Why Oscar De La Hoya issued a legal notice for breach of the Ali Act in a public dispute over the Ortiz vs. Ennis Bout

DAZN and fans have been pushing for a matchup between Jaron "Boots" Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr., which has dominated headlines; the pressure appears to have rubbed De La Hoya the wrong way. While he maintains Ortiz has multiple options beyond Ennis, De La Hoya blasted Eddie Hearn, saying legal action may be needed to rein in Ennis’ management.


Oscar De la Hoya asserts that Ennis' manager pursued the fight alongside Hearn. The Muhammad Ali Act, which prohibits managers from serving as promoters, raises questions about the scenario. After both fighters scored knockout wins in the second half of 2025, Ennis and Ortiz have been linked to a potential clash this year. Apparently, no progress has been made in the negotiations.


As per reports, DAZN, which collaborates with Golden Boy and Matchroom, intervened to advance the fight after negotiations broke down.

Oscar De La Hoya targets Eddie Hearn and Ennis’s camp

In an Instagram post, De La Hoya discusses working with PBC's Al Haymon and wrapping up the Ryan Garcia-Mario Barrios clash.


He commented favourably about working with leading promoters and maintaining big fights in the United States. Eddie Hearn‘s tactics, however, remained a sore point.


De La Hoya said, “Eddie Hearn is begging the media for this Boots and Vergil Ortiz fight.” He referred to it as a poor negotiating tactic.“It’s so stupid as a promoter to pigeonhole your fighter into one opponent.” The idea that Ennis' management might be bypassing Hearn is what worries him the most. As stated by De La Hoya, Ennis' management has been reaching out to Golden Boy directly rather than via Ennis' promoter. Which creates serious problems for him.

“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,” he explains, why he is thinking of taking legal action.

Oscar De La Hoya's reasons for taking legal action

Oscar De La Hoya is simply suggesting that Team Boots stop publicly advocating for the fight and stop circumventing the promoter. If it continues, he will claim it violates federal boxing law. Under the Ali Act, the roles of manager and promoter must remain separate.


The duties of manager and promoter must continue to be different under the Ali Act. Managers have no right to negotiate fights on behalf of the promoter. He adds that fighters need to be aware of who pays them and who represents them. If a fighter is under a promotional contract, the promoter manages negotiations, and the manager directs the fight.


If Ennis’ management is indeed dealing directly with Golden Boy, as Oscar De La Hoya claims, it could violate the Ali Act by blurring that line and weakening the fighter’s legal protections.


Also read: Boxing icon Oscar De La Hoya reaches divorce settlement with ex Millie Corretjer