Ennis vs. Ortiz in 2026: Eddie Hearn announces big boxing match

Jaron “Boots” Ennis could face Vergil Ortiz in the first quarter of 2026, as long as he secures victory in his super welterweight debut this Saturday, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs), 28 years old, will face Uisma Lima (14-1, 10 KOs) in his first fight at 154 pounds at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, after rising to the top in the welterweight rankings. Following a technical knockout victory in the sixth round over Eimantas Stanionis in April, Ennis will look to deliver a great performance against Lima, from Angola and residing in Portugal, in front of his local fans. The winner on Saturday will advance to challenge for the WBA super welterweight world title against Abass Barou (17-1, 9 KOs), from Germany, as the WBA interim title will be at stake. Hearn is targeting a bigger fight for “Boots” against Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs), who will defend the WBC interim super welterweight title against Erickson Lubin on November 8.

We want the biggest fights after Saturday, and for me the one that makes the most sense and the one that has been negotiated is Vergil Ortiz.

Eddie Hearn

Hearn expects Ennis to improve at super welterweight and states that the Philadelphia boxer is willing to face any of the world champions in 2026. Ortiz, from Texas, and WBC super welterweight world champion Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs), from California, hold the 1st and 2nd positions respectively in the 154-pound rankings. Hearn believes Ennis could even compete at super middleweight.

Hearn’s statement about Ennis’s possible fights continues, mentioning Xander Zayas, Bakhram Murtazaliev, Sebastian Fundora, Abass Baraou, and Vergil Ortiz. Hearn also expresses his belief in Ennis’s potential, stating that he will be a “different beast” at 154 pounds, and that he could become a world champion in multiple weight categories.