Vergil Ortiz Jr didn’t give Erickson Lubin much chance to pull an upset, scoring a second round TKO victory tonight in Texas, and likely setting up a big fight in 2026 with Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
Ortiz (24-0,
22 KO) retained his interim WBC super welterweight title with the stoppage win, which officially came at 1:30 of round two. The 27-year-old Ortiz had Lubin (27-3, 19 KO) stuck against the ropes, and calmly, methodically picked his shots, landing blows that had the 30-year-old southpaw out on his feet.
Referee James Green deserves real credit for how quickly he got in to stop the fight, too. Referees can sometimes let a situation like that go too long, because Lubin still had his hands up as if he were defending, but the switch had been flipped off at the moment. Green saw that, jumped in, and saved Lubin from something worse happening. It was a terrific job by the third man in the ring.
It was also a statement performance from Ortiz, and sets up a mouth-watering clash for next year.
“We’re ready for the best. We want to fight the best. Boots, come over here,” Ortiz said in his post-fight interview, drawing oohs and aahs from the audience.
The two respectfully shook hands, with Ortiz saying, “I think this is the fight that has to happen. I think this is it.”
“This is the best fight in boxing,” Ennis said. “I think he did a great job. He looked good. But I’m gonna show the world why I’m the best in the world, and I’m gonna show his team. They’ve been talking crazy, and I’m gonna back it up.”
The cordial tone ended there, with the two going back-and-forth, arguing about who started whatever beef there is between them.
“Your manager’s talking all crazy, Oscar’s talking all crazy, it’s the time, and I’m gonna make you pay,” Ennis said.
“No one over here’s gonna pay,” Ortiz replied.
Ennis did again say that Ortiz is a great fighter, and said his promoter Eddie Hearn has papers ready.
