Vergil Ortiz Jr. Stops Erickson Lubin in Second Round, Sets Up Clash with Boots Ennis

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Vergil Ortiz Jr. made quick work of Erickson Lubin on Saturday night, scoring a second-round technical knockout to retain his WBC interim super welterweight title and remain undefeated before a raucous crowd at Dickies Arena.

Ortiz (24-0, 22 KOs) wasted no time asserting control, walking Lubin down with sharp jabs and heavy combinations before cornering him against the ropes midway through the second round. A flurry of unanswered punches forced the referee to stop the bout at 1:30 of Round 2, giving Ortiz his 12th straight knockout victory inside three rounds.

Lubin (27-3, 20 KOs) managed just three landed punches in the fight, according to CompuBox. Ortiz connected on 25 of 41 punches, showcasing the same relentless pressure and precision that have defined his rise through the 154-pound division.

After the stoppage, Ortiz called unbeaten IBF champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis into the ring for a heated faceoff that stole the post-fight spotlight.

“This is the fight that has to happen,” Ortiz said.

Ennis responded:

“This is the best fight in boxing … I’m going to show the world why I’m the best.”

The emphatic win reaffirmed Ortiz’s position as one of boxing’s brightest young stars. Fighting in his home state of Texas, he remained undefeated and further fueled anticipation for a potential 2026 showdown with Ennis — a bout many already consider one of the most compelling matchups in boxing.