“This Is My Time To End Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Erickson Lubin says he feels that this is his time, and he’s ready to defeat WBC interim junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. in 18 days on November 8th. Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) called out Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs). He’s shown no fear of him.

Third Time, Final Chance

Ortiz Jr.-Lubin will meet in the 12-round main event in a Golden Boy-promoted event on DAZN at the Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas. It’ll be Lubin’s third try at winning a world title after failing in stoppage losses to Sebastian Fundora and Jermell Charlo.

“I think he’s a great fighter, but I feel like right now is my time. I feel like I faced the toughest guys in the division, and I’m ready to prove myself,” said Erickson Lubin to Golden Boy Boxing, talking about his fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. on November 8th.”This is my third undefeated fighter in a row, and a top 10 contender.”

The two undefeated fighters that Erickson has beaten recently are Ardreal Holmes Jr. and Jesus Ramos Jr. They’re good, but not at the level of Ortiz Jr or any of the top guys, like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Sebastian Fundora. When Lubin was tested against Fundora, he was stopped in the ninth round on April 9, 2022. Erickson has done a good job coming back from that defeat, but he hasn’t fought any A-level or elite-level opposition. 

Ortiz Jr. Isn’t Backing Down

“It’s been really hard to get fights. I haven’t fought since February [Israil Madrimov], and we’ve been trying,” said Vergil Jr. I’m very glad we got one, especially someone calling me out. I don’t see it as a lack of disrespect. I see it as, ‘I think you’re a good fighter. Let’s get it on.’”

It’s understandable why the top contenders and their promoters have shown no interest in fighting Vergil Jr. He’d already shown how tough he is since moving up to 154 in January 2024, beating these four fighters:

• Israil Madrimov – UD 12
• Serhii Bohachuk – MD 12
• Thomas Dulorme – KO 1
• Fredrick Lawson – TKO 1

Ortiz Jr. should have given Serhii Bohachuk a rematch if he was desperate for a fight. He would have likely agreed immediately if he were offered a second opportunity to face Vergil Jr. again.

The fight that Vergil Jr. and his team wanted was against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, but it never happened. Fortunately for Ortiz, he’s only had to wait nine months since his last contest against Israil Madrimov on February 22 for him to battle Lubin on November 8th. That’s a lot better than sitting out of the ring for 13 months.