Promoter Oscar De La Hoya is targeting a major fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and unified champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis for later this year. The call comes immediately after Ortiz resolved promotional issues, potentially fast-tracking a highly anticipated undefeated showdown.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis currently holds the WBO and WBA world titles at 154 pounds following his recent stoppage of Xander Zayas. His stated goal is to become the undisputed champion, a path that would require facing WBC titleholder Sebastian Fundora and IBF champion Josh Kelly. However, those unification bouts face immediate scheduling hurdles. Fundora is expected to face a mandatory challenger, and Kelly has a fight scheduled for next week. This leaves the division’s new unified champion looking for a significant opponent.
The most compelling and lucrative alternative may now be on the table. A fight between Ennis and fellow undefeated power-puncher Vergil Ortiz Jr. was reportedly being finalized earlier this year before Ortiz was sidelined. On Friday, it was confirmed that Ortiz and his promoter, Golden Boy, have resolved their issues, clearing the 28-year-old to return to the ring. The news immediately reignited talk of the matchup fans have been demanding.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya wasted no time in publicly targeting the Ennis fight. Taking to social media, he confirmed the resolution with his fighter and made his intentions clear for the remainder of 2026. De La Hoya stated: “I am extremely happy to announce that Golden Boy and Vergil Ortiz have patched things up. Let’s make the biggest fight happen: ‘Boots’ Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz this year.”
This statement signals a clear strategy. Instead of a tune-up fight for Ortiz, who has been inactive since last November, his promoter is pushing him directly into one of the most dangerous fights in boxing. A bout between Ennis and Ortiz pits two of the sport’s premier offensive fighters against one another in their physical primes. For Ennis, it represents a high-profile defense that keeps him active while other champions are occupied. For Ortiz, it is an immediate opportunity to reclaim his position at the top and erase any doubts caused by his layoff. The fight is a genuine 50-50 clash that could define the future of the division.
