Eddie Hearn Explains Reasons Behind Ennis-Ortiz Fight Falling Through

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn, who represents IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs), has commented on the breakdown of negotiations for a fight between his client and interim WBC super welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs).

Hearn stated that his team never attempted to change the weight division, emphasizing that the proposal initially came from Ortiz’s camp, which later backtracked, requiring Ennis to move up in weight and relinquish his IBF title.

“Jaron needed to quickly decide which weight division he wanted to fight in and whether he would relinquish his IBF welterweight title, and I’m not sure he was ready to make that call.

It’s not true that we demanded at the last minute for the fight to be at welterweight. We received the proposal around three days ago to fight at 147 pounds (66.7 kg). We weren’t trying to change the weight class; it was outlined in the offer.

We discussed it with Jaron, and of course, it was fine for us. We got back to them and said, ‘Yes, we agree, but are you sure it’s going to be at welterweight?’ They took a pause and then came back saying, ‘No, we’ve discussed it with Golden Boy, and sorry, but the fight will be at super welterweight, and you have to relinquish your title.’

This was a crucial decision to be made within 24–48 hours. On Thanksgiving Day, we were asked for an answer, and Jaron’s response was, ‘I just don’t know. I’m not ready to decide whether to give up my title,’” Hearn explained.

It was previously reported that the two sides had agreed on the fight, which was set to be part of the Riyadh Season boxing event on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the bout ultimately fell through.