Eddie Hearn announces Boots Ennis has transformed from a secondary fighter to a dominant title contender. The ambitious junior middleweight now controls negotiations with Vergil Ortiz Jr. following significant career growth.
“He was taking the smaller side of the piece last time. He was going to be the B-side. He agreed to everything that they wanted to get that opportunity. So you imagine how he feels now that he’s king of the castle,” said Hearn to the media about Ennis’ position in negotiations with Vergil Ortiz Jr.
“Vergil doesn’t have anything Boots wants other than a big fight and a big payday. What does Boots want to do now? He wants to unify.”
“I don’t rule out that Ortiz fight at all. One thing is for sure. He ain’t close at all at the moment.“
Ennis’ strategic shift reflects his ascension to unified champion status with two world titles. Current discussions prioritize completing the junior middleweight undisputed set rather than pursuing the Ortiz Jr. matchup. Hearn highlights Ortiz’s limited leverage, stating: “T paid nothing compared to current offers.”
While Golden Boy remains open to finalizing the Ortiz Jr. bout if financial terms align with premium offers, Ennis’ immediate focus centers on matches against Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora. The promoter emphasizes the need for “market-clearing” offers to divert Ennis from the undisputed path.
“Tell us what the money is. And I’ll go to Jaron, and I’ll say, ‘We got Kelly, Fundora, or Ortiz,’” said Hearn.
Without Turki Alalshikh’s financial backing, Ortiz Jr.’s appeal diminishes for Ennis. The fighter prefers matches offering immediate title unification opportunities over delayed multi-fight concessions.
A fight remains available with Vergil Ortiz Jr., but Hearn emphasizes the negotiation power has shifted. Golden Boy must now present an offer that matches Ennis’ current value as a unified champion rather than offering secondary opportunities.
Tom Galm is a boxing journalist who has covered the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends, and fighter psychology.
