Vergil Ortiz Jr. will defend his WBC interim junior middleweight title against Erickson Lubin on November 8 at the Dickies Center in Fort Worth, Texas, live worldwide on DAZN. It’s a hometown return for Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs), who’s coming off an impressive points win over Israil Madrimov in February and says he’s “always happy to be a part of the fights that fans want to see.”
This wasn’t the first choice on paper. Ortiz had pushed for a unification shot at WBO titleholder Xander Zayas, but talks fizzled before last week’s deadline. Rumors of a 2026 clash with Jaron “Boots” Ennis were also shot down by Ortiz’s camp. Manager Rick Mirigian framed Lubin as the rare elite who said yes: “Golden Boy tried every major opponent and no one would fight Vergil… credit to Lubin for doing what no one else would.”
Watch top 10 KOs of Ortiz Jr.: Watch
For Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs), it’s a high-stakes road trip and a shot at redemption. The 29-year-old IBF No. 1 contender has reeled off three straight wins since his 2022 thriller with Sebastian Fundora, including victories over Jeison Rosario and Jesus Ramos. “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for,” Lubin said. “This fight is about redemption; I’m back for everything.”
Watch Ramos vs. Lubin highlights: Watch
Stylistically, expect speed and pressure from Ortiz against Lubin’s sharp southpaw counters and body work. With the WBC interim strap on the line and both men angling for full championship status at 154, the winner leaves Fort Worth with leverage - and the inside track to the year’s biggest fights in a loaded division.
Fight card:
▪️Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin, 12 rounds, for Ortiz’s interim WBC super welterweight title
▪️Floyd Schofield vs. Joseph Diaz Jr., 10 rounds, lightweight
▪️Darius Fulghum vs. David Stevens, 10 rounds, super middleweight
▪️Joshua Edwards vs. Zeno Vooris, 6 rounds, heavyweight
