The attorneys for Vergil Ortiz, Jr. have filed its opposition to Golden Boy’s Request for a Temporary Restraining Order. The hearing will take place on Friday, February 20th.
Golden Boy filed a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order which would prevent Ortiz from signing a deal to fight Jaron Ennis in April. This was in response to Ortiz filing a lawsuit against Golden Boy for Breach of Contract.
The breach centers around this clause in Ortiz’s contract regarding a distribution agreement.
In the event that Promoter’s distribution relationship with DAZN terminates, for any reason, and Promoter does not have an agreement in principle in place for an exclusive distribution relationship with an alternative broadcaster, then Boxer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.
As part of its Opposition, Ortiz includes a Declaration from the Chief Operating Officer of DAZN, Edward McCarthy. He notes that Golden Boy’s “long-term distribution contract” expired on December 31, 2025 and that while it has aired “one off” shows it has no long-term agreement.
The Declaration notes that while there are negotiations, no term contract “has been formally agreed, approved or signed by the parties.” It also notes that it is aware of negotiations for an Ortiz-Ennis fight tentatively set for April 18, 2026 airing on DAZN.
Ortiz also submitted a declaration where he indicates the potential pay for him for his next three fights through Matchroom Boxing.
Attached to his Declaration, as it was in his lawsuit, was a copy of the Promotional Rights Agreement Ortiz had with Golden Boy .
Payout Perspective:
Ortiz’s side will argue that Golden Boy does not deserve a restraining order despite the fact that a proposed Ennis fight may occur in April. They are pointing to the fact that Golden Boy has yet to secure a long-term broadcast deal with DAZN, as confirmed through McCarthy’s declaration. They will argue that Golden Boy will unlikely prevail in Ortiz’s lawsuit for breach of contract. Ortiz also argue that despite a clause in the contract that the parties must go to arbitration, it has no bearing on the matter before the court (TRO). Moreover, the fact that Golden Boy sued Ortiz’s manager, Ortiz argues that it has waived its right to arbitration.
MPO will continue to follow.
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