AUTUMN is shaping up to be a busy period for the super-welterweight division.
WBC champion Sebastian Fundora is widely expected to defend his title against former WBA holder Keith Thurman on October 25, while IBF belt-holder Bakhram Murtazaliev has been ordered to make his second defence against Josh Kelly.
Meanwhile, the man many regard as the true number one at 154lbs, Vergil Ortiz Jr, is set to face southpaw Erickson Lubin, 27-2 (19 KOs), in early November, as first reported by Boxing Scene.
Ortiz, unbeaten 23-0 (21 KOs) and holding the WBC interim strap, is unlikely to challenge one of the full champions until 2026. Golden Boy Promotions appear to have mapped out a two-fight plan for the 27-year-old, starting with Lubin. If Ortiz gets past the 29-year-old Floridian, a showdown with Jaron Ennis could follow.
Ennis, who rose to the top of the welterweight division and captured two world titles, is now moving up to 154lbs. He begins his campaign on October 11 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, against Portuguese-based Angolan Uisma Lima.
Lubin, who fell short in his first world title challenge eight years ago, is determined to seize this chance. “The fans are in for a treat. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. The fight is about redemption. I’m back – for everything.”
