Ennis Received’t Linger As Ortiz Jr. Weighs Contract

That stance reflects where Ennis is in his career. At 28, he has already spent long stretches waiting for fights to materialise. Another delay would do nothing for his position at junior middleweight, especially when titles and opportunities are available elsewhere. His camp is signalling patience, but only up to a point.

Ortiz holds the WBC interim title, but his own future is unsettled. He is attempting to separate himself from Golden Boy Promotions, and that uncertainty has slowed negotiations. Even if both fighters want the bout, the business side still has to align. Right now, it has not.

Ennis’ team has not publicly named a backup opponent if the Ortiz fight stalls out. Still, the alternatives are obvious. A shot at IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev would place Ennis straight into a title fight. A meeting with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora would bring size and visibility. A bout against WBO titleholder Xander Zayas would match him with a younger fighter who is being moved quickly. Any of those routes keeps Ennis active and relevant in the division.

Promoter Eddie Hearn suggested the fight is still alive, even if it is not moving quickly. “I hope the fight can still be made, but we’ll see,” Hearn said. “It’s not dead.”

For now, the decision rests with Ortiz and his side. Ennis has done what he needs to do. If the signature does not come soon, the division will move on without him, and that would feel like a missed chance rather than a calculated delay.