Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Keith Thurman Talks Confirmed for December Benavidez Undercard

Vergil Ortiz Jr. may finally have his return target. Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya confirmed that negotiations are underway for Ortiz to face former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman on the December David Benavidez card, while stressing that the matchup is not yet finalized. De La Hoya said Golden Boy is “working out things” with Thurman after the long-discussed Jaron “Boots” Ennis fight failed to materialize.

The development matters because Ortiz has been stuck on the sidelines while the top of the 154-pound division keeps moving. Ennis is now headed toward a possible unification with Josh Kelly, and Sebastian Fundora has his own WBC title defense scheduled. Rather than wait for another opening, Golden Boy is trying to get the unbeaten Texas puncher active against a recognizable former champion.

Thurman would bring name value and experience, but this should still be treated as a negotiation rather than an official fight announcement. De La Hoya specifically said Thurman is not yet confirmed as the opponent. If the deal closes, however, Ortiz-Thurman would give the Benavidez card another significant attraction and finally put Ortiz back on a path toward the major fights at junior middleweight.