Ennis says negotiations stalled and now targets champions at super welterweight
Jaron Ennis says the long-discussed fight with Vergil Ortiz is no longer happening. The former unified welterweight champion is now targeting the titleholders at 154 pounds.
The unbeaten fighters had been linked to a major clash since late last year. Their rivalry intensified in November when Ortiz stopped Erickson Lubin inside two rounds and Ennis entered the ring afterward for a face-off.
At the time, the matchup appeared close to becoming reality.
Ennis had recently moved up from welterweight and made an immediate statement at super welterweight. In October he stopped Uisma Lima in the first round to claim the vacant WBA interim title at 154 pounds.
Ortiz followed with his dominant win over Lubin one month later.
Momentum for the fight slowed after Ortiz became involved in a legal dispute with promoter Oscar De La Hoya. Golden Boy Promotions recently secured a court ruling granting its motion to compel arbitration with Ortiz, creating uncertainty around his immediate future in the ring.
Ennis addressed the situation directly on social media, stating that he had waited long enough for the fight to materialize.
“I did everything In my power to make this fight happen for the fans. I waited long enough and I stayed quiet through it all. It looks like Vergil or his team really didnt want to fight.
“I came to his fight in his home town and told him he was next. That was November, it’s March and still nothing. It’s time to move on. Two division champion up next. I told y’all the truth was gone come to the light.”
With the Ortiz fight now unlikely in the near term, Ennis appears set to pursue one of the champions at super welterweight.
The division currently features Xander Zayas holding the WBA and WBO titles, Josh Kelly as the IBF champion, and Sebastian Fundora in possession of the WBC belt.
A fight against any of those champions would give Ennis the opportunity to become a two-division titleholder.