Erickson Lubin to Move Up: 'Next Time at Middleweight'

Career crossroads

• Record: 27–3 (19 KOs)

• Notable setbacks: Jermell Charlo (KO 1, 2017), Sebastian Fundora (corner stoppage after 9, 2022), Vergil Ortiz Jr. (KO 2, 2025)

• Run of form: After Charlo, Lubin ripped six straight wins; after Fundora, he reeled off three more before meeting Ortiz.

• Ranking context: Entered the weekend as The Ring’s No. 5 junior middleweight.

For 12 years, Lubin has lived on the knife’s edge at 154—good enough to beat most, just shy against the elite. The Ortiz defeat was his third stoppage loss, a jarring reminder of the toll taken by years spent in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.

At 30, the move signals a reset: more natural weight, potentially better durability, and fresh matchups. Lubin hinted that “bad habits” contributed to Saturday’s outcome without specifying what they were an admission that pairs accountability with a plan to course-correct at a new weight.

Lubin’s southpaw power, jab, and combination punching translate well if he carries speed upstairs. The learning curve will be real new timing, larger frames, and different styles—but his experience against top opposition at 154 could accelerate his acclimation at 160.

Questions to watch:

1. Chin and recovery at 160: Does the added weight improve resilience after three stoppage defeats?

2. First opponent: Expect a measured but credible introduction—someone that tests him without extinguishing momentum.

3. Pathway: One to two fights to settle in, then a push toward a title eliminator if performances convince.

“Live by the sword, die by the sword,” Lubin posted, tipping his cap to Ortiz before pivoting to reinvention. For a fighter once hailed as one of boxing’s brightest prospects, the next phase is about substance over hype—quiet fixes, smart matchmaking, and proving that 160 is where “The Hammer” hits his true groove.