Eddie Hearn Starting to Get impatient on Ennis–Ortiz Talks

Time Working Against the Fight

Ennis, widely known as “Boots,” is due back in the ring toward the end of March, with April viewed as a possible but undesirable alternative. Hearn made it clear that waiting indefinitely for Ortiz is not an option.

“Boots is due to fight at the end of March,” Hearn said. “Could that go to April? Maybe. But we don’t want it to. We have to make our own moves.”

Despite the mounting frustration, Hearn emphasized that the appeal of the matchup remains unmatched.

“With all due respect to Vergil Ortiz, he doesn’t do anything other than people saying he might be the best 154-pounder in the world,” Hearn said. “And that’s the same for Jaron as well. That’s why the fight makes so much sense because it’s the best facing the best.”

No Champion, No Leverage

Unlike many stalled negotiations, neither fighter holds a junior middleweight title, removing any clear leverage from either side. That, according to Hearn, should make the deal easier not harder.

“It’s not like Ortiz is the champion and we have to sing to his tune,” Hearn said. “We’re being as courteous as we can, but sooner or later, we are going to have to make another move.”

Hearn didn’t mince words about what it would mean if the fight falls apart.

“It will be a very sad day for boxing if Vergil Ortiz doesn’t take that fight,” he said. “Everyone knows that’s the best fight that can be made in American boxing right now.”

Where Both Fighters Stand

Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs), a Grand Prairie, Texas native, last fought November 8, stopping Erickson Lubin in the second round. He is currently rated No. 1 by The Ring at 154 pounds.

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs, 1 NC), the former Ring, IBF and WBA welterweight champion, made his junior middleweight debut on October 11, scoring a first-round knockout of Uisma Lima. He sits at No. 6 in The Ring’s 154-pound rankings.

Josh Kelly Emerges as a Backup Plan

If Ennis–Ortiz ultimately collapses, Hearn revealed that Matchroom already has a contingency plan in place.

Ennis could face Josh Kelly provided Kelly upsets IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31 in Newcastle, England.

“Josh Kelly can win that fight,” Hearn said. “And if he wins that fight, we already have an agreement in place for him to fight Boots Ennis.”