A bold move by DAZN could be the catalyst for a much-needed revolution in boxing. The sport has long suffered from a lack of initiative by broadcasters to push for the fights fans crave.
The ongoing negotiations between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron "Boots" Ennis are a prime example of this. DAZN, the streaming platform, is reportedly insistent on making this junior-middleweight showdown happen, with talks suggesting an early spring date in Las Vegas.
This bout, between the unbeaten Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs) and Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs), is a mouth-watering prospect. Despite the absence of a full title on the line, these two fighters are on a collision course, as evidenced by their recent performances.
Ennis, at 28, knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round, while Ortiz, at 27, dispatched former title challenger Erickson Lubin in just two rounds. With Ennis in attendance, the stage was set for a post-fight challenge, and both fighters expressed interest.
However, there were whispers of an alternative bout, pitting Ortiz against former welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. While a fight with Spence would draw attention, especially in Texas, Spence's recent performance against Terence Crawford and the lack of buzz surrounding that fight compared to Ortiz-Ennis, make this an unwise choice.
This type of matchmaking, often seen in the past, has contributed to the decline of boxing coverage on major networks. It's time for a change, especially with the competition from Saudi Arabia's deep pockets.
Eddie Hearn, who co-founded DAZN with his Matchroom promotion, has confirmed Ennis' commitment to the Ortiz fight. Ortiz himself has expressed confidence that this bout will materialize.
In a year that promises glamorous matchups, such as Teofimo Lopez's title defense against Shakur Stevenson, and talks of a Cinco de Mayo clash between David Benavidez and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, the Ortiz-Ennis fight stands out as the most significant development.
Giving the fans what they want is a powerful strategy. Boxing has lost its way by not doing so, and it's time to embrace this sea change. What's the worst that could happen by listening to the fans and delivering the fights they desire?
