Jaron “Boots” Ennis didn’t sound overly concerned a couple of potential showdown with Vergil Ortiz Jr. after becoming a unified junior middleweight champion on Saturday night, suggesting his unbeaten rival has defensive flaws that may be exposed against him.
Ennis stopped Xander Zayas within the seventh round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn to capture the WBA and WBO titles. During his post-fight press conference, he was asked about Ortiz, who has long been linked to a clash with the Philadelphia native.
Ennis didn’t spend much time selling the matchup.
“He gets hurt loads,” Ennis said. “He flat-footed, and he been dropped multiple times. When he get hit by me, it’s going to be different.”
The comments got here after Boots had already made it clear that his priority is collecting the remaining world titles at 154 kilos. He said becoming the undisputed champion stays his primary objective, though he stays willing to face Ortiz if the title fights can’t be made.
“I’m here to be undisputed and break up these belts,” Ennis said. “But when we will’t get these other guys and Vergil’s available, let’s make it occur.”
Ortiz, who holds the WBC interim title, has been knocked down in previous fights but has at all times recovered to stay unbeaten. A gathering between the 2 has been discussed for months and appeared close earlier this 12 months before Boots accepted the chance to challenge Zayas for 2 world titles.
Promoter Eddie Hearn echoed that stance after the fight, saying Ennis’ victory over Zayas modified the immediate plans. Slightly than revisiting the Ortiz matchup, Hearn said the main target is now on collecting the IBF and WBC titles before considering other options, leaving Ortiz waiting unless those championship fights can’t be secured.
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Last Updated on 2026/06/28 at 10:22 AM