A bold showdown could be on the horizon: Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron “Boots” Ennis may soon lock horns, with a deal potentially finalized as soon as next week. The market-ready clash is being targeted for the first quarter of 2026, signaling a marquee battle between two undefeated talents.
Ortiz, the Texas-based interim WBC 154-pound champion with a 24-0 record (22 knockouts), and Ennis, who sits at 35-0 with 31 knockouts, recently hinted at quiet negotiations on social media. Ortiz even told BoxingScene he wasn’t surprised by the slow pace, suggesting Ennis might be avoiding the matchup.
However, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez, speaking at the WBC board’s mandatory meeting, indicated active talks with Ennis’s team, led by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom. Gomez expressed optimism that a deal could be struck by next week and framed the fight as the sort of big-contest that Ortiz desires.
The key question remains: who will have the leverage if talks progress? Gomez emphasized that the priority is mutual interest from both fighters, with final terms to be hammered out with Matchroom and DAZN before presenting the complete package to Ortiz for a decision. His takeaway was clear: when both fighters want the fight, it tends to get made.
If the ongoing negotiations succeed, Ortiz is expected to face the winner of Sebastian Fundora’s upcoming defense against former welterweight champion Keith Thurman. Fundora is widely anticipated to defend his full WBC 154-pound title soon, and Ortiz has signaled plans to face the Fundora–Thurman winner next after settling the Ennis negotiations.
