Jaron Ennis has been presented with an alternative option, against a former undisputed champion, while his potential clash with Vergil Ortiz Jr hangs in the balance.
The two super-welterweight contenders have been deep in negotiations for several weeks, hoping to finalise a deal for their showdown to take place in April.
Such a desirable outcome, however, has become increasingly unlikely, with Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya having seemingly thrown a spanner in the works.
It was reported by Uncrowned last week that a Nevada judge has granted Golden Boy Promotions’ emergency motion for a temporary restraining order against Ortiz, preventing the boxer from entering into third-party contracts.
The 27-year-old exercised his right to terminate their promotional agreement last month, though it appears that Ortiz – amid Golden Boy’s ongoing negotiations with DAZN – is still expected to uphold the terms of his contract.
While this situation continues to develop, former unified world welterweight champion Ennis could be on the hunt for a new opponent.
One man who is angling to face the 28-year-old at 154lbs is Jermell Charlo, who has not fought since his points defeat to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023.
But despite his inactivity, ‘Iron Man’ has sent a message to Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, via a recent interview with Cigar Talk.
“Hello, Eddie. Please answer my DMs [direct messages] if you see this message: I want you to set up something between me and your best fighter, ‘Boots’.
“Business-wise, we’ve got to make it happen. I’m not a friend to none of these motherf***ers.”
Charlo became an undisputed super-welterweight champion in 2022, following his victory over Brian Castano, which preceded the American’s wide unanimous decision defeat to Alvarez.
Ennis, meanwhile, has had just one outing at 154lbs, a first-round finish over Uisma Lima in October, since unifying the IBF and WBA welterweight titles against Eimantas Stanionis earlier last year.