Nevada Court Hearing on Vergil Ortiz Jr.
A Nevada court hearing regarding a temporary restraining order (TRO) against boxer Vergil Ortiz Jr. by Golden Boy Promotions has yet to yield a ruling more than nine days after it took place. The TRO, which was originally issued on February 13, has expired, prompting Ortiz’s legal team to file an urgent request on Monday for the court to recognize that the TRO is no longer enforceable. This would allow Ortiz, the WBC interim super welterweight champion, to negotiate for his next fight without restrictions.
Legal Arguments and Implications
Attorney Gregory Smith highlighted in court documents obtained by Uncrowned that Ortiz was on the verge of agreeing to a promotional deal earlier in February 2026, which included a scheduled fight against Jaron “Boots” Ennis on April 18. Smith pointed out that since the TRO was enacted, Ennis’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, reaffirmed his fighter’s interest in the matchup but cautioned that additional delays beyond a few days could lead Ennis to consider other opponents.
Ortiz’s legal motion emphasized the urgency of the situation, arguing that missing out on the opportunity to fight Ennis would lead to “irreparable harm.” Smith stated that Ortiz is ready to swiftly finalize an agreement with Ennis, emphasizing the financial implications and significance of this opportunity for the young fighter.
Golden Boy Promotions’ Position
Golden Boy Promotions initially secured the TRO by claiming that allowing Ortiz to pursue fights independently would harm their interests, particularly concerning a media rights deal with DAZN. However, DAZN’s COO Ed McCarthy has contradicted this assertion in a signed declaration, indicating that DAZN would still be open to negotiating a broadcasting agreement with Golden Boy, regardless of their representation of Ortiz.
This declaration undermines Golden Boy’s case, leading them to note that McCarthy, being part of Matchroom USA—Ennis’s promoter—would benefit if Ortiz were able to fight without the Golden Boy partnership. Court documents suggest that if Ortiz is granted the autonomy to sign a promotional deal, he may enter into a three-fight agreement with Matchroom, including the highly anticipated contest against Ennis, should the court resolve this issue favorably.
