Ennis–Ortiz Fight Stalled by Promotional Dispute
Stephen Espinoza defended Jaron “Boots” Ennis after negotiations for a proposed fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. stalled in late 2024. The bout was discussed for early 2025, but no February 22 Riyadh fight was formally announced. The matchup has still not taken place; both boxers have since moved up to junior middleweight, and their paths remain unsettled.
In December 2024, former Showtime Sports president Espinoza said Ennis should not be blamed for the failed attempt to make the fight. At the time, discussion centered on a possible 2025 matchup, with disagreement over moving Ennis from welterweight to 154 pounds among the issues reported. Contemporary coverage described negotiations rather than a signed bout agreement.
The fighters took different routes. Ennis unified the IBF and WBA welterweight titles with a win over Eimantas Stanionis in April 2025, then moved to junior middleweight. Ortiz also competed at 154 pounds, stopping Erickson Lubin in November 2025. A legal dispute between Ortiz and Golden Boy Promotions later disrupted the planned Ennis matchup and sent their disagreement to arbitration.
Ennis went on to stop Xander Zayas on June 27, 2026, winning the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles. Ortiz and Golden Boy settled their dispute in July, renewing talk of a possible fight, but no date has been announced. As of October 14, 2026, Ennis is focused on unifying the division and has a potential year-end bout with IBF champion Josh Kelly in view; Ortiz has discussed moving to middleweight. The former 2025 proposal remains unmade.
Sources
- BoxingScene: Espinoza’s December 2024 comments…
- The Ring: The proposed 2026…
- The Guardian: Ennis stops Zayas and wins two junior middleweight titles
- The Ring: October 2026 update on Ennis, Ortiz and possible next fights
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports, Ennis
