Undefeated boxer Vergil Ortiz Jr. sues Golden Boy Promotions to terminate contract

Undefeated WBA interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. has filed a federal lawsuit against Golden Boy Promotions to terminate his contract with the firm owned by Oscar De La Hoya.

The legal action, filed in a Nevada district court, comes as negotiations for a high-stakes bout against Jaron “Boots” Ennis have stalled. Ortiz is asking a judge to confirm that his promotional agreement is officially terminated.

The lawsuit alleges that Golden Boy breached its contract and interfered with Ortiz’s ability to earn a living. According to the filing, a specific clause allowed Ortiz to leave the company if Golden Boy’s broadcasting partnership with DAZN ended.

Ortiz claims that condition was met when the promoter’s deal with the streaming service expired on Dec. 31, 2025. He says he officially exercised his right to terminate the contract on Jan. 8, 2026.

Golden Boy acknowledged that its agreement with DAZN has concluded but argues that Ortiz remains under contract because the company is actively negotiating a renewal.

The lawsuit further accuses Golden Boy of failing to negotiate the Ennis fight in good faith. Golden Boy denied the allegations and stated it plans to vigorously contest the lawsuit.

Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s legal challenge against Golden Boy Promotions represents more than a standard breach-of-contract dispute; it signals a deepening institutional crisis for the firm led by Oscar De La Hoya. This litigation follows a familiar and damaging pattern for the promoter, as Ortiz has retained the same legal counsel that successfully navigated Canelo Álvarez’s high-profile exit. The recurrence of such high-stakes friction suggests a systemic inability within Golden Boy to retain its elite talent.

At the heart of the dispute is the issue of career autonomy. At 27, Ortiz is in his physical prime, yet he alleges that his promoter has become a bottleneck, obstructing the marquee matchups—specifically against Jaron Ennis—necessary to secure both his legacy and his maximum earning potential.

Crucially, the lawsuit highlights a fundamental shift in the commercial landscape of modern boxing: the rise of Saudi Arabian influence. By citing De La Hoya’s fractured relationship with pivotal figures like Turki al-Sheikh, the complaint suggests that Golden Boy’s failure to adapt to new geopolitical and financial power centers is directly disadvantaging its fighters. In an era where "Riyadh Season" has become the primary engine for major bouts, an isolated promoter is a liability.

For Golden Boy, the fallout is likely to be more than financial. Even if the firm prevails in court, the reputational damage may be irreversible. The perception that the promotion cannot fulfill the ambitions of its marquee stars will hamper its efforts to recruit top-tier prospects in an increasingly competitive market. Ultimately, the resolution of this case will not only decide the trajectory of Ortiz’s peak years but will serve as a referendum on Golden Boy’s future in the sport’s upper echelon.