Vergil Ortiz Jr. Challenge Golden Boy to Ennis Fight Stop

Ortiz filed opposition in Nevada to remove the restriction and move forward with outside offers, including a large financial package from Matchroom Boxing.

According to court records reviewed by Sports IllustratedOrtiz’s legal team argues that Golden Boy failed to honor key terms of his promotional agreement by trying to pressure him into accepting the Ennis fight without proposing alternative opponents. Ortiz’s manager, Rick Mirigian, said Golden Boy warned that Ortiz would sit on the bench if he turned down the bout, while not offering the three opponents required under the contract.

Golden Boy moves to stop Ortiz from leaving

The situation worsened after Ortiz received large offers from rival promoters. Matchroom Boxing has proposed a three-fight deal that includes an April 18 fight against Ennis, guaranteeing Ortiz $12 million with potential earnings rising to $20 million. Another promoter offered a separate offer worth a guaranteed $16 million, with additional revenue tied to ticket and pay-per-view performance.

Golden Boy then moved to stop Ortiz from leaving, obtaining a restraining order keeping him tied to the company for the time being. The move prevents Ortiz from accepting the Matchroom deal and delays a fight that would have been one of the biggest welterweight bouts of the year.

Ortiz remains undefeated and widely regarded as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders, but the dispute is now putting his activity on hold. Until the situation is resolved, he cannot move forward with the Ennis fight or finalize a new deal elsewhere, leaving his return to the ring dependent on the outcome of the fight between fighter and promoter.