“I haven’t heard from Vergil Ortiz. I don’t even know if he knows what’s going on,” De La Hoya said. “We’re going to do what we have to do to protect our rights and take it from there.”
Ortiz filed a lawsuit in Nevada earlier this year to end his longtime promotional deal with Golden Boy. His argument centers on the expiration of Golden Boy’s output deal with DAZN on December 31, 2025.
Ortiz’s lawsuit contends that the expiration of Golden Boy’s DAZN deal changed the structure around his promotional deal.
Golden Boy rejects that view and says its working relationship with DAZN continues and that the promotional agreement remains in place.
The case quickly escalated. Golden Boy obtained a temporary restraining order from Judge Cristina D. Silva preventing Ortiz from entering into third-party agreements without the company’s involvement. The order specifically referred to a proposed fight on April 18 with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, which Golden Boy argued would cause “irreparable harm” if settled beyond his control.
Golden Boy also countered, seeking more than $10 million in damages from Ortiz’s manager, Rick Mirigian, alleging interference with the promotional contract. The legal stance indicates a sharp shift in tone.
“I’m not going to be disrespected anymore,” De La Hoya said. “Enough of the Golden Boy Mr. Nice Guy. I’m going to protect my rights. I’m not wrong. I’m telling the truth.”
De La Hoya added that he was surprised by the move, pointing to public praise from Ortiz in December and a holiday message from Ortiz’s father thanking him for his support.
The dispute now leaves Ortiz, 26, unable to move forward until the court makes its ruling. A return in April against Ennis would have been one of the most important fights of his run. Instead, the outcome depends on whether the court compels arbitration or allows the termination claim to proceed.
For Golden Boy, the issue is simple: enforceability. If the contract holds, the company retains control over Ortiz’s next move. Failing that, another high-profile fighter leaves a traditional promotional structure during a period of rapid financial change in the sport.
De La Hoya’s message Saturday night left little room for compromise. Until a judge says otherwise, Golden Boy considers the agreement binding.
