The sanctioning bodies are continuing to place Jaron “Boots” Ennis highly at junior middleweight even though Ennis has not yet officially arrived at 154lbs.
But with Ennis announcing his departure from the welterweight division after unifying two world titles and capturing the Ring Magazine championship, the WBO rated Ennis at No. 4, the WBA inserted him at No. 2 and the WBC – in a rankings update released on August 8 – has the 28-year-old Philadelphian at No. 1.
Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), replaced Serhii Bohachuk, who is now at No. 2.
However, Ennis being ranked first doesn’t mean he’s first in line for a shot at WBC titleholder Sebastian Fundora.
That’s because the WBC also has an interim titleholder, Vergil Ortiz Jnr, who edged Bohachuk a year ago for that belt. Ortiz subsequently defended the interim title in February with a unanimous decision over former WBA titleholder Israil Madrimov.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, which promotes Ennis, says they have agreed to a fight with Ortiz in early 2026 – though as Hearn told iFL TV, that contract has not yet been signed by Ortiz.
Ortiz’s father responded to that interview on social media:
“I didn’t know Eddie Hearn was Vergil’s manager and told Vergil when he fights,” Vergil Ortiz Snr posted. “I haven’t heard anything, and it’s not a, ‘Hey Vergil, you fight my guy when I want. That shit has sailed twice. Vergil is on his own path no matter WHO ANYONE SAYS. No waiting for anyone anymore.”
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
