Unbeaten welterweight contender Delante Johnson, who has sparred Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jaron Ennis, believes that one has ‘extra instruments in his bag.’
The 2 undefeated super-welterweight operators have been on a collision course since their days at 147lbs however, even now, it could appear that their all-American conflict stays a number of steps away from materialising.
However, there’s nonetheless hope that sooner or later later this 12 months the pair will lastly lock horns in what guarantees to be a very fascinating affair.
Ortiz has established himself because the extra confirmed contender at 154lbs, significantly with factors victories over Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk.
It was then a two-round demolition job in opposition to Erickson Lubin, which happened in November, that cemented the 27-year-old as one in every of his division’s most formidable punchers.
Ennis, in the meantime, was capable of outshine his home rival at welterweight, changing into a unified world champion following his sixth-round stoppage victory over Eimantas Stanionis in April 2025.
After that, ‘Boots’ made the choice to maneuver up in weight and confronted Uisma Lima, who he ruthlessly dispatched in a single spherical final October.
Since then, a battle between Ortiz and Ennis has been teased by Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, who promotes the latter, as a real chance for this 12 months.
Followers maintain out hope, nonetheless latest feedback from Ortiz’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, and his supervisor, Rick Mirigian, don’t bode properly for the battle’s possibilities.
If it does, Delante Johnson, who spoke with YSM Sports activities Media, is pretty much as good a person to charge the pair as any. After a number of rounds of sparring with each Ennis and Ortiz, he was requested to match and distinction.
“I really feel like Vergil has good timing, and he’s robust. And he has good head motion when he’s being aggressive, strolling any person down.
“However I really feel like ‘Boots’ has extra instruments in his bag. He can swap from [orthodox to southpaw], he’s bought velocity, energy, [and] he’s bought actually good timing.
“His footwork is actual good and he’s artful and good.”
Whether or not the latest performances of Ortiz have modified Johnson’s thoughts, it stays to be seen, however the American nonetheless appears extra satisfied by the flashy abilities of Ennis.
