WBC junior middleweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. and #10 Erickson Lubin are likely for November 8th on DAZN at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) has chosen not to take on IBF 154-lb champion Bakhram Murtazaliev for his belt after the sanctioning body ordered the bout. It’s a financial decision. Instead of Erickson fighting for the IBF world title against the knockout artist Bakhram, he’s facing Vergil Ortiz Jr. for his interim WBC junior middleweight belt.

Lubin Chases Bigger Payday

According to Lance Pugmire, Lubin will receive twice the purse that he would have against the big-punching Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs). It’s not just a better deal financially for Lubin, but a lot safer fighting Vergil Jr. than going up against Murtazaliev. Fans view the Russian slugger as the boogeyman in the 154-lb division.

After what Bakhram did to Tim Tszyu last year in his third-round knockout on October 19th, it makes sense for Erickson to go in the direction of Ortiz Jr. Going up against Murtazaliev would have been a formidable task for Lubin.

Mike Coppinger confirms that Ortiz Jr. vs. Lubin is now likely for November 8th. We’re just waiting for DAZN to make the official announcement.

Last week, Vergil Jr. still hoped to fight WBO junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas next. He said on X, “Don’t run away now, you’ve had 3 days to agree and we haven’t heard a thing from your side!”

Zayas threw cold water on Ortiz Jr’s offer of a fight, replying on X, “Vergil Ortiz, this is not a real offer, stop lying to your fans. The answer is Yes!! Come meet me in Puerto Rico.” Xander also posted on Instagram that it shouldn’t be a 50-50 split because he’s now the WBO champion, holding the full belt. Ortiz Jr. is the interim WBC 154-lb champion. 

Lubin vs. Ortiz: A Step Down?

Going from potentially fighting Zayas to defending against Lubin is a big step down for Vergil Ortiz Jr, as the interest won’t be as high. The Florida native Lubin, 29, has already been stopped twice in losses to Sebastian Fundora in 2022 and Jermell Charlo in 2017.