Jaron Ennis: "I Didn’t Even Know I Was Negotiating a Fight with Ortiz"

IBF Welterweight Champion Jaron Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) has refuted claims that his team was negotiating a bout against WBC Interim Super Welterweight Champion Vergil Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs).

"I saw the rumors on social media, just like you, about a fight between me and Vergil. I didn’t even know there were negotiations happening on my side. From now on, unless it comes directly from me, don’t believe it. I’ll let everyone know later whether I’m staying in the welterweight division or moving up to super welterweight," Ennis wrote on his social media.

However, renowned boxing insider Dan Rafael cast doubt on Ennis’ statement.

"I find it hard to believe. The purses, date, venue, and opponent were agreed upon. The fight was widely reported. Both promoters spoke about it publicly. His promoter signed off on the deal. His father, to my knowledge, was aware. It’s highly unlikely that a grown man could be so unaware of his own career plans," Rafael wrote on Twitter.

Previously, reports emerged that Ennis and Ortiz’s representatives had reached an agreement for a bout scheduled as part of the Riyadh Season boxing event on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the fight ultimately fell through.

On November 9, Jaron Ennis defeated Karen Chukhadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs) via unanimous decision. In August, Vergil Ortiz claimed a majority decision victory over Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs).