Golden Boy's Legal Shift: A Potential Breakthrough for Ortiz-Ennis?
The highly anticipated Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron Ennis fight may finally be on the horizon, thanks to a recent legal development. Golden Boy Promotions, despite being entangled in a lawsuit with Ortiz, has expressed a willingness to assist in finalizing the bout, according to legal filings.
The dispute between Golden Boy and Ortiz has been a complex legal battle, with Golden Boy securing a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing Ortiz from proceeding without their involvement. However, Golden Boy's president, Eric Gomez, has now declared their readiness to support Ortiz in negotiating and promoting the fight.
In a legal Supplemental Declaration, Gomez stated, 'Golden Boy remains ready and willing to represent Ortiz in negotiating for and promoting a bout between Ortiz and Jaron Ennis.' This statement comes as a surprise, given the ongoing legal dispute, and suggests a potential shift in Golden Boy's stance.
Gomez further revealed that Golden Boy would guarantee Ortiz's purse of $3 million, plus any promotional upside, a significant offer that could be a crucial factor in resolving the dispute.
The legal proceedings have been intense, with Judge Cristina Silva granting Golden Boy's TRO against Ortiz and his manager, Rick Mirigan, on February 13. Ortiz's team has until February 17 to file an opposition, after which Golden Boy must respond by February 18. A hearing is scheduled for Friday at the Las Vegas courthouse, adding to the urgency of the situation.
The fight's potential resolution is further complicated by the involvement of streaming service DAZN, which has called for a resolution by Friday. DAZN plans to air the Ortiz-Ennis fight as part of its Ultimate service, offering a pay-one-price commitment for quality-level pay-per-view events.
The fight is expected to take place on April 18 in Las Vegas, but the legal and contractual hurdles must be cleared first. Golden Boy's ability to renew its output deal with DAZN is crucial, as their relationship has been strained since Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's departure in 2020. The latest deal expired on December 31, and Ortiz's lawsuit cited this as a breach of contract, arguing for its termination.
The lawsuit also highlighted Golden Boy chairman Oscar De La Hoya's erratic behavior, particularly his viral 'Clapback Thursdays' segment, which caused irreparable harm to the fight's promotion. However, it was discovered that Ortiz's team was negotiating independently, leading Golden Boy to file the TRO request to prevent an announcement without their involvement.
Gomez noted, 'Golden Boy offered Ortiz a $3m guarantee plus upside for the Ennis fight,' according to court records. This offer provides Golden Boy with an opportunity to secure a new deal with DAZN for at least the next two years and revive the March 14 card, which includes the Oscar Collazo-Melvin Jerusalem rematch and other high-profile fights.
The Ortiz-Ennis fight's resolution is now in the hands of the legal system and the parties involved. With Golden Boy's willingness to assist and the potential for a lucrative deal, there is hope that this highly anticipated bout will finally become a reality, despite the ongoing legal battles.
