Unbeaten WBC interim super welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. is growing impatient with the lack of title opportunities at 154 pounds and says a move to middleweight is “inevitable.” The 23-0 knockout artist is set to face former title challenger Erickson Lubin on November 8 in Fort Worth, Texas, live on DAZN, as he continues to chase the major fights that have so far escaped him.
Ortiz’s trainer, Robert Garcia, shared the frustration of watching his fighter dominate the division without a shot at the full title. “It’s difficult knowing that the belts are there, that you’re the best 154-pounder and no one’s giving you an opportunity,” Garcia said. Still Ortiz remains optimistic, insisting he will keep pushing for the toughest fights available. “I’m just not getting my shot, or they just don’t want to fight,” he said. “We’ve just got to force it one way or another.”
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The most natural target for Ortiz is WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, who defends against Keith Thurman on October 25. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that the sanctioning body will review its mandatories in December, potentially paving the way for Ortiz and Fundora to meet early next year if both win their next bouts.
Ortiz was previously linked to IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and WBO titleholder Xander Zayas, but negotiations broke down over weight and promotional differences. For now, Lubin - a proven veteran with losses only to Jermell Charlo and Fundora, represents the next best step. “He’s a live dog backed into a corner,” Ortiz said. “We need to watch out for everything. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.”
Despite the uncertainty at 154, Ortiz has embraced the challenge and hinted that bigger goals lie ahead. “A move to middleweight is going to happen - it’s inevitable,” he admitted, even entertaining the idea of a future clash with Terence Crawford should the pound-for-pound star pursue a sixth world title. Until then, Ortiz remains confident that fans recognize his elite standing. “Belt or no belt, people know what’s going on,” he said.
Image Credit: The Ring