ALL roads lead towards a mega showdown between Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jaron Ennis in 2026, says Oscar De La Hoya.
The two unbeaten contenders have been on a collision course for quite some time, yet only now has their eagerly awaited matchup reached a particularly promising juncture.
Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), has, of course, already become a unified world champion, with a sixth-round stoppage victory over Eimantas Stanionis representing by far the most significant moment of his career.
But despite merging the IBF and WBA welterweight titles last April, ‘Boots’ has since decided to relinquish his two belts and move up to 154lbs.
Regarding his first outing at the new weight, meanwhile, it would appear that Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is targeting a potential date in October.
Josh Kelly, as it happens, has been mooted as a possible opponent, while several alternative options are seemingly being explored ahead of Ennis’ super-welterweight debut.
But interestingly enough, Ortiz, 23-0 (21 KOs), is now set to join the 28-year-old by fighting in October, with his promoter, De La Hoya, teasing a meaningful matchup towards the end of 2025.
“We want to put [Ortiz] in against a monster, obviously, because he’s ready for everybody,” the Golden Boy boss said earlier this morning, during the DAZN broadcast for Oscar Duarte vs Kenneth Sims Jr.
“We’re looking at maybe October to get him back [in the ring], against somebody obviously in the top five, top two, top three – whatever it might be – but Vergil Ortiz will be back very soon.”
Ortiz comes off a comprehensive points victory over former world champion Israil Madrimov, which followed his far more contentious majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk.
And while, unlike Ennis, he is yet to earn a shot at world honours, the 27-year-old has nonetheless positioned himself as the leading challenger for Sebastian Fundora’s full WBC strap.
For De La Hoya, though, a clash with Ennis, which could materialise early next year, would perhaps represent a more appealing option than any major title fight.
“That fight is inevitable,” he said. “I believe that ‘Boots’ is a tremendous boxer-puncher. He’s got the ring IQ, he’s got the confidence… He’s a star.
“But [with] Vergil Ortiz, when he’s right in front of you, there’s nowhere to hide. I cannot wait for that fight to happen.”
