Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. have reportedly agreed to a battle on February twenty second in Riyadh for Vergil’s WBC interim junior title. It’s nonetheless not official, however the two have verbally agreed.
Ennis should bulk up just a little so he can have an opportunity in opposition to the heavy artillery that Vergil will likely be bombing him with. Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire reviews that Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) and Ortiz Jr (22-0, 21 KOs) have agreed.
You bought to present Boots credit score for bravery in taking this battle as a result of Vergil Jr. is a minimize above, and all improper for him on paper.
Apparently, Boots and Ortiz Jr. have agreed to battle at 154 as a result of Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, had mentioned in an interview on Tuesday that the battle might be at 147. Ennis wants each probability he can get to win after how he seemed in his final battle in opposition to Karen Chukhadzhian on November ninth.
There aren’t any phrases to explain how unhealthy Boots seemed in that battle. Karen, who couldn’t miss his punches, hit him with every thing however the kitchen sink and clowned him in entrance of Boots’ followers on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia.
That may slant issues in Ennis’ favor as a result of Vergil Jr. had outgrown the welterweight division two years in the past in 2022 and could be placing his well being in danger making an attempt to return. At 154, you’d need to make Vergil the favourite as a result of Boots has seemed poor in his final two fights in opposition to Karen and David Avanesyan.
It’s a tough battle for Boots to absorb his first attempt at 154, however he’s obtained to do one thing. He’s not getting the fights he needs at 147 in opposition to any of the opposite champions, and his future is restricted if he stays. Transferring as much as 154 may assist Ennis, supplied he doesn’t crumble instantly in his conflict in opposition to Vergil.
If Ennis loses this battle to Ortiz Jr, it is going to be enjoyable to see Hearn’s response. Watching Boots’ ship get scuttled by Vergil on February twenty second will put Hearn in a predicament the place he’ll must resolve on whether or not to undertake an costly Joshua-type rebuild job or wash his palms of him, viewing him as a mistake.
When Hearn signed Ennis in April 2024, he seemed like pure 24k gold, the kind of fighter whose worth may proceed rising for years. However after watching Ennis wrestle in his two fights beneath his helm in opposition to Avanesyan and Chukhadzhian, Hearn rapidly came upon that he obtained all of it improper. Ennis is fools’ gold, and Hearn clearly blew it.
SEE YALL SOON ✌🏾 #KTSE pic.twitter.com/roeaPJC6Vq
— Boots (@JaronEnnis) November 26, 2024
