Jaron Ennis says he will fight Vergil Ortiz if undisputed falls through

Jaron Ennis has named Vergil Ortiz as a backup option if his pursuit of welterweight unification stalls. The IBF champion is chasing the division's other belts but says he will take an alternative if those fights cannot be made.

“I'm here to be undisputed and bring home these belts. But if we can't get those other guys and Vergil Ortiz is available, let's make it happen.”

— Jaron Ennis, via Ring Magazine

What Jaron Ennis said

Ennis holds the IBF welterweight title and wants the WBC, WBA, and WBO straps held by other champions. Ortiz is a fellow American welterweight ranked in the top five by multiple sanctioning bodies. The two names have circled each other for months without a deal materializing.

What it moves

Ennis speaking to Ring Magazine gives Ortiz a clear opening to accept or decline. If the unification bouts continue to stall, Ortiz represents the highest-profile domestic welterweight clash available. Either outcome moves Ennis closer to a major 2025 date.

Source: ringmagazine.com. Full Jaron Ennis fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.