Hearn said Golden Boy later shifted his position and asked for a 60–40 split in Ortiz’s favor, with five percent still going to the winner. De La Hoya has publicly said he won’t budge from those numbers and has described Hearn as “begging” during negotiations.
That change matters because, according to Hearn’s account, the original terms were already closed.
“We all agreed to the deal,” Hearn said. “Fifty-five and five percent to the winner. Jaron signed. Vergil did not.”
Hearn said the winner’s bonus is designed to reward confidence. If a fighter believes he will win, the upside is clear. The split effectively becomes 55–45 for the winner. Hearn described it as an obvious fix for a fight that is widely considered competitive on paper.
He also rejected the idea that pressure for the game indicates weakness.
“I’m desperate,” Hearn said. “Desperate to make the best fights.”
De La Hoya countered by saying he had other options for Ortiz. Some fans read that stance as strategic distance. If Ennis walks away, Ortiz avoids being blamed for the fight collapsing.
Hearn said he needs to talk to his fighter now because the situation has changed.
“We agreed,” he said. “If that deal is no longer available, that’s a different conversation.”
For now, the fight remains unsigned, not because terms could not be found, but because previously agreed terms are being reopened. That distinction is important, and it does not reflect well on the side asking to rewrite the room after the fact.
