Jaron Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz Jr. has moved closer, with Ortiz’s trainer Robert Garcia saying their side is ready to make the super welterweight showdown happen next.
Ennis became WBA and WBO super welterweight champion last month after stopping Xander Zayas in the seventh round. The win revived talk of a fight with Ortiz, a matchup that has been discussed since Ennis moved up to 154lbs.
Garcia told BoxingScene that Ortiz’s team has no interest in taking another fight first and believes the timing is right for the unbeaten Texan to face “Boots.”
“The fight is very close,” Garcia said. “There is no need to wait for that fight, there’s no need to get a fight before that.”
Garcia also pushed back against the idea that Ortiz needs a tune-up, pointing to his recent activity and performances against Israil Madrimov and Erickson Lubin.
“The only thing that could stop the fight is if Boots decides not to fight,” Garcia said. “On our side it’s a done deal.”
Ortiz fought twice in 2025, beating Madrimov by unanimous decision before stopping Lubin in the second round. If the Ennis fight is finalized, it would be one of the biggest all-American matchups available at 154lbs.
Image Credit: Ready To Fight