Boxing
Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron Ennis reportedly close to Las Vegas mega-fight for April
Ultimate Tier: PPVs & 185 fight nights included
Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron 'Boots' Ennis are expected to meet in Las Vegas this April for the pair's light middleweight super-bout, per reports.
A clash between the two men, among the leading lights of the American boxing scene, has been bubbling away for more than a year now.
Ennis, the former unified welterweight champion, stepped up a division last October, securing a first-round stoppage against Uisma Lima.
Ortiz, the WBC interim champion, turned over Erickson Lubin in two rounds a month later, before a face-off with 'Boots' in the ring afterwards.
Since then, talk has been quiet, with discussions waylaid by Ortiz suing promoter Golden Boy Promotions in January, but now appears set.
The Ring reports the pair are likely to meet in two months' time in Nevada, for arguably the biggest bout of the year with no full title on the line.
Ortiz, fascinatingly, has never held a major crown in his career despite his reputation as arguably the leading light-middleweight of his generation.
Ennis, meanwhile, reigned as IBF and WBA welterweight champion, securing unified status in his final bout in the division against Eimantas Stanionis.
Sin City set for latest super-fight night
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
It feels like an age since Jaron Ennis slipped between the ropes to confront Vergil Ortiz Jr. in the ring last November, stoking hopes of a quick deal to fight.
Plenty of hurdles have been vaulted in the interim, and finally, it looks as if the two men are moving closer to a potential clash in the Nevada desert.
Sin City has seen its share of super-fights over the years, including many without a major strap on the line - but this could be the best for a while.
After a blockbuster duology between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn last year, there is a proven appetite for big bouts without silverware right now.
Ortiz and Ennis will hope to echo that pair, and their fight-of-the-year first dance, as they edge closer to lighting up American boxing once again.
Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV's included in your subscription
Subscribe to DAZN's new Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including Barrois vs Garcia, on top of another 185 fight nights. Plus Serie A football, watch on multiple devices, and many more extra benefits.
Sign up for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.
