Ryan Garcia has offered his prediction for a potential clash between Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jaron Ennis, following the latter’s seventh-round stoppage of Xander Zayas.
‘Boots’ became a two-weight unified champion on Saturday, dethroning Zayas with a star-making performance in New York.
Ennis was considered a clear pre-fight favourite but, even so, there was no shortage of world-class quality as he claimed the WBO and WBA titles at 154lbs.
Zayas, to his credit, enjoyed spells of success – particularly in round three – but was ultimately pulled out by his corner after suffering a third knockdown.
As a result, ‘Boots’ has now cemented himself as one of the leading operators at super-welterweight, along with fellow champions Sebastian Fundora and Josh Kelly.
Rather than collecting another world title, though, many are eager to see the 29-year-old face top contender Ortiz in an all-American showdown.
The pair have been on a collision course since their early professional days, leading them into deep negotiations for a clash this past April.
Talks collapsed, however, after Ortiz initiated legal proceedings against Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy, with the 28-year-old now finally looking set to return later this year.
Offering his thoughts on a possible Ennis fight, WBC champion Garcia wrote in a since-deleted social media post that Ortiz would win inside the distance.
“Vergil by stoppage. Book that fight.”
Given that Ortiz has not fought since his second-round finish over Erickson Lubin in November, the Texan is likely to afford himself a tune-up fight before challenging ‘Boots’.