Robert Garcia Accuses Jaron Ennis Of Targeting Injured Josh Kelly To Avoid Vergil Ortiz Jr.

“If Boots decides to fight Kelly and take advantage of Kelly being cut and everything, then that’s kind of showing me that you really don’t want to fight Virgil,” Robert said to Sean Zittel. “The fighter will probably do it because he’s a fighter. He’s a warrior, and he’ll probably get the biggest payday in his career, and he could lose to anybody else because, let’s be real, Kelly might not be the best in the division. So, they’re going after him to take advantage of that opportunity to get another belt under his belt.”

The veteran trainer dismissed any suggestion that his fighter needs an interim bout before pursuing the division’s biggest name. Ortiz is already back in camp. He said the former interim champion wants Ennis next.

“We don’t need a tuneup. We want to go straight into Boots,” Garcia said. “If Boots decides to go after him and take advantage of that big old cut, then that’s the way they’re going to do it. I can’t force them either.”

Ennis has repeatedly spoken about adding more world titles, with Kelly and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora mentioned as possible opponents. Garcia rejected that explanation, insisting the larger fight sits across the ring.

“No, that’s a lie. He doesn’t want to fight Virgil,” Garcia said. “The fight against Virgil is three times bigger when it comes to his payday, to a meaningful fight. Nobody’s going to care because you beat Kelly or you beat Virgil. A win over somebody like Virgil means a lot more than Josh Kelly.”

Asked why he believes Ortiz wins the matchup, Garcia offered a brief reply.

“Because I know he beats him,” Garcia said. “I know he beat him.”