Golden Boy Promotions honcho, Oscar De La Hoya, and his charge interim WBC super welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. have come out guns blazing after Jaron Ennis’ father and trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis made some claims in a recent interview. The Philadelphia native is about to enter the ring against Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzhian in a few hours for their rematch. 

The duo will trade blows in Ennis’ hometown at the Wells Fargo Center, as the 27-year-old defends his IBF title for the second time. Regardless, with fight night at the doorsteps, ‘Bozy’ appeared in an interview, which seems to have caught Ortiz Jr. and De La Hoya’s attention. And the boxer-promoter duo aren’t having any of it, branding every word a ‘lie.’

The story started back on Thursday. What’s on Thursday? As Oscar De La Hoya puts it, “The only segment in boxing, which gives you the facts and makes you laugh—Clap Back Thursdays.” You see, the ‘Golden Boy’ proposed a 5 vs. 5 event between his company and “his best friend” Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

One of these fights, as proposed by Oscar, featured Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. Fast forward to Friday, ‘Bozy’ appeared in an interview with Boxing News+, where the reporter probed him about his take on the Ennis vs. Ortiz Jr. fight. “They already asked about that and they said [Ortiz’s team] turned it down,” ‘Bozy’ responded sternly.

When the reporter asked whether it was Golden Boy, who refused the fight, Ennis Sr. claimed he wasn’t sure, but reiterated, “They said they turned it down. We’ll fight him in a heartbeat.” Oscar quickly jumped on this opportunity and responded on X, “Bulls**t… we will see who turns it down when the 17’ by 17’ foot ring is in play.”

Even Vergil Ortiz caught wind of Ennis Sr.’s claims, so he shared a screenshot of his text message with manager, Rick Mirigian. Ortiz had asked Mirigian whether such an offer was made, which Mirigian claimed was false, adding he would go public and comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Ortiz penned a tweet to clarify the situation.

“First time I’m hearing about this, lol. I’m always down for a great fight, I didn’t turn anything down,” he wrote. Meanwhile, Vergil Ortiz’s father has also joined in the hullabaloo. 

Ortiz Sr. on Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Coming off a controversial win over Serhii Bohachuk, a fight against Jaron Ennis would be the best thing for Vergil Jr. So, when Vergil Ortiz Sr., the father and trainer for Ortiz Jr., learned about the claims from ‘Bozy,’ he unsurprisingly had some questions. “Bozy, when did this [happen]? Can you please post the offer/email/contract of when this was sent,” Ortiz Sr. asked 

“Post the person[’s] name and actual email, please. That way I’m/we are able to confront the person. I don’t appreciate this person making decisions for Vergil. IF this is true,” he added with a hint of sarcasm. Regardless, in the meantime, Ennis’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has greenlit the bout, claiming they are in. 

It appears Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis has landed himself in a weird situation with his comments. However, whether this ends up turning into an actual fight between Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. is yet to be seen. Would you like to watch this fight?