Hearn says no Ennis-Ortiz negotiations, leaves ball in ‘Boots’ court

WHAT was as soon as a probably thrilling addition to a bumper February 22 card in Riyadh has was one other social media argument.

This previous week, it had been claimed that IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, 33-0 (29 KOs), and WBC Interim super-welterweight belt holder Vergil Ortiz Jr, 22-0 (21 KOs), had been all set for a showdown within the Center East. Their bout was set to function on a Riyadh Season occasion that includes Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker, Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol and extra. Nevertheless, a battle between two of the most effective unbeaten skills in boxing appears to be like to be on the shelf till necessary choices are made.

Yesterday afternoon, writing on social media platform X, Ortiz dismissed any claims or narrative that the combat not happening was all the way down to him.

“I’ve at all times stated I’ll combat anyone and I remained true to my phrase. Each single person who I’ve been supplied to combat I stated sure. It takes 2 to tango in boxing, so if I’m not in that ring preventing somebody, comprehend it’s not my fault! Time for a few of you guys to cease saying I’m ducking and don’t wanna combat as a result of that’s not the case this time and by no means was 💯”

A fighter doesn’t take a punch with out throwing one again, although, and Ennis bought his personal verbal jab in just a few hours afterward Instagram.

“I seen the rumours on social media similar to yall did so far as the combat with me and Virgil I used to be unaware that alleged negotiations was being made on my finish From right here on out if it didn’t come from ME and ME solely don’t imagine it & I’ll handle if I’m staying at 47 or shifting as much as 54 at a later date and time.”

Eddie Hearn, promoter to Ennis, was in Birmingham final night time and watched his flyweight star Galal Yafai all however safe a world title shot after retiring Sunny Edwards. Later within the night, he spoke to Boxing Information and stated Ennis wants to decide on whether or not he’ll keep at welterweight or transfer to super-welterweight.

“That combat’s not essentially fully lifeless,” he stated, “however Jaron’s bought to make a quick resolution about what weight he’s going to offer and if he’ll vacate the belt and I’m undecided he’s going to do this. We’ll need to see what occurs.”

Hearn shot down experiences which stated there had been a final minute change which might see Ennis shifting from 147lbs to 154lbs.

“There was by no means a final minute change for it to be at 147,” he stated.

“We acquired a suggestion about three days in the past for the combat at 147. Not from us, not us attempting to get the combat at 147. That’s the way it was written within the supply to us. We took it again to Jaron, clearly, that’s superb with us. We went again to them and stated sure we’ll settle for however are you certain that is at ’47. They went away, they got here again they usually stated no we’ve spoke to Golden Boy sorry it could be at 154, you’ve bought vacate your title. Okay, properly it is a massive resolution. We’re going to have to return. This was about 24-48 hours in the past.

“On Thanksgiving we had been requested to decide and the reply [from Ennis] was I simply don’t know, I’m not able to decide if I’m going to vacate my belt and that’s it and that’s all it’s. So if we’ve bought time to decide perhaps he does it but when it’s to decide tonight or tomorrow I’m undecided he’ll. If he strikes to ’54 he’ll 100% combat Vergil Ortiz, if he doesn’t he’ll unify at 147 and that’s over to him.”

Hearn additionally responded to Ennis’s submit about being ‘unaware’ about negotiations happening and gave an assurance that if the Philadelphian does transfer to 154lbs he’ll combat Ortiz Jr.

“There’s been no negotiations,” he confirmed. “All we did was obtain a suggestion about three days in the past. We acquired a suggestion to do the combat at ’47, we accepted, we went again, we checked, we had been then instructed it was ’54. We stated okay we’ve bought to speak as a staff to determine if we’re going to ’54 however what you’re not going to see is him go to ’54 and never combat Vergil Ortiz, I promise you that.”