Unbeaten welterweight contender Delante Johnson, who has sparred Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jaron Ennis, believes that one has ‘more tools in his bag.’
The two undefeated super-welterweight operators have been on a collision course since their days at 147lbs but, even now, it would seem that their all-American clash remains a few steps away from materialising.
Nevertheless, there is still hope that at some point later this year the pair will finally lock horns in what promises to be a truly captivating affair.
Ortiz has established himself as the more proven contender at 154lbs, particularly with points victories over Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk.
It was then a two-round demolition job against Erickson Lubin, which took place in November, that cemented the 27-year-old as one of his division’s most formidable punchers.
Ennis, meanwhile, was able to outshine his domestic rival at welterweight, becoming a unified world champion following his sixth-round stoppage victory over Eimantas Stanionis in April 2025.
After that, ‘Boots’ made the decision to move up in weight and faced Uisma Lima, who he ruthlessly dispatched in one round last October.
Since then, a fight between Ortiz and Ennis has been teased by Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, who promotes the latter, as a genuine possibility for this year.
Fans hold out hope, however recent comments from Ortiz’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, and his manager, Rick Mirigian, do not bode well for the fight’s chances.
If it does, Delante Johnson, who spoke with YSM Sports Media, is as good a man to rate the pair as any. After multiple rounds of sparring with both Ennis and Ortiz, he was asked to compare and contrast.
“I feel like Vergil has good timing, and he’s strong. And he has good head movement when he’s being aggressive, walking somebody down.
“But I feel like ‘Boots’ has more tools in his bag. He can switch from [orthodox to southpaw], he’s got speed, power, [and] he’s got really good timing.
“His footwork is real good and he’s crafty and smart.”
Whether the recent performances of Ortiz have changed Johnson’s mind, it remains to be seen, but the American nonetheless seems more convinced by the flashy skills of Ennis.
