Vergil Ortiz Jr has decided to leave the super welterweight division for middleweight after failing to finalize a fight with Jaron Ennis. Following months of promotional disputes and legal delays, Ortiz departs the 154-pound ranks without securing a full world title.
The failure to agree terms came despite Ennis accepting a smaller purse split. Golden Boy Promotions had positioned Ortiz as the primary attraction, relying on his WBC interim belt during negotiations. Speaking in January, promoter Oscar De La Hoya outlined his stance regarding the proposed bout against Ennis. “Boots is part of the plan, but it doesn’t have to be next,” De La Hoya stated. Addressing Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, he added: “Eddie, since you’re so desperate to make this fight, let’s do this: 60/40 for Vergil and 5% to the winner because I’m generous, and I’m not moving off those numbers.”
Golden Boy maintained these terms even though Ennis had previously established commercial credentials as a two-belt welterweight champion on the East Coast. Ortiz had yet to headline a major pay-per-view or generate comparable ticket sales.
A breach of contract lawsuit against Golden Boy further complicated matters, tying up Ortiz for much of the year until a settlement was reached in July.
While Ortiz remained sidelined, Ennis took immediate action. By accepting the secondary promotional slot against unified super welterweight champion Xander Zayas, Ennis captured two belts in front of 15,000 spectators at Barclays Center. The risk-taking approach established Ennis as the division’s leading figure.
Ennis is now set to defend his titles against Josh Kelly later this year. If Ennis and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora continue to win, an undisputed title fight between the two is planned for 2027.
Ortiz moves up to 160 pounds primarily to reduce the strain of making weight. Yet the middleweight category lacks the deep pool of marquee opponents available at super welterweight. His team is pursuing potential fights against Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu. However, Charlo and Tszyu have both shown interest in fighting each other instead. Should that match proceed, Ortiz will be left at 160 pounds without a major world title, a high-profile rival, or the substantial payday that the Ennis contest offered.
