Khalil Coe will face Jesse Hart in the chief support to Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ super-welterweight debut at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 11.
Ennis takes on Uisma Lima in a WBA final eliminator at 154 that is yet to catch the public’s imagination. However, the co-main event provides its own storyline with Coe (10-1-1, 8 KOs) stepping into the toughest test of his career against hometown favorite Hart (31-3, 25 KOs).
Fresh off avenging his only defeat to Manuel Gallegos in May, “Big Steppa” Coe reclaimed the USWBC title in Guadalajara. Now, the 28-year-old from New Jersey must prove he can handle a seasoned former world title challenger.
Hart, 36, has knocked out three straight opponents since his 2023 return and sees Coe as a springboard back toward major fights at light-heavyweight.
Heavyweights collide
Canada’s unbeaten Alexis Barriere (12-0, 10 KOs) puts his record on the line against Italian contender Guido Vianello (13-3-1, 11 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight belt.
Barriere halted Ubaldo Resendiz in his last outing, but Vianello, who went the distance with Richard Torres Jr., wants to prove he still belongs at the world level.
Title action at welterweight
Jose Roman (14-1, 6 KOs) defends his WBA Continental North America Welterweight strap against undefeated Philly man Tahmir Smalls (15-0, 11 KOs).
Roman upset Jalil Hackett for the belt in December, while Smalls features in his ten-round debut after scoring three consecutive stoppages, including a highlight KO on Ennis’ April Atlantic City bill.
Prelims confirmed
Zaquin Moses (4-0, 3 KOs) vs Antonio Dunton El Jr. (6-4-2, 2 KOs) – six rounds, super-feather
Giorgio Visioli (8-0, 6 KOs) vs James Wilkins (13-3, 6 KOs) – eight rounds, super-feather
Harley Mederos (8-0, 7 KOs) – lightweight, six rounds
Dennis Thompson (7-0, 5 KOs) – super-bantam, six rounds
Justin Palmieri (5-0, 3 KOs) – lightweight, six rounds
Tickets for Ennis vs Lima, topped by the Boots homecoming at 154, are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com and Events365.com.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.