As a boxing fan who’s seen more ducked matchups than undisputed champions, I’ve learned to temper excitement with a healthy dose of realism. The welterweight division—now bleeding into super welterweight—has been buzzing ever since Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s blistering two-round demolition of Erickson Lubin on November 9, 2025, followed by that tense ring-side stare-down with Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Fans are salivating over what could be a generational clash: two undefeated knockout artists, both in their primes, trading leather in a fight that screams legacy-defining. But mark my words—this bout isn’t happening anytime soon. Here’s why, based on the swirling drama, financial hurdles, and strategic maneuvering that’s become all too common in the sweet science.
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: money talks, and right now, it’s screaming “not enough.” Ortiz’s manager, Rick Mirigian, has publicly drawn a line in the sand, insisting on no less than a $10 million payday for his fighter to step in with Ennis. That’s a hefty ask for a matchup that, while electric on paper, doesn’t yet have the mainstream pull of a Canelo Alvarez extravaganza.
Brian Norman Sr., a respected voice in the game, hit the nail on the head when he dismissed that demand, noting the fight simply isn’t big enough without deep-pocketed backers like Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh throwing oil money at it. Ennis and Ortiz are not household or big enough names yet to garner the Superfight title. Without Riyadh Season or a similar mega-promotion stepping in, promoters like Golden Boy (Ortiz’s camp) and Matchroom (Ennis’s side) are left haggling over scraps.
Eddie Hearn, Ennis’s promoter, has gone on record saying his fighter has agreed to terms for an early 2026 clash, but even he sounds doubtful now, admitting the deal might not materialize despite initial handshakes. In boxing, agreements without signatures are about as binding as a verbal contract in a street fight.
Then there’s Ortiz’s apparent wanderlust for other opponents. Fresh off his Lubin thrashing, Ortiz didn’t just call out Ennis—he name-dropped Terence Crawford and even Errol Spence Jr., hinting at bigger fish to fry. Reports are swirling that Ortiz has outright turned down Ennis for his next two outings, eyeing a dream matchup with Spence instead, possibly at Cowboys Stadium for that Texas-sized payday.
Even boxing luminaries like Mikey and Robert Garcia are advising Ortiz to chase Spence over Ennis, framing it as a smarter move for legacy and loot. Spence himself weighed in, offering his take on a potential Ortiz-Ennis bout, but that only fuels speculation that Ortiz’s team sees a faded-but-famous Spence as lower risk and higher reward. Why risk the 0 against a hungry Ennis when you can pad the resume against a post-prime star? It’s classic boxing calculus: protect the asset until the numbers align.
Promotional politics aren’t helping either. Ortiz is Golden Boy’s golden boy, backed by Oscar De La Hoya, who’s never shy about hyping his stable while slow-walking cross-promotional deals. Ennis, meanwhile, is Hearn’s prized possession, the IBF welterweight champ itching to prove he’s the division’s alpha. Both sides are posturing publicly—Ennis stormed the ring post-Lubin, declaring “the time is now”—but behind closed doors, it’s a game of chicken. Hearn’s recent pessimism suggests egos and exclusivity clauses are stalling progress, much like we’ve seen in past would-be classics that fizzled (think Wilder-Fury delays, minus the eventual payoff).
Finally, factor in the raw risk. Both guys are knockout machines: Ortiz with 22 KOs in 22 wins, Ennis with 29 in 32. A loss could derail careers before they’ve peaked, especially with Crawford lurking as the undisputed king at 147/154. Ortiz, coming off health scares and a move up in weight, might want more seasoning or softer touches to build momentum. Ennis, for his part, has been vocal about wanting the smoke, but if Ortiz’s camp keeps prioritizing “money fights” like Spence, Boots could be left cooling his heels or settling for lesser challengers.
Don’t get me wrong—this fight should happen. It could be boxing’s rebound shot in the arm, injecting fresh energy into a sport that’s seen too many mismatches lately. Polls and fan chatter show the demand is there, with debates raging on whether it’ll even materialize in 2026. But until the financial stars align, promoters play nice, and Ortiz stops eyeing detours, expect more hype than hooks. In boxing, the best fights often take years to brew—or worse, never boil over. Ortiz vs. Ennis? File it under “maybe someday,” not “coming soon.”
I am an avid fan of boxing and video games. My first fight of memory was watching Prince Naseem Hamed destroy Kevin Kelly. I enjoy all aspects of the sport. My favorite current boxer is Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. My favorite boxing match is Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo 1. I love watching boxing on Pay-Per-View more than being there live because you can really enjoy and watch the action from the best view.