Vergil Ortiz Jr. reacted on social media to Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ decision not to accept the fight against him on February 22nd. Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KOs) let his followers know that it wasn’t his fault the fight with Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) didn’t happen.
Was Ennis serious?
Fans are criticizing Boots for writing 147 in the paperwork for the fight negotiations with WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Jr., suggesting he was never serious about fighting him.
There was no way Ortiz, 26, could drain to fight Boots at 147 without putting his health at risk. Ortiz moved up to 154 because he had health issues in 2022 and dropped to 147. This was the last year he fought in that division.
It is unclear whose idea it was on Boots Ennis’ team to enter 147 as the weight for the fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. Ennis being promoted by Eddie Hearn.
Ideally, he should have scrapped that idea to prevent the mess this episode caused, because there was no way Vergil Jr. would agree to a fight at 147.
Did Team Ennis believe that Vergil Jr. would agree to the 147 weight because the money would be good and the amount of attention the fight would get if they fought on the loaded February 22nd card in Riyadh? In other words, were they testing Vergil to see if he was gullible enough to agree to this weight?
If Vergil had agreed to fight at 147, it would have given Boots Ennis a huge advantage, against a weakened, skeletal Vergil Jr., who would be drained and helpless at the weight.
This whole episode hurts Boots Ennis’ popularity because he should have known better. The only way this fight could have happened is if Boots went up to 154 to beat Vergil Jr. to challenge for his WBC interim belt. Ennis must have agreed to this, because as things stand now, he is perceived as ducking.
Boots’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, said he wanted to stay at 147 and unify the division. He does not want to give up his IBF welterweight title. He shouldn’t have bothered to negotiate with Vergil Jr if that was the case.
Vergil Jr’s statement
I always said I would fight anyone and I stayed true to my word. Every single person I was offered to fight, I said yes. It takes 2 to tango in boxing, so if I’m not in that ring and someone fights, know it’s not my fault! Time for some of you to stop saying I’m…
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) 30 November 2024
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