Jaron Ennis will not be fighting Vergil Ortiz next.
The fight looked all set to go ahead on the highly-anticipated February 22 Riyadh Season card, with IBF Welterweight Champion Ennis slated to move up in weight to face knockout artist Ortiz for his WBC Super-Welterweight Interim belt.
That was until today. Dan Rafael reports negotiations have collapsed after Ennis’ team attempted to change the fight at welterweight at the last minute.
The news led Hall of Fame fighter Tim Bradley to accuse ‘Boots’ of ducking Ortiz. Ortiz released a statement in the wake of the news.
“I’ve always said I’ll fight anybody and I remained true to my word. Every single person that I have been offered to fight I said yes. It takes 2 to tango in boxing, so if I’m not in that ring fighting someone, know it’s not my fault! Time for some of you guys to stop saying I’m ducking and don’t wanna fight because that’s not the case this time and never was.”
It was some hours before Ennis spoke out. When he did, he appeared to suggest that he wasn’t aware of the match-up in the first place despite the considerable hype and his own promoter talking it up on various occasions.
“I seen the rumours on social media just like y’all did. As far as the fight with me and Vergil I was unaware that alleged negotiations was being made on my end. From here on out if it didn’t come from ME and ME only don’t believe it and i will address if I’m staying at 47 or moving up to 54 at a later date and time.”
Rafael reports that WBC Champion Sebastian Fundora has been approached to face Ortiz on the same card. Where Ennis goes next is unclear as of writing.
