The much-anticipated boxing showdown between Jaron "Boots" Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr., a fight heavily promoted by fans and streaming service DAZN, has hit a major roadblock. The negotiations have sparked a fiery controversy, with promoter Oscar De La Hoya threatening legal action against the management of Ennis and rival promoter Eddie Hearn.
De La Hoya's Instagram Rant Targets Hearn and Ennis' Camp
In a recent social media post, Oscar De La Hoya, founder of Golden Boy Promotions, expressed his frustration. While discussing successful collaborations with other promoters like PBC's Al Haymon, he singled out Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn. De La Hoya accused Hearn of using the media to pressure for the Ennis-Ortiz fight, calling it a "stupid" and poor negotiating tactic that limits a fighter's options.
His primary concern, however, lies with the actions of Jaron Ennis' management. De La Hoya claims that Ennis' team has been contacting Golden Boy Promotions directly to discuss the Ortiz fight, bypassing Ennis' official promoter, Eddie Hearn. This, De La Hoya asserts, is a serious breach of professional protocol.
The Muhammad Ali Act and the Threat of Legal Action
The core of De La Hoya's argument hinges on the Muhammad Ali Act, a federal law designed to protect boxers. This legislation mandates a clear separation between a fighter's manager and promoter. Managers are not permitted to negotiate fights, a role reserved for the promoter under contract.
"Every time a manager tries to be a hero and negotiate behind the promoter’s back, they lose money for the fighter and at the same time violate the Muhammad Ali Act," De La Hoya explained. He issued a clear warning: if Ennis' management continues to negotiate directly and advocate for the fight publicly, he will pursue legal action for violating this federal boxing law.
De La Hoya emphasized that such actions blur critical lines, potentially weakening the legal protections afforded to the fighter. He stressed that fighters must be acutely aware of who is responsible for paying them and who is legally representing their interests in negotiations.
A Blockbuster Fight Stalled
The potential clash between Ennis and Ortiz gained massive traction after both fighters secured knockout victories in the latter part of 2025. DAZN, which has partnerships with both Golden Boy and Matchroom, has been pushing for the bout. Reports indicate that after initial negotiations between the promotional companies stalled, DAZN stepped in to try and revive the talks, but no progress has been made.
While De La Hoya maintains that Vergil Ortiz Jr. has multiple options beyond fighting Ennis, the public demand for this matchup has created significant pressure. The promoter's latest comments suggest that unless negotiations are conducted strictly through the proper channels—with promoters dealing with promoters—this highly sought-after fight may remain in limbo, entangled in legal threats rather than being finalized in the ring.
