Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis Responds To Controversy: Why Fans Believe He’s Avoiding Vergil Ortiz Jr. And Seeking Tune-Up Fights

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis reiterated on social media that the “fake narratives” about him are going to stop when “the truth comes to light.” Many fans believe that Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) ducked Vergil Ortiz Jr., as well as Brian Norman Jr., Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez. They see Boots turning down fights, ducking Vergil Jr. twice.

The fans have turned on Ennis, and they see him as lacking courage. They feel that Ennis should have agreed to take the fight against Ortiz Jr. by now to show that he’s not afraid of him. Fans were willing to overlook Ennis not fighting Haney, Norman, and Teofimo. But they see his decision not to fight Vergik Jr. as pure cowardice.

Ennis’ Need for Tune-Ups

‘Boots’ Ennis, needing two tune-ups at 154, made him sound bad in the eyes of the fans. That’s a sign of weakness and self-down. Fans don’t understand why Ennis, as big as he is, would need even one tune-up. But for him to want two, that takes the cake.

The fights that Ennis, 28, has been taking against Karen Chukhadzhian X 2, David Avanesyan, and Eimantas Stanionis further the belief fans have that he’s just focused on fighting tomato cans.

‘Boots’ Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, didn’t help his case last Friday when he claimed that the fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. had been signed. Vergil Sr. immediately responded on X, saying nothing had been signed and he didn’t know what Hearn was talking about.

At this point, fans aren’t going to believe anything Ennis says until he proves himself by fighting Vergil Jr. Turning down that fight twice made him look bad. Taking two tune-ups against journeymen or fringe contenders is beyond what fans can comprehend.

All these false story and fake narratives gonna stop! Like I said the other day the truth gonna come to the light. From here on out we pulling everybody card from the rip!

— Boots (@JaronEnnis) August 11, 2025