Jaron Ennis has come under scrutiny following the cancellation of an anticipated fight between himself and interim WBC super welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. According to reports, they had planned for it to happen as part of February 22nd card in Riyadh Saudi Arabia but ultimately fell through, even with an agreement reached verbally for 154-pound bout.
Boxing journalist Dan Rafael disclosed that when Ennis cancelled, event organizers began considering WBC and WBO super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora as his replacement. Ortiz manager Rick Mirigian has strongly condemned Ennis and his team, accusing them of breaking an agreed upon weight category commitment by not appearing.
Mirigian highlighted prior statements from Ennis post his fight against Karen Chukhadzhian, where Ennis expressed interest in moving up to the 154-pound division. Similarly, Mirigian called out Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, for previously acknowledging Ennis’ struggle to maintain performance at 147 pounds and suggesting a move up might be necessary.
In addition to presenting these points, Mirigian criticized Ennis’ team for allegedly backpedaling on their agreement and questioned the sincerity of their intent to engage in what was projected as a career-defining payday for Ennis. He framed Ennis’ actions as a deliberate avoidance of a significant opportunity in the boxing world.
Following the bout’s cancellation, Dan Rafael shared insights into what may have caused the talks to disintegrate. According to Rafael, Ennis’ camp wanted Ortiz Jr. to drop to 147 pounds, a request Rafael deemed unrealistic given Ortiz Jr.’s past difficulties with making weight at that category.
Eddie Hearn’s recent statements have further clouded the picture by intimating Ennis is targeting fights at 147 pounds to ensure undisputed status within this division, prompting further doubt about its true cause; Rafael later labeled these last-minute demands as disingenuous.
As negotiations collapsed, boxing fans remain dismayed at what could have been an epic fight between Ennis and Ortiz Jr.. However, speculation still abounds regarding who Ennis will face next and many are hoping a showdown with Ortiz Jr. is still possible in the near future.