One of the biggest fights in American boxing — Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Jaron Ennis — took a small step closer to reality last night.
At the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Jaron Ennis, 35-0 (31 KOs), had a ringside seat to watch Vergil Ortiz Jr, 24-0 (22 KOs), blow away Erickson Lubin in two rounds – removing what may be the final barrier before the two super-welterweights meet in 2026.
Ennis, the former unified welterweight champion, made his own statement in October when he demolished Uisma Lima in one round on his 154lbs debut. With a unification bout between WBO and WBA champions Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou reportedly agreed for January 31, a clash between Ortiz and Ennis would be another outstanding matchup in one of boxing’s hottest divisions.
After his win last night, Ortiz Jr beckoned Ennis into the ring, and the Philadelphia fighter obliged. It didn’t take long before a heated exchange developed between the two. Ennis wants Ortiz next but still found time to praise his rival’s performance against Lubin.
“I think he did a great job. But I’m going to show why I’m the best in the world. And I’m going to show his team that been talking all crazy and Imma back it up.”
Ortiz wouldn’t back down, however, and countered:
“No one’s been talking crazy, bro. Your dad is the first one that said I was ducking. It’s on video that he said we ducked and we didn’t get no offer.”
Ennis — who continued his praise by saying his rival looked ‘tremendous’ — offered Ortiz a bet on their fight – should it happen – but the WBC interim belt-holder refused, saying he didn’t want to take the Philadelphian’s money.
Things got HEATED between Boots and Vergil Ortiz Jr. 👀#OrtizLubinpic.twitter.com/x9qZzVyvkV
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 9, 2025
Now it’s down to their promoters, Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya, along with broadcaster DAZN, to ensure this doesn’t become another must-see fight that slips through the net.
