Turki Alalshikh’s mention of wanting to match Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. in a 154-lb bout in November has fans amped up but skeptical whether the fight will happen.
Ennis vs. Ortiz: Will It Happen?
It’s a fight that could elevate Boots Ennis to stardom if he looks impressive defeating the unbeaten Vergil Jr. Beating him would do more for the Matchroom-promoted Jaron’s career than any of his previous wins in his nine-year resume.
On the flipside, if Ennis loses badly, he would need to consider other career options, like moving up to 160. He’s big enough to fight at middleweight, and the division is barren of talent. It would be perfect for Boots if he’s beaten by Vergil Jr.
Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) already turned down what would have been the biggest payday of his career to fight Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) on Turki’s February 22nd card in Riyadh. It was a wasted opportunity for Boots in a fight that would have increased his star power if he’d won.
He reportedly declined an $8 million offer to fight Vergil Jr. at that time, opting to stay at 147 to face WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis in a unification fight last April. That was a bad look on Boots Ennis’ part, turning down a career-high payday to take a smaller money fight against Stanionis.
Turki is going to try to make the Ennis-Ortiz Jr. fight for November, along with three other big fights. “We are talking now with all of our friends about doing a card in November. I hope to have [Vergil] Ortiz against Boots [Ennis],” said Alalshikh to Ring Magazine.
November Riyadh Card
- Moses Itauma vs. Martin Bakole
- Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr.
- William Zepeda vs. Andy Cruz
- Christian Mbilli vs. Lester Martinez
Assuming Ennis agrees to fight Vergil Jr., it’s going to be an excellent fight in his debut at 154. The former IBF and WBA welterweight champion Boots won’t have to drain down quite so much as he had when he was fighting at 147. He’ll still need to lose some weight, but it shouldn’t leave him with a skeletal appearance, as it did when he was fighting at welterweight.