Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Vergil Ortiz Jr. faces another tough test tonight when he clashes with Erickson Lubin at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and live on DAZN.

In his last ring appearance, the undefeated 27-year-old Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs) beat Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision in February. It marked his second straight points win as his first 21 professional fights ended via knockout victories.

He will be up against a rugged Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) who has won three consecutive bouts including his 11^th-round TKO of Ardreal Holmes Jr. in May.

Will Ortiz get back to his knockout fireworks, delivering an emphatic victory to close out his 2025 and pave the way for a stellar New Year? Or will Lubin produce his finest performance yet for the grand upset?

With the stakes reaching a fever pitch, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both the WBC interim super welterweight titleholder Ortiz and his challenger Lubin.

Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s Keys to Victory

Dig to the body with rib shots

The way Vergil Ortiz Jr. targets the body is a sight to behold as his crunching rib shots tend to always manage to find their marks with full leverage and impact.

He should look to make early deposits with these punishing shots as they’ll go long ways to softening Erickson Lubin up so something more devastating could land upstairs.

Absorb inside contact, fight off it

Another effective part of Ortiz’ fight game is his ability to force inside phone booth action, absorb contact and fight off of it.

Ortiz regularly goes forehead to forehead or shoulder to shoulder with opponents, working off that contact to unleash hooks and body shots.

The more he could do this against Lubin, the quicker he might dispose of the challenger.

Pressure, walk Lubin down

If Lubin’s footwork and spacing begin to frustrate Ortiz, ‘The Texas Machine’ should go two gloves up in a high guard and try to walk Lubin down.

Doing this will grant him the inside access to unload heavy-handed punches that could wilt Lubin toward another big Ortiz victory.

Erickson Lubin’s Keys to Victory

Utilize footwork to create spacing

Erickson Lubin uses his feet well to create spacing and this is a must against a forward-fighting Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Lubin’s ability to do this effectively could bank him points and the rounds that come with them.

Bait Ortiz in, potshot him

To bait Ortiz inside should not be a problem for Lubin as the WBC interim super welterweight titleholder naturally walks opponents down.

That and Lubin is comfortable fighting off the backpedal.

It is up to Lubin’s ring savvy to sense and use these moments to tag Ortiz with potshots, making him pay a steep price for his aggression.

Be mindful of a fire fight

Lubin will engage in a fire fight when he deems necessary, but this could end disastrously for the challenger as it did against Sebastian Fundora who stopped him after their fiery exchanges in their April 2022 fight.

Ortiz possesses way too much power to enter his danger zone with trades.

If Lubin is forced to fight fire with fire, he must make these exchanges very brief or his quest for the upset will fall short.

Watch Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin live on DAZN

Ortiz Jr. and Lubin clash in Texas this Saturday, November 8, watch it live with a DAZN subscription. Monthly and annual options available

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.