A few days ago, boxing fans’ dreams came crashing down when the talks between Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. fell apart. It is a fight that boxing fans were anticipating and it almost became a reality. However, things shattered when Boots’ camp refused to move up to 153 lbs despite agreeing to it beforehand. This left the fans hopeful to finally see Ortiz clashing against Terence Crawford, another fight everyone wants to see.

In haste, Israil Madrimov became the replacement for Ennis to face Ortiz on the Supercard of the rematch between Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev in February. However, the decision left the fans bewildered considering Madrimov will face Serhii Bohachuk on December 21 in Riyadh Season. On Wednesday, His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh appeared on Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo’s show on DAZN Boxing’s YouTube channel and revealed the story behind the last-minute swap and also opened up about Terence Crawford’s return.

Jaron Ennis broke the promise

His Excellency said, “First of all he gave us his word and changed his mind. What I can do for him. You cannot force it,” explaining that Boots changed his mind at the last second. On the other hand, Ennis’ camp has claimed that they were earlier offered to fight Ortiz at 147 lbs which is welterweight. However, things changed when Golden Boy Promotions flagged the 147 lbs move and offered the fight up at 153. This was something Jaron Ennis was unwilling to do.

Alalshikh further added, “He is not connecting with me directly. But suddenly he changes his mind and he stopped answering. He doesn’t want to go to 153 and this is his choice,” stating that the offer was always for a super welterweight fight and not what Boots claimed. 

A few years ago, Boots and Ortiz were regarded as the future of the welterweight division and fans wanted to see both of them clash. However, as the 22-0 boxer moved up to 153, the fight became a distant dream. However, with the effort of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the fight once again was close to becoming a reality, but once again, things fell apart at the last possible second.

Helwani then asked HE Turki Alalshikh about the inclusion of Madrimov on the card. The decision surprised both Helwani and Ade Oladipo as similar to the fans, they thought Terence Crawford would get roped in. The billionaire promoter revealed the reason behind Bud not being in the conversation.

Terence Crawford: A huge sabbatical

His Excellency asked Helwani and Olapido for three options that would have worked as a replacement for Jaron Ennis. Without missing a beat, Olapido named Sebastian Fundora as the first option. His Excellency replied that he tried to make the fight happen but PBC declined as they were trying to make a fight with Errol Spence Jr.“They said to us, the people on PBC, They said to us. they’re finishing a fight for him against Spence. What can I do?” stated the Saudi Royal.

Olapido then name-dropped Terence Crawford, as it was a dream fight for not only the fans but for Ortiz as well. With a slightly worried voice, Alalshikh stated that Terence Crawford was not ready for a comeback yet. Alalshikh stated that the WBO Super Welterweight interim champion has a minor injury and will come back later in 2025.

“I try and I push to do this fight but Crawford now is not ready and not training. He has a small little health issue, a little injured. But he prefers to fight with us in May and after May,” stated Alalshikh.

With the Omaha native almost turning 38 till his return, a fight against Ortiz seems unlikely. At that point, the four-division champion would like to go for a much bigger fight. However, he could go on a last hurrah to unify all the belts at 153. We will see once he makes his return to the squared circle.

What are your views on Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis denying the match? Do you think we will see Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Terence Crawford in the future? Let us know your thoughts down below.