Trainer Robert Garcia is targeting a November bout against unified champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis for light-middleweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. Team Ortiz has ruled out a tune-up fight, insisting on pursuing the division’s biggest match despite holding minimal promotional leverage.
Ortiz Jr. has returned to training camp with the singular objective of securing the contest against Ennis. Negotiations between the two camps have previously stalled on two occasions, but Garcia confirmed that Golden Boy Promotions and adviser Rick Mirigian are actively seeking the match.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Garcia outlined the team’s priority: ““We’re pushing for the Boots fight because that’s the biggest fight out there of that division. That’s the biggest fight. That’s the fight that we want because I think we already owe it to ourselves and to the world,””
Garcia emphasized that both sides need to finalize the contract after previous delays: ““It’s already been twice where things go back and forth and then the fight doesn’t happen. That’s the fight Golden Boy is going to push for. We’re pushing for. Our first choice is to go after Boots, hopefully by November.””
Despite Ortiz facing a recent period of inactivity, his camp remains adamant that a warm-up contest is unnecessary before taking on a unified champion.
Addressing whether Ortiz required a preliminary outing, Garcia said: ““No, no. There’s no need for a tuneup. We’re going after Boots. That’s the fight we’re going after for November,””
However, Ennis holds three world titles at 154 pounds, giving his team control over scheduling. Ennis could instead pursue unification fights against IBF champion Josh Kelly or WBC titleholder Sebastian Fundora. Such fights would consolidate his status across the division while potentially delaying an encounter with Ortiz until 2027.
Garcia questioned whether a unification with Kelly was feasible before the end of the year, citing an injury suffered by the British boxer.
““They also mentioned something about unifying for the IBF against Kelly, but Kelly got a big cut. There’s no way he’ll be ready by November or December. If they force him to fight, it’s because they definitely don’t want nothing to do with Virgil. The fight to do is him against Virgil,”” Garcia stated.
Without a major world belt, Ortiz remains dependent on Ennis accepting the challenge. Should Ennis prioritize alternative unification bouts, Ortiz faces an extended wait for his title opportunity.
