Undefeated boxing champion Vergil Ortiz Jr has launched a major legal offensive against his long-time promoter, filing a federal lawsuit against Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions. The action seeks to sever their contractual ties and alleges significant breaches, centring on a failed attempt to secure a career-defining bout against fellow interim champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis.
Contractual Crossroads: The DAZN Dispute
The legal complaint, filed on Thursday in a US district court in Nevada, hinges on a pivotal clause in Ortiz's promotional agreement. The 27-year-old WBC interim junior middleweight champion argues his contract allowed him to terminate the deal if Golden Boy's broadcast partnership with streaming service DAZN ended.
Ortiz's legal team contends this condition was triggered when the promoter's deal with DAZN expired on 31 December 2024. He formally exercised his right to exit the agreement on 8 January 2025. Golden Boy, however, disputes this interpretation. The company acknowledges the DAZN deal concluded but maintains Ortiz remains under contract because they are actively negotiating a renewal covering 2026 and 2027.
Ortiz's lawsuit counters that ongoing talks and exchanged drafts do not constitute a binding agreement, insisting the contract language requires a completed deal, not merely "an agreement to agree." The fighter seeks declaratory relief from the court to clarify his contractual status, arguing this uncertainty is damaging the prime years of his career.
The Missed Matchup: Allegations Over Ennis Negotiations
Beyond the termination clause, the lawsuit alleges Golden Boy breached its agreement well before the split, primarily through its handling—or alleged mishandling—of negotiations for a fight with Jaron Ennis. This matchup, between two undefeated interim champions at 154lbs, is seen as a natural step towards an undisputed title fight and one of the most anticipated in the sport.
The complaint claims Ortiz instructed Golden Boy to work with Ennis's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, but that Golden Boy failed to act in good faith. It alleges Oscar De La Hoya's strained relationships with rival promoters and key figures like Saudi boxing power broker Turki al-Sheikh undermined opportunities to stage the lucrative fight, particularly given Saudi Arabia's recent role in financing major boxing events.
Furthermore, Ortiz alleges Golden Boy violated a contractual obligation to present him with at least three opponent options per bout, instead offering only the single Ennis proposal and threatening to sideline him if he declined. The lawsuit also claims the promoter failed to disclose written documents from meetings involving Golden Boy, Matchroom, and DAZN that related to the potential Ennis fight.
Industry Confusion and a Growing Legal Legacy
Following Ortiz's termination attempt, the complaint alleges Golden Boy continued to publicly assert control over his career, setting unauthorised negotiation terms and deadlines. Ortiz argues these actions sowed confusion within the boxing industry and interfered with his ability to negotiate independently with other promoters.
In a statement, Golden Boy firmly rejected Ortiz's claims. "We are aware of the lawsuit," a spokesperson said. "Unfortunately, Vergil is getting bad advice from his lawyer and manager who have repeatedly violated the contract. We will aggressively defend this lawsuit and enforce our rights."
Ortiz is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, alleging Golden Boy's conduct cost him millions in lost fight purses, sponsorships, and related earnings. This lawsuit places Ortiz in a growing line of elite fighters, including Canelo Álvarez, who have taken Golden Boy to court over contractual disputes. Notably, Ortiz's attorney, Gregory Smith, previously represented Álvarez in his successful effort to exit a promotional deal with De La Hoya's company.
The outcome of this federal case could have significant ramifications for both the fighter's immediate future and the complex relationship between promoters and athletes in modern boxing.
