Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin: Who has the edge heading into their fight?

Vergil Ortiz Jr. could set himself up this weekend for a stellar 2026.

To do that, the WBC interim super welterweight world champion will have to get past a rugged Erickson Lubin at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and live on DAZN, on Saturday night.

After starting his professional career with 21 knockouts in as many fights, the 27-year-old Ortiz (23-0, 21 KOs) had a tougher time disposing of Serhii Bohachuk via majority decision in August 2024, before defeating Israil Madrimov by unanimous decision this past February. He will be up against Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) who bounced back from being stopped by Sebastian Fundora in April 2022 by rattling off three straight wins including his 11th-round TKO of Ardreal Holmes Jr in May.

Will Ortiz get back to stopping opponents with a dazzling performance in his home state of Texas? Or will a very capable Lubin seize the moment as the underdog and pave his own enticing New Year ahead?

With the stakes high for this showdown, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge between Ortiz and Lubin heading into their bout.

Boxing Styles

Vergil Ortiz Jr. digs to the body with punishing rib shots, softening opponents up as he brings constant pressure.

He is strong, durable and willing enough to also go gloves up when needed and walk opponents down, even if it means eating shots along the way to landing some of his own. Along those lines, Ortiz absorbs and fights off contact in the phone booth extremely effectively.

That grit was on display against Serhii Bohachuk last summer as Ortiz used the strategy to overcome the first two knockdowns of his career toward a fire fight of a majority decision in which he fully showed his mettle.

Erickson Lubin could possibly bait Ortiz in, as the former has improved upon fighting while backpedaling, using his footwork to create spacing and angles.

While the strategy has worked more often than not, it can also backfire as forward-fighting opponents can cause him to wilt in the pressure cooker.

Ortiz will certainly try to force cramped quarters often in this matchup.

Edge: Ortiz

Power

Prior to his bout against Bohachuk, Ortiz counted all 21 of his victories by knockout. It is only in his last two fights — against former interim titleholder Bohachuk and former world champion Madrimov — that ‘The Texas Machine’ has gone the distance.

Lubin possesses pop to his punch, too, having dropped Fundora in their fire fight more than three years ago, living up to his ring moniker of ‘The Hammer.’

But Ortiz’ power generates from the body up in a more pounding and menacing manner as he has the advantage here.

Edge: Ortiz

Mental Warfare

Throughout this bout’s buildup and even during this fight week, Ortiz has fielded chatter about a possible mega showdown between he and fellow 154-pound interim champ Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for 2026.

Now, that does not mean that he is overlooking Lubin, though the pressure will be on Ortiz to deliver fireworks in having his hand raised in victory in his home state of Texas, and live on DAZN.

While ‘The Texas Machine’ can reverse that pressure once the bell tolls, Lubin does not shoulder as heavy a load entering this bout. He is the underdog on enemy soil and can use the ring savvy he has accrued to the best of his ability. He has already shared the ring with former undisputed 154-pound king Jermell Charlo and current WBC titleholder Fundora, having been stopped each time.

The urgency will be there for Lubin but so will the experience and savvy that derived from those defeats.

The slightest edge here goes to the challenger.

Edge: Lubin

Who has the edge in Ortiz vs. Lubin?

If this is indeed Ortiz' time, he must show it without any signs of a letdown against Lubin. 'The Hammer' fought former undisputed 154-pound ruler Charlo and current WBC titleholder Fundora and was stopped each time, so the exigency will be there for Lubin, 30, to deliver his best.

If Ortiz can take Lubin's best and dismantle that package of boxing skills, he will mash the dash for a huge 2026.

DAZN News  has Ortiz with a 2-1 edge to do just that.

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

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