Brian Norman Sr. says Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has asked for $10 million in guaranteed purse for a fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr.
No Turki, no payday
Norman Sr questions whether the fight can realistically happen without Turki Alalshikh’s involvement. He states that Turki is not involved in this fight so far. He says Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) won’t get his $10 million asking price because Turki won’t pay that much for that fight. In other words, it’s not big enough.
Without Turki’s involvement, financially, it would have cost the promoters of the Ortiz Jr. vs. Ennis event requires taking a significant risk by paying both fighters their guaranteed purses. If they’re asking $10 million a piece, it’s going to have to do good numbers on PPV and bring in a big gate.
Vergil Jr. (24-0, 22 KOs) doesn’t have a huge following, and neither does Ennis, compared to the fighters Turki has paid big money to in the past, like Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.
Vergil Jr. worked at a lower level throughout his career. Although Ennis is a former unified welterweight champion, he passed up the fights that would have made his name, such as against Teofimo Lopez, Haney and Terence Crawford.
Boots aim too high
“It was one hell of a confidence booster for Vergil. It should,” Brian Norman Sr. said. MillCity Boxing when asked if the Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron Ennis fight would take place next. “
The confidence booster that Norman Sr. refers to is Vergil Jr.’s second round knockout of Erickson Lubin (27-3, 19 KOs) last Saturday night on November 8th at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. When Norman Sr. says, “It has to,” he says of the Ortiz Jr. vs. Ennis battle.
Golden Boy’s “Upper Hand” speech
The problem is, Vergil Jr’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, is already talking about having the “upper hand” in the negotiations with Ennis. He also mentioned that Ortiz Jr. other options fought for his next.
Ennis wants Canelo money
“I think the problem is one of them, the one who yelled, ‘Let’s get this money,'” Norman Sr. said. said about Jaron Ennis wanting $10 million for the Vergil Jr. fight. “And again, of course, you’re going to think people I hate on s***, but I’m a realist. The one who was clamoring to get this money was asking for $10 million. That’s what the reports were. You can all go for it.
“Turki Alalshikh is not involved in this so far. He’s not going to get $10 million. I don’t think Turki Alalshikh can pay him $10 million. Not for that fight (Ortiz Jr.). He’s paid other fighters in the past, but it’s a little excessive (for Ortiz Jr. vs. Spence), I say the way he works,” Norman said.
If Turki doesn’t get involved, Golden Boy and Matchroom will have to determine if they can meet the asking price for their fighters. It’s not worth it for Golden Boy to make this fight now because it’s risky, and Vergil still needs to build up his popularity before facing a fighter of Ennis’ caliber.
Last updated on 11/09/2025
