Vergil Ortiz Jr., the interim WBC junior middleweight champion, is reportedly close to agreeing to a fight with Erickson Lubin on November 8, Lance Pugmire told BoxingScene.

According to the journalist, Lubin decided not to face Bakhram Murtazaliev - 154-pound champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) - in order to accept the lucrative offer against Ortiz Jr.

“Eight days after Murtazaliev-Lubin received a purse bid deadline from the IBF to reach an agreement, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions presented a package that will pay Lubin more than double to fight Ortiz,” it was reported.

Instead, the Mexican-American was looking for a fight with Xander Zayas - World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion -, but due to disagreements in the negotiations, Golden Boy contacted Lubin again.

According to Pugmire, the duel will be announced by DAZN soon - which will also be in charge of broadcasting the fight - and “the possibility of hosting the Dickies Arena in Texas is being considered.”

In his last fight, Vergil Ortiz Jr. faced Israil Madrimov in a tough fight where he used his jab and defense to win a unanimous decision and retain his WBC 154-pound title. However, Erickson Lubin entered the ring on May 10, 2025, against Ardreal Holmes Jr. and defeated him by TKO in the 11th round.

Vergil Ortiz Jr., 27, defended his interim WBC championship and is willing to face whoever comes next. The Mexican-American boxer maintains his undefeated record after 23 fights, 21 of them by knockout in his professional career.

For his part, Erickson Lubin, 29, is one of the IBF's top contenders and could now be close to facing Ortiz Jr. The American fighter has a record of 27 wins, 18 by knockout, and two losses.