Jaron Ennis looks set for the toughest test of his career.
‘Boots’ was last in action in November when he defended his IBF welterweight title against mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian.
It was an underwhelming performance from Ennis, who retained his belt by unanimous decision to extend his unbeaten record to 33-0.
In the immediate aftermath there was talk that he may need to move up from 147lbs to compete at super-welterweight in order to get the best out of his abilities, and it seems that is about to become a reality after his next fight was reported.
According to Boxing Scene, a ‘verbal agreement’ has been reached for Ennis to take on interim WBC super-welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr at 154lbs as part of the Riyadh Season event due to take place in Saudi Arabia on February 22.
Ortiz has an unbeaten record of 22-0, with 21 of those wins coming by knockout. The only time he has been the distance came in his last fight, when he recovered from two knockdowns to defeat Serhii Bohachuk by majority decision.
If ‘Boots’ is able to defeat Ortiz, it could secure him his long-craved showdown with Terence Crawford, who had been recently linked to a bout against Ortiz himself.
Crawford was last in action in August when he stepped up to 154lbs to defeat Israil Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight title.
Official confirmation on the bout between Ennis and Ortiz is expected soon, with Crawford set to be an extremely interested spectator as he looks for an opponent to return to the ring against in 2025.
