“Does Eriksson have a chance to create a sensation?”, — write: sport.ua
For the first time in his career, Ortiz has a streak without knockouts. Lubin is confident that he will knock out his opponent
Until the summer of 2024, Virgil Ortiz had a perfect record, knocking out everyone he faced. At the same time, the rivals there were serious. For example, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, who created a lot of problems even for Terence Crawford. Or Maurice Hooker – Ortiz simply interrupted him. Before the meeting with Virgil, Michael Makkinson had never lost at all, but the American knocked him out in the 9th round. In 2024, Ortiz met Serhiy Bogachuk. It looked risky especially for a Ukrainian.
Bogachuk convinced everyone that he sparred with Virgil and that’s why he wasn’t worried. He seems to know what to do and, even understanding the opponent’s level, he can still win. It was hard to believe, but in the ring everything happened almost perfectly. Ortiz could not surprise Bogachuk. He actively moved towards Serhiy, actively responded to offensive actions. I wanted to both press and retreat. However, in general, it was necessary to go all out in order to win. What’s more, Bogachuk also knocked down his opponent, and then did it again.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Virgil Ortiz – Erickson Lubin Victory was not given to Serhii. And the battle was close enough there to find something to give the American the upper hand. However, Bogachuk showed Ortiz’s weaknesses, which had not been seen in such numbers before. The next opponent for Virgil was Israel Madrimov. And here there was already a reverse story. It was expected that Madrimov would impose a fight on Ortiz.
The style of Israel became a problem for Terence Crawford, who spent 12 extremely difficult rounds with the representative of Uzbekistan, and it was after that that he, motivated, went to Ortiz. However, Virgil surprised. He prepared well not only physically, but also tactically. Prevented a mobile opponent from spending a lot of time shifting and finding his battle tempo. And in fact, he simply killed his opponent thanks to his activity and work in the attack. At the end of the fight, Madrimov had no strength left. He spent the rest of them exclusively on moving around the ring and trying to reach the final gong.
Now Ortiz’s opponent will be Lubin. He is sure of victory. Speaking about the fight, Erikson assures that he can knock out his opponent. And he can win by the judges’ decision. It is not important for him, but the victory will definitely be his.
Confidence is great! It’s even more important when you’re going up against an aggressive, pushy fighter like Virgil Ortiz. However, how is it reinforced here?
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Erickson Lubin Ortiz’s record is convincing. Even the last opponents are more than strong. And what’s up with Lyubin? Ardril Holmes Jr. was knocked out in the 11th round in the spring of 2025. Before that, Erikson did not box for a year. And in 2023, he defeated Luis Arias and Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr.
Yes, it is quite difficult to compare the opposition of the first and second opponents who will meet in the ring on November 8.
The last more famous name of Lubin was Sebastian Fundora. Then they boxed for the interim belt of the WBC in the first middleweight category. Fundora was knocked down in the 7th round. Erickson fell in the 2nd, and after the 9th, he could not continue the fight and was removed from it. If you search further, you can mention Terrell Gausha among Erickson’s opponents. He was defeated by decision of the judges in 2020. Ishe Smith was prematurely beaten – in 2019. And in 2017, Lubin met Jermell Charlo. He defeated Erickson early in the 1st round.
The resume is not the best. However, not the worst, of course. It just doesn’t look that convincing against the background of Virgil Ortiz. And so, this confidence is a little surprising. Although maybe stylistically everything looks better?
Who is the favorite?
Bookmakers are confident in the victory of the temporary champion. You can bet on the victory of Ortiz with a coefficient of 1.10. For the victory of Lubin – with a coefficient of 6.20. Stylistically, things are not looking bad for Erickson. It’s just difficult. The thing is that Lubin likes to retreat, to work towards his opponent. He is quite precise in his actions and quite tough. And Ortiz is not perfect defensively, so he might get the same shot that surprises everyone.
Are the chances of that high? Hardly.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Virgil Ortiz The fact is that it is very difficult to withstand the pace of Ortiz. He attacks from the first seconds, combines and presses a lot. In addition, it hits very hard. Here you need to either not stand in front, or have the strength to answer. And better – both.
Has anyone tested Lubin since the loss to Fundora enough to say with confidence that he can handle Virgil’s pace? Hardly. However, this does not mean that it will definitely not be able to cope. Perhaps this fight will be the opening match for everyone.
Ortiz can really lose. He misses, forgets himself in the attack, is too confident. However, does the current Lubin look like someone who can stop him? It doesn’t look like it.
Although Bogachuk was not similar. And passed on the edge of triumph.