Jaron Ennis won't fight Vergil Ortiz on February 22 in Riyadh. The highly-anticipated bout fell through at the last minute.
Dan Rafael reported that Ennis' team tried to change the fight from super-welterweight to welterweight. Ortiz couldn't agree to this switch. He had moved up to 154 lbs after being hospitalized during a weight cut to 147 lbs for a previous fight.
Hall of Fame fighter Tim Bradley didn't hold back. He accused 'Boots' Ennis of ducking Ortiz.
Ortiz quickly shared his side of the story.
"I've always said I'll fight anybody and I remained true to my word. Every single person that I have been offered to fight I said yes. It takes 2 to tango in boxing, so if I'm not in that ring fighting someone, know it's not my fault! Time for some of you guys to stop saying I'm ducking and don't wanna fight because that's not the case this time and never was."
Hours later, Ennis responded to the situation.
"I seen the rumours on social media just like y'all did. As far as the fight with me and Vergil I was unaware that alleged negotiations was being made on my end. From here on out if it didn't come from ME and ME only don't believe it and i will address if I'm staying at 47 or moving up to 54 at a later date and time."
Ennis claims he didn't know about the negotiations. He also hinted at a future announcement about which weight class he'll compete in next.
The collapsed fight leaves both fighters without opponents for the Riyadh Season card. Dan Rafael mentioned that WBC Champion Sebastian Fundora might step in to face Ortiz on the same date. Ennis' next move remains unclear.
Ortiz's move to super-welterweight came after health concerns at 147 lbs. The fighter holds the WBC Super-Welterweight Interim belt. Ennis is the current IBF Welterweight Champion.
