After fixing their tattered relationship, De La Hoya is ironing out a deal for Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs) to step into the ring against former welterweight champion Keith Thurman. But while the Clearwater, Florida, native does have noteworthy credentials, he's past his best and is coming off a sixth-round knockout loss to Sebastian Fundora. He's also never fought at middleweight.

“The fight doesn't make sense because Vergil's on such a big level,” De La Hoya told DAZN. “But it's the only big name guy available that can make a good fight out of it. It's not the fight I wanted, but it’s gonna get made because of the circumstance we're in.”

A few months prior, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who holds the WBA and WBO junior middleweight titles, was Ortiz’s No. 1 target. But those talks ceased after legal issues between Ortiz and De La Hoya.

Now the matter has been amicably settled, Ortiz’s longtime promoter wants to get him a world title shot at 160 pounds.

Thurman (31-2, 23 KOs), 37, is a steppingstone to that goal. Even though the former 147-pound champion faces an uphill battle, De La Hoya isn't completely overlooking him.

"I know Keith Thurman, They're gonna count him out and say well, he just got stopped by Fundora, he doesn't belong in there with Vergil, but he's a fighter who's got the heart of a lion,” De La Hoya said. “When Thurman steps in the ring, he doesn't back down and doesn't go for a payday.

“We'll get [Ortiz] back on track. He'll have a world title shot soon. The 160-pound division right now is there for the taking and Vergil can steamroll right through everyone. At 160, we'll see his full potential, and every world champion, you put them in line he'll beat them all."