By Elliot Raines: Promoter Oscar De La Hoya says he “1000%” desires the Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis struggle to occur in 2026. However earlier than that may happen, Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) should win his struggle towards Erickson Lubin this Saturday, November eighth, on the Dickies Enviornment in Fort Price, Texas.
(Credit score: Golden Boy Promotions / Cris Esqueda)
Verbal Deal With Eddie Hearn
Oscar states that he has a “verbal settlement” with Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) and his promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing. However once more, Ortiz Jr. has to win his struggle towards Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) for the talks to start.
Vergil Jr., 27, will probably be defending his WBC interim junior middleweight title towards #4 Lubin, 30, on DAZN this Saturday evening.
“I welcome Eddie [Hearn]. I welcome Ennis to see the easiest 154 and that’s Vergil Ortiz,” mentioned Oscar De La Hoya to Combat Hub TV, reacting to the information of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and promoter Eddie Hearn planning on being ringside for Vergil Ortiz Jr’s struggle towards Erickson Lubin this Saturday.
De La Hoya’s remark about Vergil being “the easiest 154” is difficult to imagine. Does Oscar actually assume that after watching the powerful time Ortiz Jr. had in his final two fights towards Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk? Even when he does, many followers don’t. They view Ortiz Jr. as beneath Ennis, and probably beneath Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora as nicely.
“I’m simply afraid that if ‘Boots’ sees Vergil Jr. in individual, he’s going to shrink back from the struggle. I need that struggle 1000%. First issues first. Vergil has to win on Saturday. That’s the underside line. I’m not going to take Vergil from his tunnel imaginative and prescient and say, ‘Signal this contract. We’re going to struggle ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Followers Scent Hesitation
What made De La Hoya’s feedback sound fishy is how he repeatedly mentioned right this moment that Ennis and Hearn might change their thoughts about combating Vergil Jr. after they see how good he’s on Saturday evening. They is perhaps scared off. That doesn’t appear real looking. Ennis and Hearn each seem to essentially need the Ortiz Jr. struggle subsequent. They wouldn’t be touring to Fort Price to sit down at ringside in the event that they didn’t.
Worry of Dropping the Funding
The way in which Oscar spoke, some followers on social media imagine he’s cooking up excuses to keep away from making the struggle between Vergil Jr. and ‘Boots’ to make sure his fighter doesn’t get crushed. That’s completely comprehensible if De La Hoya doesn’t need the struggle. Why would he need Ortiz Jr. to get uncovered by Ennis, get knocked out doubtlessly, and lose worth? All these years of exhausting work and cash De La Hoya put into Ortiz’s profession could be down the drain.
“Let him win this struggle on Saturday, after which we’ll begin negotiations. Is there a verbal settlement? Yeah. Eddie desires it, I need it, Vergil desires it, Boots desires it. We’ll begin negotiating proper after the victory if he wins,” mentioned De La Hoya.
Elliot Raines has coated British and European boxing since 2010. Recognized for his sharp pen and low tolerance for hype, Raines dissects the game’s politics, promoters, and paper champions with dry precision.
Boxing Information 24 » – An Analyst’s Perspective » Oscar De La Hoya Says He “1000%” Needs Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in 2026 — However Warns Combat Hinges on Ortiz Beating Erickson Lubin First
Final Up to date on 11/06/2025
