Brian Norman Sr. says Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has asked for $10 million in a guaranteed purse for a fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. to happen.
No Turki, No Payday
Norman Sr questions whether the fight can realistically happen without Turki Alalshikh’s involvement. He states that, thus far, Turki isn’t involved in this fight. He says Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) won’t get his $10 million asking price because Turki won’t pay that much for that fight. In other words, it’s not big enough.
Without Turki’s involvement, financially, it would require the promoters of the Ortiz Jr. vs. Ennis event to take a significant risk by paying both fighters their guaranteed purses. If they’re asking for $10 million a piece, it would have to do good numbers on PPV and bring in a large gate.
Vergil Jr. (24-0, 22 KOs) doesn’t have a large following, nor does Ennis, compared to the fighters that Turki has paid big money to in the past, like Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney.
Vergil Jr. has been operating at a lower level throughout his career. Although Ennis is a former unified welterweight champion, he’s passed up the fights that would have made a name for him, such as against Teofimo Lopez, Haney, and Terence Crawford.
Boots Aims Too High
“It was a hell of a confidence booster for Vergil. It’s got to,” said Brian Norman Sr. to MillCity Boxing when asked if the Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron Ennis fight would happen next. ”
The confidence-booster that Norman Sr. is referring to is Vergil Jr’s second-round knockout of Erickson Lubin (27-3, 19 KOs) last Saturday night on November 8 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. When Norman Sr. says, “It’s got to,” he’s talking about the Ortiz Jr. vs. Ennis fight.
Golden Boy’s “Upper Hand” Talk
The problem is, Vergil Jr’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, is already talking about them having the “upper hand” in the negotiations with Ennis. He’s also mentioned Ortiz Jr. having other options for his next fight.
Ennis Wants Canelo Money
“I think that the problem is one of them, the one that was screaming. ‘Let’s get this money,'” said Norman Sr. about Jaron Ennis wanting $10 million for the Vergil Jr. fight. “And again, of course, you’re going to think people I’m hating on s***, but I’m a realist. The one that was screaming get this money was asking for $10 million. That’s what the reports were. y’all can go look for that.
“Turki Alalshikh so far isn’t involved in this. He ain’t going to get $10 million. I don’t think Turki Alalshikh could pay him $10 million. Not for that fight [Ortiz Jr.]. He’s paid in the past for other fighters, but it’s a bit excessive [for Ortiz Jr. vs. Spence], because I know how he works,” says Norman Sr.
If Turki doesn’t get involved, Golden Boy and Matchroom will need to determine if they can meet the asking price for their fighters. It’s not worth it for Golden Boy to make this fight now because it’s risky, and Vergil still needs to build his popularity up before he takes on a fighter of Ennis’ caliber.
