Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Erickson Lubin
Kick Off Presser!
(September 23rd) Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin staged a respectful yet intense press conference at Texas Live in Arlington, Texas, previewing their November 8th, WBC Interim World Super Welterweight showdown at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Both fighters spoke confidently about their chances, highlighting the high stakes and mutual respect on display.
Vergil Ortiz Jr., undefeated and returning to fight in Texas, stressed his focus and motivation while complimenting Lubin’s pedigree: “I’m very motivated. I want to win. I want to win looking good… Just being in the ring with someone with the pedigree like Erickson Lubin, it motivates me to train harder, to actually want to come to the gym. I’ve been in some fights where I’m fighting someone and I’m like, ‘Let’s just get this thing over with.’ This fight, I look forward to the gym; I want to work hard; I want to do good in sparring. So that is the kind of fight this is.”
Ortiz made it clear he’s not overlooking Lubin, noting, “He’s a dangerous fighter, and I know he’s here to win. That’s what makes it a great fight.”
Erickson Lubin, entering his 12th year as a pro and facing his third undefeated fighter in a row, talked about his journey and dedication: “I fought for the world title in just my third year. I took no steps back. I fought top opposition after top opposition, and Vergil Ortiz is no different. He’s another top fighter. I’m looking to just become that dude at 154 lbs.”
Lubin also referenced the sacrifices made for his family: “I want to give a big shout out to my daughter. It’s her fourth birthday today… It's the sacrifices we got to make, being away from family, being away from their birthdays, just so I can give them a better way of living.”
Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions: “Every world champion at 154 pounds did not want to fight Vergil Ortiz. They came up with excuses… Lubin stepped up and said, ‘I’ll take on the beast of the division.’ He is here to win — that’s what makes him a great fighter.”
Departing from the usual hype-driven antics and showy confrontations, both fighters opted for respect at the press conference—and instead of trading barbs or bold predictions, they spoke of their hunger and preparation, promising fans an action-packed clash on November 8th in Texas.
Both co-main event fighters Floyd Schofield and Joseph Diaz Jr. both shared their thoughts.
Floyd Schofield, highly focused on proving doubters wrong, said: “I feel like everything rides on this fight. People are overlooking JoJo, they say he’s washed, so if I lose to a guy like that, I don’t know where I go from there. Everything rides on this fight: my ranking, my chance at the world title. I’ll definitely come in focused and give the fans a great show.”
Joseph Diaz Jr., recognized for his grit, expressed confidence, stating:
“JoJo is a warrior. We’ll see November 8.”
Tickets for the Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Erickson Lubin fight on November 8, 2025, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, are currently on sale. They can be purchased through Ticketmaster (click here) or StubHub (click here).
Undefeated knockout artist and WBC interim super welterweight world champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs), of Grand Prairie, Texas, is ready to set his hometown on fire when he headlines against fearless top contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs), of Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Lubin has dared to enter the lion’s den, stepping up to face one of boxing’s most dangerous punchers. Lubin enters the bout as the IBF’s No. 1-ranked fighter, while also sitting at No. 5 with the WBO, No. 10 with the WBC and in the top 10 of The Ring magazine. The 12-round world championship clash, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with ProBox, will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Fans in Fort Worth can expect an unforgettable night when Ortiz looks to deliver another show-stopping performance in front of his hometown crowd.
More information on tickets and the undercard will be announced very soon.
“I’m always happy to be a part of the fights that fans want to see,” said Vergil Ortiz. “See you guys November 8!”
“I want to thank Golden Boy, PBC and ProBox for making this happen,” said Erickson Lubin. “I think the fans are in for a treat. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, this fight is about redemption, I’m back for everything.”
“Vergil Ortiz Jr. is the most ducked fighter in boxing — period,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “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. On Nov. 8 at Dickies Arena, fans are going to see why everyone else keeps running from Vergil Ortiz Jr.”
