Boots, 28, is set to face Monstro, 32, in his junior middleweight debut on October 11 in Philadelphia, and trainer Norman Sr. has slammed Ennis for turning down a bout with The Soul Taker, 30, and choosing to share the ring with Lima instead.

He told MillCity Boxing: “You’re fighting a guy with 16 fights. Why would he not take that fight? That’s crazy.”

After Lima, Ennis will face Vergil Ortiz Jr., 27, early next year, though Norman Sr. thinks Tszyu would have better prepared Boots for the fight.

The trainer explained: “Tim Tszyu was a good fighter, and that was perfect for his style. That would have definitely raised his stock up.

“He doesn’t want to fight nobody that can actually fight. You couldn’t get up for Karen [Chukhadzhian], but you can get up for Uisma Lima with 15 fights.”

Terence Crawford’s, 38, coach Bernie Davis has also attacked Ennis for choosing to fight Lima.

He said: “We’re talking about a guy that has got 30 fights, not two fights. When are we going to take the training wheels off of him?

“It’s not that I dislike Boots. I’m saying put up or shut up. I’m tired of hearing about this and that. But there ain’t no proof in the pudding. Who is he?”

In August, Ennis announced he would be moving up to the junior middleweight division to face Lima.

Ennis said in a statement from Matchroom Boxing: “They can say what they want it don't make me a difference.

“These dudes can't tie my shoes. I'm the best in the world and they know it. I want all the big names and belts - the tour continues.”

Monstro said he was looking forward to “taking on the biggest challenge of [his] life” by facing Boots.

He said: “I am very excited to be taking on the biggest challenge of my life against a legit, world-level fighter in Ennis.

“I believe in myself ... we will be coming to war. Please don't take me lightly, Boots, as I am coming to win.”