Trainer Stephen Edwards says the odds are stacked against Erickson Lubin to win against Vergil Ortiz Jr. in 25 days on November 8 at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The event will be streamed on DAZN.
Fighting on Enemy Turf
Edwards sees boxing politics making it tough for ‘The Hammer’ Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) to win a decision with him being the B-side, and fighting a “Mexican from Texas,” in Vergil Jr.
To add to that, the reports of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis having signed a contract to fight Ortiz Jr. next spring. When you combine all that, Stephen says that Erickson, 30, must “put on a performance of his lifetime to pull this fight out.” Even if he does, he’s facing an excellent fighter, and it might be too much for him.
Vergil’s Battle-Tested Edge
Vergil Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) has earned his battle stripes in his last two fights, defeating Israil Madrimov and Serhii Bohachuk. Those are fighters that Lubin would have a tough time against.
“Everything in this fight is so against Lubin. If he tries to knock Ortiz out, it’ll be tough on him because if he slugs, he does get hurt sometimes,” said trainer Stephen Edwards to MillCity Boxing about what Erickson Lubin is up against fighting Vergil Ortiz Jr. on November 8.
Lubin was stopped by Jermell Charlo in the first round in an ill-advised fight on October 14, 2017. He had just turned 22 at the time of the fight, and didn’t belong in the same ring with Jermell.
In Lubin’s second defeat, he took a frightful beating, getting stopped in the ninth round by Sebastian Fundora on April 9, 2022. His face was so badly swollen up that he was barely recognizable. That loss wasn’t about youth and inexperience. It was more about being out of his league against the 6’5 1/2″ Fundora. He wasn’t going to beat him at any age that night.
Lubin’s Only Path: Perfection
“If he boxes, who knows if he’s going to get credit to win a decision out in Texas. Now, with them talking about the ‘Boots’ and Ortiz fight, money talks,” said Edwards. “Lubin is going to have to put on a performance of his lifetime to pull this fight out.”
There will be a lot of money on the line for the ‘Boots’ Ennis vs. Ortiz Jr. fight. It makes sense for Lubin to be very concerned about his chances of winning a decision when he factors in the potential fight happening next. The boxing world wants that fight, and he’s viewed as just a hurdle.
“I’m speaking reality. I know how this game goes. Now that ‘Boots’ has supposedly signed a contract and he and Ortiz for next Spring,” said Edwards.
Dan Ambrose has covered boxing since 2011, offering trusted insight on the sport’s biggest fights.
Last Updated on 10/14/2025
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