“Since Fundora, Lubin fought Arias, who he dominated and stopped; the undefeated Ramos, highly touted and yet couldn’t do anything with Lubin; and the undefeated Holmes looked like a scared puppy,” said Gary Jonas. “Don’t be surprised, the Hammer is going to beat Ortiz.”
The undefeated knockout monster and current WBC Interim Super Welterweight World Champion, Vergil Ortiz Jr., is one of the most dangerous fighters of this generation. His love for boxing began at five years old when he was introduced to the sport by his father. As a decorated amateur, he is a seven-time national champion and winner of the 2013 Junior Olympics with an impressive record of 140-20. Ortiz signed with Golden Boy in 2016 and made his professional debut on July 30 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino with a first-round knockout of Julio Rodas. Since then, he has built an enviable fighter resume that reflects over 90-percent knockouts, and has made some of the world’s toughest contenders fold to his tremendous power including Brad “King” Solomon, Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker, Egidijus "Mean Machine" Kavaliauskas and Michael McKinson, to name a few. In August 2024, Ortiz Jr. secured the WBC Interim super welterweight title in a bout that is lauded as a candidate for Fight of the Year, where he went toe-to-toe with the also formerly undefeated Serhii Bohachuk in Las Vegas. He was most recently seen defending his title in dominant fashion against the elite and former WBA super welterweight champion, Israil Madrimov, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With this masterclass victory over Madrimov, Ortiz Jr. further cements his place in the super welterweight division, and proves why the boxing world considers him an ‘old-school’ type of fighter. True to his ‘old-school’ mentality, Ortiz trains under the guidance of acclaimed coach Robert Garcia, surrounded by elite fighters at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. The high-level environment keeps him sharp, focused and constantly evolving. With his work ethic, Ortiz stays ready to take on any challenge, anytime, anywhere - driven by a passion to give fight fans the great fights they deserve.
Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin has established himself as one of the premier contenders in boxing’s deep and talented junior-middleweight division. Born October 1, 1995, in Orlando, to Haitian parents, Lubin’s journey into boxing began at a young age, quickly standing out as one of the brightest amateur prospects in the country. He compiled an impressive 143–7 amateur record and captured the 2013 National Golden Gloves championship before deciding to turn professional at just 18 years old, bypassing the Olympic path to begin his climb toward world titles. A heavy-handed southpaw with explosive finishing ability, Lubin stormed onto the professional scene with 17 straight victories, 12 of them by knockout, showcasing a rare blend of power, speed, and technical skill. His rapid ascent earned him a shot at the WBC world title against then-champion Jermell Charlo in 2017. Though that night ended in disappointment with a first-round knockout loss, Lubin refused to be defined by the setback. Instead, he rebuilt his career with resilience and determination, proving he remained one of the most dangerous contenders in the division.Lubin returned to prominence with statement wins over top names including Nathaniel Gallimore, former world champion Jeison Rosario, and former title challenger Terrell Gausha. His ability to adapt and improve fight after fight was further evident in 2022, when he faced towering contender Sebastian Fundora in an unforgettable war. Both fighters touched the canvas in a bout that was later hailed as a Fight of the Year candidate, cementing Lubin’s reputation as both a fearless competitor and a crowd-pleasing warrior. In September 2023, Lubin solidified his standing in the division by handing previously undefeated Jesus Ramos Jr. his first professional loss in Las Vegas. Most recently, in May 2025, Lubin scored a dramatic 11th-round TKO over Ardreal Holmes Jr. in an IBF title eliminator, a victory that officially secured his place as the IBF’s mandatory challenger. Currently ranked #1 by the IBF, #3 by the WBC, and a top-five contender with the WBO, Lubin is once again knocking on the door of a world championship opportunity. With 19 of his 27 wins coming by knockout, he remains a threat to end any fight in an instant. Now entering the prime of his career, Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin continues to prove why he is regarded as one of the most talented and exciting fighters in the sport today.
Ortiz Jr vs. Lubin is a 12-round fight for the WBC Interim Super Welterweight World Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight will take place on Saturday, November 8 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.
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