Coach Robert Garcia believes Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ crew felt it was too harmful to maneuver up straight right into a combat with Vergil Ortiz Jnr, resulting in the breakdown of their much-anticipated bout.
Ennis and Ortiz have been reportedly negotiating a conflict at 154lbs on the undercard of the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 22, however the combat fell via.
Philadelphia’s Ennis, who holds the IBF 147-pound title, was anticipated to maneuver as much as problem WBC interim 154lbs champion Ortiz of Dallas, Texas. Garcia, nevertheless, refused guilty the burden distinction between the fighters as the primary motive for the failure of the bout to occur, indicating that Ennis is huge, sturdy and proficient sufficient to manage in opposition to Ortiz.
“We have been able to combat. Vergil is a fighter. He would not say no to any combat,” Garcia advised BoxingScene. “So, after we have been advised that he was going to combat Boots, we have been glad. We have been enthusiastic about that combat. We have been prepared for that combat, however in the long run, it wasn’t Vergil. It was Boots’ crew, Matchroom, whoever that pulled out. So, it wasn’t us.
“I actually do not know what occurred. I do not know why he determined to not combat as a result of in his final combat, he stated he was shifting up in weight, and we have been prepared for him, however it seemed like he determined to not.”
Ortiz, 22-0 (21 KOs), as a substitute opted to face former WBA 154-pound titlist Israil Madrimov – who misplaced his belt to Terence Crawford final August – on the February 22 card in Riyadh.
Ennis is as a substitute headed for a unification combat on April 12 with WBA welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis – who coincidentally was scheduled to combat Ortiz in 2023 earlier than the combat was cancelled a number of occasions.
As a part of preparations for the Madrimov combat, Garcia stated he led Ortiz to a coaching camp in London.
Garcia stated he anticipates a really technical combat between Ortiz and Madrimov.
“Each fighters are going to place up a fantastic combat. Madrimov is a superb fighter. He had a fantastic combat in opposition to Crawford, a really shut combat, so we are able to’t look previous Madrimov. We have to deal with Madrimov proper now, and after the combat, if every thing goes effectively, then we’ll consider future fights.”
Garcia stated the 154-pound division was blessed with a whole lot of nice fighters that may provide Ortiz the type of competitors he wants. Garcia stated Ortiz was keen to face any of the present titlists at 154 – Sebastian Fundora, Crawford, and Bakhram Murtazaliev – or former undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.
“There’re a whole lot of choices. There’re a whole lot of huge fights on the market. Personally, these are all huge fights for Vergil, so I might like to have these fights.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports activities journalist with a specialty in boxing protection. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He may be reached on X (previously Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and thru electronic mail at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.
