Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. have reportedly agreed to a combat 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 must bulk up just a little so he can have an opportunity towards the heavy artillery that Vergil shall be bombing him with. Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire experiences that Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) and Ortiz Jr (22-0, 21 KOs) have agreed.
You bought to provide Boots credit score for bravery in taking this combat as a result of Vergil Jr. is a reduce above, and all incorrect for him on paper.
Curiously, Boots and Ortiz Jr. have agreed to combat at 154 as a result of Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, had stated in an interview on Tuesday that the combat could possibly be at 147. Ennis wants each probability he can get to win after how he regarded in his final combat towards Karen Chukhadzhian on November ninth.
There aren’t any phrases to explain how dangerous Boots regarded in that combat. Karen, who couldn’t miss his punches, hit him with every part however the kitchen sink and clowned him in entrance of Boots’ followers on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia.
That might 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 attempting to return. At 154, you’d need to make Vergil the favourite as a result of Boots has regarded poor in his final two fights towards Karen and David Avanesyan.
It’s a tough combat for Boots to absorb his first attempt at 154, however he’s bought to do one thing. He’s not getting the fights he needs at 147 towards any of the opposite champions, and his future is restricted if he stays. Shifting as much as 154 may assist Ennis, offered he doesn’t collapse instantly in his conflict towards Vergil.
If Ennis loses this combat to Ortiz Jr, will probably 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 fingers of him, viewing him as a mistake.
When Hearn signed Ennis in April 2024, he regarded like pure 24k gold, the kind of fighter whose worth may proceed growing for years. However after watching Ennis battle in his two fights below his helm towards Avanesyan and Chukhadzhian, Hearn rapidly discovered that he bought all of it incorrect. Ennis is fools’ gold, and Hearn clearly blew it.
SEE YALL SOON ✌🏾 #KTSE pic.twitter.com/roeaPJC6Vq
— Boots (@JaronEnnis) November 26, 2024
