Whereas it was thought a deal had just about been thrashed out for Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz to struggle each other within the first quarter of subsequent yr – actually Eddie Hearn felt a deal between he and Golden Boy had all-but been agreed to at a gathering that befell in the summertime – Hearn is now making different plans simply in case Ortiz doesn’t take the struggle.
Each Ennis and Ortiz have enterprise to take care of earlier than they’ll struggle anyone else — “Boots” will struggle Uisma Lima in his 154 pound debut this Saturday, whereas Ortiz will face Erickson Lubin in November. However after that, properly, Hearn thought the deal was all-but in place: it might be Ennis vs. Ortiz within the early a part of 2026. Now, in talking with Ring Journal, the Matchroom boss has made it clear he’s not so certain the struggle will occur subsequent. And Hearn has two different fighters in thoughts for who Ennis might struggle subsequent as an alternative.
Hearn Says The Ennis-Ortiz Deal Was “All However Agreed”
“I’ll be sincere with you, it’s a bit unusual,” Hearn stated. “I imply, we sat within the DAZN [headquarters], with DAZN, prime brasses at DAZN, US guys. And principally, all of us agreed – myself, Oscar [De La Hoya], Eric Gomez, DAZN, that this was the [deal] for the struggle. It will happen in Las Vegas, within the first quarter of 2026. Pay attention, you already know, they’ve (Workforce-Ortiz) received their struggle developing. However I hope – and I do know that Oscar desires to make one of the best fights – that’s the greatest struggle in boxing. So, so long as they comply with all of the phrases that we agreed on in that room, the struggle occurs. Now, if Vergil desires to be on his time and all that form of stuff, then there’s nothing you are able to do about it.
“We’ll go and struggle [Bakhram] Murtazaliev or we’ll struggle [Sebastian] Fundora.”
Hearn underlined the vow, that Ennis, after he has overwhelmed Lima, will struggle “Anybody. Anybody can get it – anyone!”
If Ortiz Stalls, Ennis May Face Murtazaliev Or Fundora
Whereas “Boots” in opposition to both Murtazaliev, actually the boogeyman of the 154 pound division, or Fundora, arguably one of the best confirmed fighter on the weight, can be good, fascinating fights, the one we wish is Ennis-Ortiz. Who is aware of if Hearn is correct to be feeling a bit “unusual” or uncertain about what Ortiz might decide to do after the Lubin struggle or not. Ortiz is a confirmed warrior so one would suppose he wouldn’t be seeking to duck Ennis, or anyone else.
All we will do is wait and see how issues play out. However from what Hearn says, a deal was all-but agreed to when the powers that be got here collectively at DAZN HQ a number of months again. Let’s now hope Ortiz and Ennis each signal on for what might show to be the primary epic struggle of 2026.
