It’s now official that Vergil Ortiz Jr. will defend his WBC interim junior middleweight title against Erickson Lubin on November 8 in the 12-round main event on November 8, at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The Ortiz Jr. vs. Lubin event will be shown live on DAZN, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Ortiz Jr. vs. Lubin: Title Fight
The #10-ranked WBC contender Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) has earned a shot at Ortiz Jr’s interim title by winning his last three fights to come back from a ninth-round stoppage loss on April 9, 2022, to Sebastian ‘Towering Inferno’ Fundora. Lubin could have fought IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev for his title, as the sanctioning body had ordered the fight.
Ortiz Jr. had had a tough road in his last two fights, defeating Serhii Bohachuk by a 12-round majority decision last year on August 10, 2024, to win the WBC interim 154-lb title. The scores were 113-113, 114-112, and 114-112. Vergil Jr. was down two times in that fight. In Ortiz Jr’s last bout, he beat former WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov by a 12-round unanimous decision on February 22nd in Riyadh. The scores were 115-113, 115-113, and 117-111.
Vergil Jr’s Readiness
“We want to put him in against a monster. He’s ready for everybody.” This reflects confidence in Ortiz’s readiness to face a skilled fighter like Lubin, who is seen as a top-five contender at 154 lbs,” said Oscar De la Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, talking about Vergil Ortiz Jr.
#1 IBF, #3 WBO, and #10-ranked Lubin, 29, comes into this fight with recent victories over these three fighters:
– Ardreal Holmes Jr.
– Jesus Ramos Jr.
– Luis Arias
Holmes Jr. and Ramos Jr. were both undefeated at the time that Lubin fought them.
“I’m always happy to be a part of the fights that fans want to see,” said Vergil Ortiz. “See you guys on November 8!”
Ortiz Jr. had attempted to set up a fight with WBO junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas before this.. There was no interest shown on the part of the new champion.
Erickson Lubin Seeks Redemption
“I think the fans are in for a treat. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. This fight is about redemption. I’m back for everything,” said Erickson Lubin.
This will be Lubin’s third attempt to win a world title during his 12-year career, which started in 2013. Erickson was 22 years old when he was knocked out in the first round in a loss to former WBC junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo on October 14, 2017.
“Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the most ducked fighter in boxing, period. Big names talk tough until Vergil’s name comes up, then suddenly the phone goes silent. I commend Erickson Lubin; he has the guts that these fighters nowadays lack – courage! He has dared to enter Vergil’s den. Fans are going to see why everyone else keeps running from Vergil Ortiz Jr.,” said De La Hoya.
Last Updated on 08/21/2025
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