In a recent turn of events, rising boxing star Vergil Ortiz Jr. has disclosed that negotiations for a potential bout with Xander Zayas hit a dead end. Ortiz Jr. revealed that Zayas never responded to a proposed neutral-site deal, leading to the collapse of what could have been an electrifying matchup. Instead, Zayas is now gearing up to face Jaron Ennis in a highly anticipated title bout scheduled for June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Ortiz Jr., known for his impressive record and powerful performances in the ring, expressed his disappointment over the stalled negotiations. According to Ortiz Jr., the offer was straightforward and fair, but it was met with silence from Zayas’ camp. This lack of response ultimately led Ortiz Jr. to pursue other opportunities, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
Meanwhile, Xander Zayas, the unified junior middleweight champion with a flawless record of 23-0 and 13 KOs, is set to defend his WBA and WBO titles against Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Ennis, boasting an equally impressive record of 35-0 with 31 KOs and 1 No Contest, is no stranger to high-stakes fights. The upcoming bout promises to be a thrilling encounter between two undefeated champions, each eager to prove their dominance in the ring.
The road to this title bout has been anything but smooth. Ennis was initially in discussions for a fight with Ortiz Jr., but negotiations fell through due to disagreements over the purse. Ortiz Jr.’s manager, Rick Mirigian, was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the financial terms offered, leading to a public rift with their promoter, Golden Boy Promotions. This discord opened the door for Ennis’ promoter, Matchroom Boxing, to explore alternative options for their fighter.
With Top Rank signing a broadcast deal with DAZN, the logistics of arranging a fight between Ennis and Ortiz Jr. became more feasible. However, the window of opportunity has now closed, and the boxing world is abuzz with anticipation for the Zayas vs. Ennis showdown.
As the date approaches, both fighters are intensifying their training regimens, preparing to deliver a memorable performance. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn is set to be the stage for this epic clash, and fans are eagerly counting down the days until June 27. In the world of boxing, where every punch and every decision can alter the course of a career, this bout is poised to be a defining moment for both Zayas and Ennis.
While Vergil Ortiz Jr. may have missed out on this particular opportunity, his future in the sport remains bright. As he continues to hone his skills and seek out new challenges, the boxing community will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his next moves. For now, all eyes are on Brooklyn, where Zayas and Ennis are set to write the next chapter in their storied careers.
Team_TBE Boxing
🛒 Premium Recommendations
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Max, 14‑core CPU, 32‑core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 36GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black
Hisense 100" Class E6 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (100E6QF, 2025 Model) – QLED, Native 144Hz, Dolby Vision IQ · Atmos, Motion Rate 240, HDR 10+, Game Mode Pro, Voice Remote with Alexa
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.