From the promotional aspect, the tone has hardened. Oscar De La Hoya has mentioned he’s ready to maneuver on after not receiving a response from Ennis promoter Eddie Hearn to a proposed purse break up. That public stance could also be leverage, or it might be a real sign that endurance is working out. Both method, it has shifted the dialog from anticipation to attrition.
Ortiz supervisor Rick Mirigian has pushed again on the concept talks are completed, saying he stays approved to barter immediately. That element issues. It suggests the battle shouldn’t be useless a lot as poorly routed, caught between camps ready for the opposite aspect to blink.
Analysts have largely agreed on one level. The fighters usually are not the issue. Chris Algieri has described the scenario as a regular negotiation stalemate formed by egos and competing pursuits. Paulie Malignaggi has been much less diplomatic, arguing that Ortiz has already proven his willingness to take dangers, whereas Ennis now faces better strain to exhibit the identical intent.
The broader junior middleweight panorama provides little aid. All 4 main titleholders are already booked. Xander Zayas, Abass Baraou, and Bakhram Murtazaliev are scheduled for January, whereas Sebastian Fundora is anticipated to face Keith Thurman later within the spring. Ortiz holds an interim belt with out a clear vacation spot. Ennis is new to the load and nonetheless ready for a defining task.
Hypothesis has stuffed the area. Errol Spence Jr. has been talked about alongside Tim Tszyu, whereas Jermell Charlo hovers as a theoretical choice if the division reshuffles. Even Garcia has questioned whether or not these paths make sense proper now.
There has additionally been quiet discuss of out of doors cash stepping in to pressure progress, with Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh talked about as a doable bridge. Whether or not that avenue nonetheless exists, given strained relationships behind the scenes, is unclear.
For now, Ortiz versus Ennis stays the plain battle that no person appears in a position to finalize. Boxing has an extended historical past of letting readability slip whereas negotiations grind on. This example is beginning to really feel like one other entry on that checklist.
