Vergil Ortiz Jr. reacted on social media to Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’s decision not to accept the fight against him on February 22nd. Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) let his followers know that it wasn’t his fault that the fight with Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) wasn’t happening.
Was Ennis Serious?
Fans are criticizing Boots for having 147 written into the paperwork for the fight negotiations with WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Jr., which suggested he was never serious about fighting him.
There was no way Ortiz, 26, could drain down to fight with Boots at 147 without risking his health. Ortiz moved up to 154 because he’d been suffering health problems back in 2022, getting down to 147. That was the last year he fought in that division.
It’s unclear whose idea it was on Boots Ennis’ team to write 147 in as the weight for the fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. Ennis is promoted by Eddie Hearn.
Ideally, he should have nixed that idea to prevent the mess this episode caused because there was no chance that Vergil Jr. would agree to a fight at 147.
Did Team Ennis believe that Vergil Jr. would agree to the 147 weight because the money would be good and the amount of attention the fight would have received if they’d fought on the loaded February 22nd card in Riyadh? In other words, were they testing Vergil to see if he was gullible enough to agree to this weight?
If Vergil had agreed to fight at 147, it would have given Boots Ennis a huge advantage, fighting a weakened, skeletal Vergil Jr., who would have been drained and helpless at the weight.
This whole episode hurts Boots Ennis’ popularity because he should have known better. The only way this fight could have happened is if Boots went up to 154 to challenge Vergil Jr. for his WBC interim belt. Ennis should have agreed to that because the way things are now, he’s perceived as ducking him.
Boots’ promoter Eddie Hearn said he wants to stay at 147 and unify the division. He doesn’t want to give up his IBF welterweight title. He shouldn’t have bothered to negotiate with Vergil Jr if that was the case.
Vergil Jr’s Statement
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…
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) November 30, 2024