Vergil Ortiz Jr. Takes Legal Action Against Golden Boy Promotions
Vergil Ortiz Jr. has taken legal action against Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in a burgeoning dispute over a promotional contract. The WBC interim champion filed a lawsuit in Nevada, alleging breach of contract and interference with his future earnings.
Contractual Dispute
The 25-year-old Ortiz, who is hoping to secure a lucrative future in boxing, signed a three-year agreement with Golden Boy in May of 2024 that guaranteed him at least $1 million per fight. However, Ortiz’s legal team argues that he is entitled to terminate this agreement since it stipulates that he can exit the contract if Golden Boy fails to maintain an active broadcasting deal with DAZN or secure an exclusive agreement with another distributor.
As it stands, Golden Boy’s deal with DAZN lapsed on December 31, 2025, and although negotiations for an extension are in progress, no new contract has been finalized yet. Golden Boy’s legal representatives assert that Ortiz cannot consider himself a free agent while talks remain ongoing regarding DAZN’s media rights.
Frustrations Over Match Negotiations
Notably, Ortiz’s lawsuit comes amidst ongoing frustrations over a highly anticipated match against fellow contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis, which remains unannounced despite ongoing discussions since Ortiz’s victory over Erickson Lubin on November 8. Complicating matters, Ortiz’s manager Rick Mirigian claims he holds the right to negotiate directly with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, arguing that Ortiz should be viewed as a promotional free agent due to the uncertainty surrounding Golden Boy’s contract status.
Dispute Over Promotional Rights
Despite De La Hoya’s insistence—demonstrated through various social media posts—that he retains exclusive promotional rights over Ortiz, the legal filing indicates a serious rift. It’s reported that De La Hoya and Hearn had originally settled on a 45% purse split for Ortiz and Ennis, with 10% allocated to the winner, but De La Hoya has allegedly shifted his stance, seeking a 55%-35% split instead.
Implications for Future Fights
This dispute extends beyond mere contractual obligations, as DAZN has yet to renew its agreement with Golden Boy, primarily due to the latter’s failure to facilitate the Ortiz-Ennis bout, which DAZN views as the most desirable matchup for both fighters. With DAZN asserting its position on wanting the fight, Golden Boy has proposed that Ortiz only face Ennis, potentially violating the contractual requirement to consider at least three potential opponents for the boxer.
As the clock ticks on media deals and with the landscape of boxing promotions shifting—especially in light of other major promoters losing their broadcasting partnerships—this legal battle hints at the larger stakes involved, both for Ortiz’s career trajectory and the promotional stability of Golden Boy Promotions.
