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Vergil Ortiz Jr. says the holdup in making a blockbuster clash with Jaron “Boots” Ennis isn’t on his side. Speaking on Inside The Ring ahead of Saturday’s DAZN main event vs. Erickson Lubin at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, the WBC interim 154-lb titlist insisted he’s agreed to terms to face Ennis next year and pointed the finger at the Philadelphia star’s camp. “We’ll see, I’ve already said yes, that’s all I can do,” Ortiz said. “The barrier is somewhere on their side whether it’s someone or something, or some amount of money, I don’t know. That’s completely on them.” The setup: Ortiz–Lubin, with Ennis ringside Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs) returns against Lubin with Ennis and promoter Eddie Hearn expected ringside to push talks for an early-2026 showdown if Ortiz takes care of business. The matchup would pit two of America’s most explosive super welterweights in a genuine domestic super-fight. Ortiz’s critique of Ennis’ 154 move Vergil Ortiz also questioned Ennis’ path since unifying welterweight titles and moving to 154. “Jaron Ennis got a world title at 147… good for him. He has a lot of momentum. If I had that much momentum I would have gone straight to the big fight at 154,” Ortiz said, noting Ennis’ first-round KO of Uisma Lima last month instead of an immediate Ortiz pairing. The backstory: accusations and “ducking” talk The pair’s feud reignited after Ennis blasted Lima. Ortiz who notched a signature win over former 154-lb champion Israil Madrimov in February pushed back on past claims he avoided Ennis at 147. “When it was time to say ‘yes’ to fight, I was the only one who said ‘yes’. A lot of people were saying I was ducking at 147 when there was no fight being offered.” What’s next Saturday: Ortiz vs. Lubin on DAZN in Fort Worth. Target: If Ortiz wins, negotiations intensify for Ennis vs. Ortiz in 2026. Variables: Network/streaming alignment, site fee (Saudi/U.S.), sanctioning-body timelines at 154, and purse split. Ennis–Ortiz is a stylistic thunderclap: elite timing and creativity from “Boots” vs. relentless pressure and power from Ortiz. In a fractured 154-lb landscape, it’s the rare fight that sells itself and could crown America’s next crossover star.
