Jaron Ennis appears set to move forward with other options after prolonged efforts to secure a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. stalled due to a legal dispute between Ortiz and his promoter, Golden Boy. The two fighters had been linked to a potential bout for the past five months, but negotiations became increasingly complicated as Ortiz’s contractual situation unfolded.

Ortiz filed a lawsuit against Golden Boy in January while attempting to pursue a deal with a third party. However, a Nevada judge ruled this week that the WBC interim super welterweight champion’s preferred path could not proceed, sending the dispute to arbitration. With Ortiz’s future uncertain while the legal process plays out, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has begun shifting focus to other potential opponents for Ennis.

Hearn said the situation could be resolved quickly or drag on indefinitely but emphasized that Ennis will not remain inactive while waiting for clarity. Potential opponents under consideration include IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly, unbeaten contender Xander Zayas, and former unified champion Jermell Charlo. According to Hearn, Ennis is expected to return to the ring in May.

Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) captured the IBF title earlier this year with a majority-decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev in Newcastle. On the same night, Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) strengthened his standing in the division by defeating Abass Baraou by unanimous decision to unify the WBA and WBO titles.

Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), a former welterweight champion who held The Ring, IBF and WBA belts at 147 pounds, made his junior middleweight debut in October with a first-round stoppage of Uisma Lima. He is currently ranked No. 5 by The Ring at 154 pounds and has made it clear that he wants to challenge for one of the division’s titles in his next fight.

Meanwhile, Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs) remains involved in arbitration with Golden Boy while maintaining that he intends to move forward once the legal dispute is resolved. He said he is continuing to train and believes his right to pursue other opportunities will ultimately be upheld.

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