VERGIL ORTIZ JR looks to extend his tenacious surge against top opposition as he gears up to face Erickson Lubin, a former world title challenger, on November 8.
It was announced just yesterday that the pair will square off at the Dickies Arena, Texas, with Ortiz, 23-0 (21 KOs), claiming an all-important home advantage.
Indeed, the unbeaten Texan is poised to enter their super-welterweight contest as a sizable favourite, yet Lubin, 27-2 (19 KOs), nonetheless represents a versatile operator with several tricks up his sleeve.
Despite losing to Jermell Charlo – via a first-round finish, no less – back in 2017, the 29-year-old has since established himself as an elite contender and, until a few days ago, looked set to launch his second stab at world honours.
That opportunity would have arrived against Bakhram Murtazaliev, the largely avoided IBF champion, with whom Lubin, as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger, was in talks to face.
But instead, the talented southpaw has foregone his status with the IBF in pursuit of what seems a more lucrative, yet perhaps equally treacherous, encounter with Ortiz.
After twice climbing off the canvas, Ortiz claimed his WBC interim title with a majority decision victory against Serhii Bohachuk last August.
The explosive puncher then entered another bold assignment, this time against Israil Madrimov, in February, before emerging from their high-octane clash with a mightily impressive unanimous decision victory.
And while Lubin should be considered yet another solid opponent, Ortiz’s promoter, Golden Boy boss Oscar De La Hoya, has suggested that the American was not exactly their first choice.
“Vergil Ortiz Jr is the most ducked fighter in boxing — period,” De La Hoya said in a press release. “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. He has dared to enter Vergil’s den.”
As it happened, Ortiz was in talks to face Keith Thurman, a once formidable customer, only for the veteran to then secure himself a shot at WBC world champion Sebastian Fundora instead.
Jaron Ennis, meanwhile, will make his 154lb debut next month, and according to promoter Eddie Hearn, has already signed to face Ortiz early next year.
That, however, means very little in the volatile landscape of boxing, particularly when considering that Ortiz is yet to sign his side of the deal.
