Vergil Ortiz Jr. has stated his intention to deliver a powerful showing when he defends his WBC junior middleweight title against Erickson Lubin on November 8, 2025, broadcasted on DAZN. The two fighters will headline a scheduled 12-round contest, anticipated to be an intense battle, held at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lubin’s Formidable Abilities
Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) possesses significant punching power and a diverse range of skills. He is capable of boxing, engaging in slugfests, or utilizing movement. Vergil Jr., promoted by Golden Boy, will need to effectively solve the challenge Lubin presents, or risk facing his first professional defeat.
“My goal is to compete against everyone in the 154-lb division, as I am currently doing. I aspire to fight all the champions and demonstrate that I am the best. I want to prove it not only to everyone else, but primarily to myself,” Vergil Ortiz Jr. communicated to Golden Boy Promotions.
Should Ortiz Jr., 27, overcome Lubin on November 8th, he will then need to consider Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis as a potential opponent. Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, is actively advocating for this matchup. Golden Boy will need to carefully evaluate the risks before agreeing to that contest, as Ortiz Jr. could be outmatched.
“I believe in fighters competing against all challengers. I want to be that kind of fighter, one that earns the respect of all fans. My aim is to dominate the division, taking on champions and prospects alike,” stated Vergil Jr.
Insights From the Bohachuk Encounter
It is unlikely that Ortiz Jr. will remain at 154 for an extended period to have the opportunity to battle all the top contenders. There are approximately five talented individuals in the junior middleweight division that Vergil Jr. could face before potentially moving up to 160, but his actions will greatly contribute to that possibility. He narrowly secured a victory over Serhii Bohachuk in their fight on August 10, 2024. While the judges awarded Ortiz Jr. a 12-round majority decision, numerous boxing enthusiasts believed he had lost.
“It is a fight that people are going to find quite interesting. Lubin is not a pushover,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya about the Ortiz Jr. versus Erickson Lubin bout scheduled for November 8th. “The fact that numerous fighters are unwilling to face Vergil only motivates him further.”
Lessons Lubin Took From Fundora
Ortiz Jr. versus Lubin should prove to be engaging for the duration of the contest. Lubin will likely avoid engaging in a direct war with the younger Ortiz, as he should recognize that this would play to Ortiz’s strengths. Erickson was stopped by Sebastian Fundora in 2022 when he opted to fight him in a close-quarters battle. ‘The Hammer’ Lubin gained valuable knowledge from that fight, as he has since chosen to box against Ardreal Holmes Jr. and Jesus Ramos Jr.
