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Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin Set for Nov. 8 in Fort Worth

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 9:05 PM ET

Junior middleweight clash is officially on the books. Vergil Ortiz Jr. will defend his WBC interim title against Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin on Nov. 8 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, live on DAZN, Golden Boy Promotions announced Thursday. Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs) had been in talks to face WBO champion Xander Zayas, but negotiations fell through. Meanwhile, Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) chose to bypass his mandatory title shot against IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in favor of a big ger payday and profile boost against Ortiz in his rival’s backyard.

Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya praised Lubin’s decision to take the fight, while aiming fire at other names in the division:

“Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the most ducked fighter in boxing period. 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 courage. He has dared to enter Vergil’s den.”

Texas, the Champ is ! On , Vergil Ortiz defends his WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title against top ranked contender Erickson Lubin in Fort Worth!#OrtizLubin | LIVE on DAZN | Nov. 8 pic.twitter.com/GgtlT8aKoT

— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) August 21, 2025

Ortiz Riding Momentum

The 27-year-old Ortiz, ranked No. 2 at junior middleweight by The Ring , is coming off a career-best performance in February, when he outpointed former titleholder Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision. That victory followed a brutal war against Serhii Bohachuk last summer in which Ortiz survived two knockdowns to win a majority decision.

Ortiz later underwent surgery on his right hand, but enters the Lubin fight healthy and eager to solidify his status as a future world champion at 154 pounds.

Lubin Chooses the Big Stage

Lubin, 29, is The Ring’s No. 7 junior middleweight and one of the division’s most experienced contenders. He secured IBF mandatory status with an 11th-round decision over Ardreal Holmes Jr. in May but opted to pursue the Ortiz bout.

Lubin is fresh off back-to-back wins, including a career-defining decision over rising star Jesus Ramos Jr. in 2023. Over the years, he has also defeated Jeison Rosario, Terrell Gausha, Ishe Smith, and Jorge Cota. His setbacks came in high-profile bouts, a first-round knockout to Jermell Charlo in 2017 and a ninth round stoppage loss to Sebastian Fundora in a 2022 Fight of the Year contender.

High Stakes in Fort Worth

The bout pits one of boxing’s most avoided punchers against a proven contender willing to take risks. Ortiz will look to keep his undefeated record intact in front of a hometown crowd, while Lubin aims to shock the division and punch his ticket to another world title shot.

With both fighters ranked inside the top 10, Nov. 8 in Fort Worth promises fireworks and could reshape the championship picture at junior middleweight.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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