Oscar De La Hoya Says Golden Boy Will Protect Contract in Ortiz Dispute

Golden Boy secures restraining order as $10 million countersuit escalates dispute

Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s proposed fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis is now tied up in federal court. Oscar De La Hoya says Golden Boy Promotions will enforce its contract and block any outside deal.

Speaking after Ryan Garcia’s win Saturday night, De La Hoya addressed the legal battle that has quickly intensified over Ortiz’s promotional agreement.

“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 suit in Nevada seeking to terminate his long-standing promotional contract, arguing that Golden Boy’s output deal with DAZN expired on December 31, 2025, and altered the structure surrounding his agreement. Golden Boy rejects that position and maintains its working relationship with DAZN continues under revised terms.

The dispute escalated when Judge Cristina D. Silva granted Golden Boy a temporary restraining order preventing Ortiz from entering third-party agreements without company involvement. The filing specifically cited a proposed April 18 fight with Ennis, arguing it would cause irreparable harm if finalized outside Golden Boy’s control.

Golden Boy then countersued, seeking more than $10 million in damages from Ortiz’s manager Rick Mirigian, alleging interference with the promotional contract. The company shifted from negotiation to litigation in a matter of days.

“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 in the wrong. I say the truth.”

For Ortiz, 26, the timing is significant. An April return against Ennis would represent the most meaningful fight of his run at welterweight. Instead, his next move depends on whether the court compels arbitration or allows the termination claim to proceed.

Promotional contracts tied to broadcast output deals often become vulnerable when those media agreements change. Federal judges rarely intervene unless control over a fighter’s next bout is clearly at stake.

If the contract holds, Golden Boy controls Ortiz’s next fight. If the termination claim succeeds, another high-profile fighter exits a traditional promotional structure at a time when new broadcast money and short-term deals are reshaping boxing’s business model.

Until a judge rules otherwise, Golden Boy considers the agreement binding.