The two have long been linked to a blockbuster clash, but have struggled to get a deal over the line amid the latter's legal conflict with promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

Ortiz sued Golden Boy at the start of the year, but saw his path blocked by a judge in Nevada earlier this week, keeping him out of the ring while he resolves matters.

Speaking to The Ring, Hearn has confirmed that Ennis will now seek a new opponent for his next test, revealing that he is chasing a May date for his superstar man.

"I guess that [legal] scenario can be settled instantly, or it can never be settled,” Hearn told The Ring on Friday. “But we’re moving on with Jaron Ennis, in a sense.

"If we get something else done, we go in for it. We’ve started to make plans,. I will never really give up on Ennis versus Ortiz. It’s the best fight in American boxing.

"Rght now, we are obviously planning the future of Jaron Ennis. Josh Kelly is obviously a fight that can be made. The Xander Zayas fight is a huge fight in America as well.

"Jermell Charlo has been on. There is a whole host. We will get Boots a big fight. He will fight in May.”

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPVs included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including Chisora vs. Wilder (April 4), and Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), on top of another 185 fight nights and Serie A football. 

Sign up for £22.99 / $44.99 per month. More details here.