Vergil Ortiz Jr. Seeks to End Contract with Golden Boy Promotions
Vergil Ortiz Jr. has requested the termination of his promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya’s company. The boxer has filed a lawsuit for breach of contract and “interference with [potential] economic advantage” following the failure of negotiations for a fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in a U.S. District Court in Nevada and seeks to end the relationship with Golden Boy, Ortiz’s promoter since the beginning of his professional career in 2016. Ortiz is also seeking unspecified damages.Ortiz is represented by Gregory M. Smith, the same lawyer who represented Canelo Álvarez in his lawsuit against Golden Boy in 2020. That lawsuit also alleged breach of contract regarding the 11-fight, $365 million deal signed in 2018 by Álvarez with Golden Boy and its broadcast partner DAZN. Álvarez was released by Golden Boy later that year. Ortiz’s 32-page lawsuit alleges that there were “several breaches” of the agreement by Golden Boy. Among them, it highlights the claim that De La Hoya is “a controversial and divisive figure in boxing” and that his tense relationships with other promoters are the main reason why an agreement for Ortiz to fight Ennis has not yet been finalized.We are aware of the lawsuit. Unfortunately, Vergil is receiving bad advice from his lawyer and manager, who have repeatedly violated the contract. We will vigorously defend this lawsuit and assert our rights. We are confident that a judge will agree that our contract is valid and that Vergil and his team are in breach.
Golden Boy Promotions
Recently, De La Hoya demanded on social media a 60-40 split in favor of Ortiz with Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn. De La Hoya even suggested that he would move forward after Hearn failed to meet a deadline that De La Hoya had set and would look for other options for Ortiz. However, Ortiz’s manager, Rick Mirigian, responded on social media and stated that there was a lack of communication with Golden Boy Promotions regarding the negotiations. He ended the social media post by offering the fight to another promoter. De La Hoya lashed out at Mirigian on social media and blamed him for the failed negotiations, telling him to “get out of the way” and accusing him of having an agenda. The lawsuit also states that Ortiz has the right to void his promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions if the promotion’s exclusive content partnership with DAZN ends; Golden Boy’s deal with DAZN ended on December 31. However, the lawsuit explains that Golden Boy is negotiating another deal with DAZN to provide content for 2026 and 2027. In May 2024, Ortiz and Golden Boy Promotions extended their promotional agreement for another three years.Although Mr. De La Hoya had [a] legendary boxing career, he has a history of substance abuse and unstable relationships with other boxing promoters. In recent years, he has unprofessionally attacked his colleagues and other boxing luminaries on social media platforms, including weekly Instagram video outbursts in which he often concludes by telling various boxers and promoters to fuck off.
Excerpt from the lawsuit
