WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr’s father, Vergil Sr, denies that they turned down an offer to fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. Vergil Sr. says no offer was sent.
Boots Ennis’ dad, trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis, told Boxing News that Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) “Already asked about that and they said they turned that down.”
Vergil Sr says that’s NOT the case. Vergil Sr. seems interested in the Boots Ennis fight, and it’s understandable why. His son, Ortiz Jr., would be facing his biggest name, and there would be a lot of attention on the clash from fans watching on DAZN PPV.
“I already spoke with His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh], and we will 100% fight Vergil Ortiz,” said Eddie Hearn, who promotes Boots Ennis.
Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya said this week on Thursday on X that he wants “Vergil Ortz vs. Boots” as part of the 5 vs 5 competition with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
There would be excellent money for Vergil and Boots (32-0, 29 KOs) to make in a fight at 154. It would require courage on Ennis’ part because Vergil Ortiz Jr. is one of the best fighters at junior middleweight, and there’s an excellent chance he would defeat Boots.
Vergil Ortiz Jr. recently defeated WBC interim 154-lb champion Serhii Bohachuk by a 12-round majority decision on August 10th in Las Vegas. It was a fight of the year type of contest, with both fighters throwing thunderous bombs. Vergi Jr’s face was marked up, and he finally found someone who would stand up to his power without wilting. The scores were 114-112, 114-112 for Ortiz Jr., and 113-113.
This Saturday, November 9th, Boots is defending his IBF welterweight title against Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KOs) in a 12-round rematch at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Ennis already beat Chukhadzhian a year ago, winning a wide 12-round unanimous decision on January 7, 2023, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
It was a one-sided fight, with Boots winning against a defensive-minded Chukhadzhian by the scores 120-108 on all three of the judges’ scorecards. These are the kinds of fights that Ennis will be stuck with if he chooses to stay at welterweight rather than move up to 154 to challenge talented fighters like WBC interim champion Vergil Jr, IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev, WBC and WBO champ Sebastian Fundora and WBA belt-holder Terence Crawford.
Ennis, 27, has repeatedly told fans that he wants to stay at welterweight to collect all four belts to become undisputed. That does not look like it’s going to happen because the champions want a goldmine to fight Boots. If the money is big enough, Ennis may change his mind to face Vergil Jr. at 154 because it would be a great opportunity to increase his fame overnight if he wins.
Bozy , When did this happened??? Can you please post the offer/email/contract of when this was sent ??? Post the persons name and actual email please. That way I’m/we are able to confront the person. I don’t appreciate this person making decisions for Vergil . IF this is true . https://t.co/FlCMPNMEEH
— Vergil Ortiz (@VergilOrtizSr) November 8, 2024
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