Oscar De La Hoya confirmed that Golden Boy Promotions is making progress toward resolving its contract dispute with unbeaten junior middleweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr., who is now expected to return to the ring before the end of the year.
“There’s nothing that makes me happier than to see fighters get in the ring and perform. Vergil Ortiz is one of the best fighters out there. I hate not seeing him fight,” De La Hoya said during Golden Boy’s DAZN broadcast on Saturday.
“Do I want to resolve this? Absolutely, a thousand percent. Did they make a mistake? Did we make a mistake? No. There was a misunderstanding, everything is great. Eric Gomez is talking to Rick Mirigian and we’re making this happen.”
De La Hoya indicated that Golden Boy expects to resolve the situation under the terms of Ortiz’s existing agreement with the company.
“We have the original deal that was in place. Outside people try to ruffle things up, let’s say, but we have the contracts, we have the relationships, we have Vergil Ortiz,” De La Hoya said.
“We’ve had him since he was a baby, since he started boxing professionally. We feel that we’re very close and Vergil Ortiz will fight this year.”
Ortiz has been inactive since late 2025 after a disagreement with Golden Boy derailed projected plans for a fight against Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
The 24-0 contender, who holds a 22-0 knockout record, last fought in November 2025, stopping Erickson Lubin in two rounds. Following that victory, Ortiz and Ennis faced off face-to-face at the ring, building momentum for what was expected to be a highly anticipated matchup before the contract dispute intervened.
Discussions between Golden Boy president Eric Gomez and Ortiz’s advisor Rick Mirigian continue as both parties work toward an agreement that would see the talented prospect return to action in the fall.
