Golden Boy promoter says discussions are progressing and expects the unbeaten junior middleweight contender back in the ring before year’s end
Oscar De La Hoya says Golden Boy Promotions is close to resolving its dispute with Vergil Ortiz Jr. and expects the unbeaten contender to fight again before the end of 2026. The promoter revealed that discussions between Golden Boy president Eric Gomez and adviser Rick Mirigian are continuing as both sides work toward an agreement.
“There’s nothing that makes me happier than to see fighters get in the ring and perform. Vergil Ortiz is one of the best fighters out there. I hate not seeing him fight,” De La Hoya said during Golden Boy’s DAZN broadcast on Saturday.
“Do I want to resolve this? Absolutely, a thousand percent. Did they make a mistake? Did we make a mistake? No. There was a misunderstanding, everything is great. Eric Gomez is talking to Rick Mirigian and we’re making this happen.”
De La Hoya said Golden Boy expects the situation to be resolved under the terms of Ortiz’s existing agreement with the company.
“We have the original deal that was in place. Outside people try to ruffle things up, let’s say, but we have the contracts, we have the relationships, we have Vergil Ortiz,” De La Hoya said.
“We’ve had him since he was a baby, since he started boxing professionally. We feel that we’re very close and Vergil Ortiz will fight this year.”
Ortiz last fought in November 2025, stopping Erickson Lubin in two rounds. After the fight, Ortiz and Ennis met face-to-face in the ring, with plans for a high-profile matchup gaining momentum before the contract dispute halted negotiations.
Ortiz is 24-0 with 22 knockouts and remains one of the leading contenders in the junior middleweight division. De La Hoya’s comments indicate that discussions between Golden Boy president Eric Gomez and Ortiz adviser Rick Mirigian are continuing as both sides work toward an agreement.
