Eddie Hearn confirms huge all-American fight for 2026

Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a deal has been signed for a fight between Jaron 'Boots' Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr with the bout set to take place next year. 

After unifying the IBF and WBA welterweight titles against Eimantas Stanionis in April, it felt inevitable that a move to light middleweight would be on the cards sooner rather than later for Ennis.

With a deal now made for this huge fight Stateside, it's expected that Ennis will make his 154 lb debut later this year before facing Ortiz Jr in the first half of 2026.

DAZN

Speaking to The Ring, Hearn revealed the plans for both men ahead of this excting matchup.

"We have signed Jaron Ennis to fight Vergil Ortiz," Hearn said.

"We had a meeting with DAZN and Golden Boy, all the terms were set out for that big event, Jaron’s new extension with us has signed for all of those terms to fight Vergil Ortiz next.

"We’re in, January, February whenever that’s going to be.

"The plan is for ‘Boots’ to fight in October, Vergil to fight in October, and then they’re straight in."

Ortiz is an experienced contender at light middleweight after making a successful debut at the weight against Fredrick Lawson in January 2024. 

Since then, the Texan has put together three successive wins at 154 lbs, his most recent coming in February when he beat former world champion Israil Madrimov in what was a career best performance. 

Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN

You can watch Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte live on DAZN on August 16. More information is available here.