Vergil Ortiz Jr. was close to securing the biggest fight available to him. The paperwork never made it to the finish line. A Nevada federal judge granted Golden Boy Promotions a temporary restraining order barring Ortiz from signing contracts with third-party promoters while the contractual lawsuit between the two parties remains unresolved, according to court filings and multiple reports.
The order came at the exact point Ortiz’s team was finalizing a bout with Jaron “Boots” Ennis for an April 18 Matchroom card. That deal hinged on Ortiz’s ability to move freely in the market. The court ruling removed that ability and stopped the process before signatures were completed.
Judge stops Ortiz from leaving
Ortiz believed Golden Boy’s expired DAZN broadcast deal cleared the way forward. That platform deal ended on December 31, 2025, and Ortiz’s side saw its expiration as the natural end of the promotional relationship. Golden Boy disagreed and filed suit, arguing that his promotional contract with Ortiz continued independent of any network arrangement. The restraining order confirms the court has accepted enough of Golden Boy’s position to intervene while the legal dispute continues.
Golden Boy moves to retain contractual control
The timing leaves little doubt as to why the order was requested when it was. Ortiz’s manager has already been pushing bookings for the Ennis fight, and the deal is nearing completion. Golden Boy moved through the legal system to prevent Ortiz from committing to a rival promoter’s event. The court’s decision ensures that no new agreements can be finalized until the contractual question is decided.
The immediate effect extends beyond Ortiz himself. Ennis was clinching a fight that carried real competitive value and answered questions about the division’s hierarchy. That opportunity disappeared overnight as soon as the restraining order came into effect. Ennis now returns to the hunt for an opponent, while Ortiz remains unavailable until the lawsuit moves forward.
Golden Boy has not obtained a final ruling on Ortiz’s contractual status, but they have achieved the immediate goal of preventing him from leaving. The restraining order places his career under legal supervision for the time being. Each future move depends on the court’s timeline rather than the normal pace of battle negotiation.
This situation removes uncertainty about one thing. Ortiz’s attempt to leave Golden Boy is no longer a matter of negotiation or preference. It is now a legal battle, and the court has control over when his career is allowed to move again.
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Last updated on 14/02/2026
