The comments come amid uneven progress in talks that appeared short of a solution late last year. Ortiz’s November knockout of Erickson Lubin increased interest in a meeting with Ennis, who sat in the prime for the fight and later faced Ortiz in the ring. Since then, discussions have continued without an agreement, with money and control still remaining key issues.
De La Hoya used the post to underscore that Ortiz has other options. He hinted at potential fights with Errol Spence Jr. in Dallas and Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas, and pointed to larger venues and established markets as alternatives should negotiations with Matchroom not move forward. The message was that Ortiz is available but not dependent on one opponent.
The proposed scholarship split has drawn scrutiny, with many observers viewing the matchup as competitive on paper. Ennis enters the discussion as a former unified welterweight champion moving up in weight, while Ortiz is coming off one of the most visible wins of his career. Broadcaster interest also played a role, with DAZN earlier reported to support the fight.
Despite the confrontational language, De La Hoya did not rule Ennis out as the next opponent. He said Ennis remains part of Ortiz’s plans and has outlined terms he will accept, suggesting talks could continue if Matchroom is willing to adjust its position.
Public exchanges between promoters are common during high-level negotiations, especially when financial structure and billing are unresolved. Whether the sixty-forty request represents a firm requirement or an opening position remains unclear.
For now, no fight has been announced. Any progress is expected to depend on Matchroom’s response and the willingness of both sides to bridge the gap on terms. De La Hoya’s post made it clear that Golden Boy believes time is on his side.
