A MOUTHWATERING mingle between super-welterweight duo Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has been agreed for early 2026, according to Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn. It is contingent on both men winning interim bouts against unnamed foes around October.
Ennis has only just moved up to 154 pounds, but is clearly intent on making his presence felt by accepting a fight that has been in the making over the past couple of years, but never found a way over the line, until now.
“Obviously, he was unified champion at 147, vacating those belts, and we’ve just signed a multi-fight, multi-year extension with Jaron Ennis. This fight is about fighting someone in the top 10 of the governing bodies, and it’s a real fight,” Hearn explained to Boxing News.
“You’re going to get moaned at, and you’re going to get people saying, ‘I don’t know a lot about this guy’, but the fight that he’s chose, I think is one of the best, one of the most aggressive, one of the most dangerous out there, and he has signed to fight Vergil Ortiz.
“We had a meeting recently with Golden Boy and DAZN. We discussed a very, very straightforward deal between those two fighters, and Jaron Ennis has signed to fight Ortiz next. I believe Ortiz will sign too, and then you will get one of the best fights in British [sic] boxing in early 2026, very early 2026.
“So, this fight’s all about Boots, his first fight at ‘54, I think he’s going to be such a beast in the new weight class, back to Philly for a big night, and then Vergil Ortiz it is, already signed, we’re in.”
While Eddie insists that it isn’t a call on Ortiz to sign the contract, he expects things to run relatively smoothly. This is the kind of battle of unbeatens boxing has been crying out for.
Two hungry boxers at world level, risking their respective records for glory. Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), has enjoyed a new lease of life since hooking up with Hearn and left 147 with two titles strapped proudly around his waist.
Ortiz Jr, meanwhile, has settled nicely into life at the weight, now boasting a 23-0 (21 KOs) slate after smashing through a list of opponents at welterweight. His 2024 WBC Interim title win over Serhii Bohachuk was a highlight. A first defence win over Israil Madrimov in Riyadh further showcased his prowess.
Now, Ortiz Jr puts that title on the line -contract pending- against Philadelphia’s Ennis in an intriguing clash of top-class talent.
