Hearn says there are no negotiations with Ennis-Ortiz, leaves the ball in the “boots” court.

WHAT was once a potentially exciting addition to the February 22 bumper in Riyadh has turned into yet another social media spat.

Last week, it was claimed that IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, 33-0 (29 KOs) and WBC super welterweight belt holder Virgil Ortiz Jr, 22-0 (21 KOs) were set for a showdown. in the Middle East. Their match was set to appear at a season event in Riyadh that would feature Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker, Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitri Bivol and more. However, the battle between two of boxing's best unbeaten talents looks to be on the shelf until major decisions are made.

Writing on social media platform X yesterday afternoon, Ortiz dismissed any claims or narratives that the fight that did not take place was about him.

“I've always said I'll fight anyone and I've kept my word. Every person I was offered to fight, I said yes. It takes 2 to tango in boxing, so if I'm not in that ring and I'm fighting someone, know that it's not my fault! It's time for some of you guys to stop saying I'm mad and I don't want to fight because that's not the case this time and never has been 💯”

Ortiz is close to a world title fight at 154kg. (Image credit: Golden Boy Promotions)

However, a fighter doesn't take a hit without throwing it back, and Ennis took a verbal jab of his own a few hours later on Instagram.

“I saw the rumors on social media just like Yal did, as far as the fight with me and Virgil, I wasn't aware that there were supposed to be negotiations on my end. Don't believe it and I'll look back if I stay at 47 or move up to 54 at a later date and time.”

Eddie Hearn, Ennis' promoter, was in Birmingham last night watching his flyweight star Galal Yafai, apart from securing a world title from retired Sunny Edwards. Later in the evening, he spoke with Boxing news and said that Ennis has to choose whether to stay at welterweight or move to super heavyweight.

“That fight is not necessarily completely dead,” he said, “but Jaron has to make a quick decision about what weight he's going to make and whether he's going to vacate the belt and I'm not sure he's going to do that. We'll have to see what happens.”

Hearn shot down reports saying there was a last-minute change that would see Ennis move from 147lbs to 154lbs.

“There was never a last-minute change to make it 147,” he said.

“We got an offer about three days ago for the fight at 147. Not from us, we're not trying to get the fight at 147. That's what it said in the offer. We brought it back to Jaron, obviously, that's fine with us. We went back to them and said yes we will accept but are you sure this is in '47. They left, came back and said no, we talked to Golden Boy, sorry, he's going to be 154 years old, you've vacated the title. Okay, this is a big decision. We'll have to go back. This was about 24-48 hours ago.

“At Thanksgiving we were asked to make a decision and the answer (from Ennis) was just I don't know, I'm not ready to make a decision on whether to leave the belt and that's it and that's it. is. So if we have time to make a decision, maybe he will, but if he has to make a decision tonight or tomorrow, I'm not sure he will. If he moves to '54 he'll 100% fight Virgil Ortiz, if not he'll unify at 147 and that's it for him.

Hearn also responded to Ennis' announcement that he was “unaware” of the negotiations taking place and gave an assurance that if the Philadelphian moves to 154 pounds, he will fight Ortiz Jr.

“There are no negotiations,” he confirmed. “All we did was get an offer about three days ago. We got an offer to do the fight in '47, we accepted, we went back, we checked, then we were told it was '54. We said ok, we have to talk as a team to decide if we're going to '54, but what you won't see is that he goes to 54 and doesn't fight Virgil Ortiz, I promise you that.”