Eddie Hearn Questions Team Ortiz’s Commitment to Ennis Showdown

Vergil Ortiz Jr. successfully defended his WBC interim super welterweight title on November 8, 2023, at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX, by stopping Erickson Lubin in the second round. Following this victory, Ortiz engaged in a face-off with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, sparking widespread anticipation for a potential bout between the two fighters in 2026. As discussions progress, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed skepticism regarding Team Ortiz’s true desire to step into the ring with Ennis.

After Ortiz’s decisive win over Lubin, he addressed the audience and stated, “I’m in my prime. I’ll only be better from here.” He then invited Ennis, who boasts an impressive record of 35 wins with 31 knockouts, to join him for a face-off, asking, “Do you got a yes for me?” Ennis quickly affirmed, responding with a confident, “Yes.” He later declared, “It’s the best fight in boxing,” and emphasized his readiness to demonstrate his superiority in the ring.

The atmosphere turned tense as both fighters exchanged accusations about their respective teams, with Ennis delivering a pointed warning: “I’m going to make you pay for everything they said.” This confrontation has intensified the narrative surrounding what many fans believe could be a marquee matchup.

In light of the ongoing negotiations, Hearn shared his thoughts on the situation during an interview with Fight Hub TV. He highlighted concerns regarding Team Ortiz’s intentions, particularly after hearing statements about financial expectations. Hearn remarked, “Once you start hearing things like we’re the A-side and we want $10 million, Ortiz has never been a world champion.” He acknowledged both fighters’ skills but noted that neither is currently a titleholder.

Hearn urged Team Ortiz to commit to the fight, asking, “If you truly believe you’re the best, make the fight. The money’s there, the Pay-Per-Views are there. It’s a massive fight, but you can find an excuse if you don’t want to do it, so we’ll see.”

When questioned about Team Ortiz’s financial demands, Hearn maintained that a successful fight could yield substantial earnings for both athletes. “If the fight delivers, it does really well. The fighters are going to make a load of money. They’re going to make a load of money anyway,” he stated.

Expressing confidence in Ortiz’s willingness to compete, Hearn added, “We just want the fight, we just need to prove that we’re better than everybody else. But Vergil wants to fight, I have no doubt. Does the father? Does Robert Garcia? Does Rick Mirgian, probably not. Does Oscar De La Hoya? Probably not.”

As anticipation builds for a possible showdown between Ortiz and Ennis, the boxing community remains eager to see how negotiations unfold and whether Team Ortiz can align their goals with those of their rivals. The outcome could significantly shape the landscape of the super welterweight division in the coming years.