Vergil Ortiz Jr. insists he’s not chasing soft touches - he’s chasing anyone willing to sign. The WBC interim 154lbs titleholder returns November 8 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on DAZN, where he’ll face IBF No. 1 contender Erickson Lubin. “People are trying to continue this narrative that I’m ducking, but when we send the contracts, they aren’t getting signed,” Ortiz said. “We really just want the best fights… whether people want to fight or not.”
Ortiz’s team went hard at the division: a Las Vegas DAZN PPV with new WBO titlist Xander Zayas never materialized; talks with Jaron “Boots” Ennis fizzled as Ennis chose Uisma Lima for October 11; and an IBF shot at Bakhram Murtazaliev collapsed over the 10-pound next-day rehydration cap - too risky, Ortiz says, for a “pretty big” junior middleweight. “Get that rule taken off and I’ll challenge Bakhram,” he offered.
Enter Lubin, who accepted what Ortiz says was more than double the money on the table for an IBF mandatory. A southpaw with pedigree - his only losses to Jermell Charlo and Sebastian Fundora - Lubin brings momentum from wins over Jesus Ramos and Ardreal Holmes. “I have immense respect for [Lubin],” Ortiz said. “He’s seasoned, experienced, slick… when I have adjustments that need to be made, I’ll make them.”
Back in the Metroplex, Ortiz leans on routine - Robert Garcia in the corner, phone off on fight week - to mute hometown distractions. The goal isn’t to look beatable to bait champions. It’s the opposite. “I just hope I can get in the ring with the best available,” Ortiz said. “Make the best boxing matches people can watch 50 years from now.” For all the belts that wouldn’t bite, Lubin did. And for Ortiz, that’s all the respect he needs.
Learn more about the upcoming Ortiz-Lubin fight.
Image Credit: The Ring