Jaron Ennis is already in a big name’s sights ahead of his move to super-welterweight.
Ennis is set to step up to 154lbs for his next bout later this year, having campaigned at welterweight throughout his entire career to date.
His time at 147lbs was a successful one, having become the unified WBA and IBF welterweight champion after wins over the likes of Eimantas Stanionis and David Avanesyan.
‘Boots’ has now vacated those belts and head up a division, and promoter Oscar De La Hoya has revealed to Ring Champs With Ak & Barak that his man Vergil Ortiz is ready to make the fight happen right away.
“Let’s make the fight. Let’s do it. Why wait? Let’s go. Fighting Madrimov, fighting Bohachuk. Fighting all those guys. Those are tough, tough sons of guns, What’s another one? Let’s go.”
Ortiz has an undefeated record of 23-0, an impressive 21 of those coming by knockout to make him one of the biggest punchers in the division.
His last two victories saw him overcome the aforementioned Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk. and a clash against Ortiz has been rumoured for a while.
It has yet to come to fruition yet, but De La Hoya explained that the performance of Ennis against Karen Chukhadzhian last November is what made him keen on the bout.
“Boots looked a little vulnerable. Eddie had mentioned let’s make the fight. So as the promoter I am I was calling him out and let’s make the fight. Then they changed their mind and didn’t want to fight Vergil.
“I understand, if Boots wants to have a tune-up fight at 154 then he has every right to, to test the waters. But if we can get that past us, that tune up fight, let’s go straight to the Vergil fight at 154. This year or first quarter of next year.”
If a fight between Ennis and Ortiz was able to be made, it would certainly generate interest among all boxing fans.