Vergil Ortiz Jr closed in on a mouthwatering showdown with Jaron Ennis after destroying Erickson Lubin in two rounds in Texas on Saturday.
With Lubin (27-3, 19 KOs) pinned up against the ropes, Ortiz Jr (24-0, 22 KOs) unloaded with a series of combinations and with ‘The Hammer’ stunned, the referee waved the fight off.
Ortiz Jr retained his WBC interim super welterweight title and immediately called for a clash with Ennis, who watched on from ringside at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
‘Boots’ had called out Ortiz Jr following his one round blowout of Uisma Lima last month to win the WBA interim super welterweight crown and the pair faced off in the ring and exchanged words, to build anticipation for one of the most sought-after bouts in the sport.
“Boots come over here,” the 27-year-old said.
“I think this is the fight that has to happen.
“I think this is it.”
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Ennis replied: “It’s the best fight in boxing.
“He did a great job, he looked good.
“But I’m going to show the world why I’m the best in the world.”
Ortiz Jr, fighting for the first time since a unanimous decision win over Israil Madrimov in February, marched towards Lubin in the opener, connecting with combinations to head and body.
Lubin, a former WBC world title challenger and coming into the bout on a run of three consecutive victories, had some success himself in the first round, boxing off the back foot and landing predominately with his jab.
However, the 30-year-old’s resistance was over a round later, following a barrage of punches from the home favourite.
Should a battle with Ennis fail to materialise, Ortiz Jr is in line for a shot at WBC champion, Sebastian Fundora, who was forced out of a scheduled defence of his title against Keith Thurman last month through injury.
Fulghum-Stevens held to draw
Darius Fulghum and David Stevens were held to a majority draw in a forgettable super middleweight contest.
Fulghum (14-1-1, 12 KOs) was looking to bounce back after defeat to Bektemir Melikuziev in May, but his clash with Stevens (15-2-1, 10 KOs) never really ignited.
A 96-94 scorecard in favour of Fulghum was cancelled out by two scores of 95-95, declaring the fight a stalemate.
Jones blasts out Gamhour
Amari Jones blew away Shady Gamhour with a brutal third round stoppage at middleweight.
Jones (15-0, 12 KOs) put Gamhour down with a hard right hand and despite rising to his feet, the outmatched Swede was too brave for his own good, exchanging with Jones in the pocket, who caught him with another devastating right hand, forcing the referee to step in.
BAY AREAAA STAND UP!!! 🤩
Amari Jones STOPS Shady Gamhour in the 3rd round!#OrtizLubin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/3rhLUd8CDm
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 9, 2025
Edwards TKO’s Vooris
American heavyweight prospect, Joshua Edwards went beyond the second round for the first time in his professional career, scoring a third round TKO over Zeno Vooris.
Vooris (5-2, 5 KOs) suffered a cut following a clash of heads and with Edwards (5-0, 5 KOs) in full control, Vooris’ corner opted to pull him out in the third round.
Edwards, a 2024 US Olympian, secured his fifth straight professional win by stoppage.
Safar sees off Miller
Robin Safar extended his unbeaten streak, but had to settle for a unanimous decision win over Derick Miller Jr in their cruiserweight clash.
Safar (19-0, 13 KOs) appeared to have Miller (18-1, 10 KOs) hurt on several occasions, but the American showed heart and durability to take the Swede to the distance.
Safar secured the WBA Continental Americas champion with two scores of 99-90 and another at 98-91.
Derick Miller Jr had no time to rest as Robin Safar snuck up on him 🤣#OrtizLubin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/E72tYa8g8G
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 9, 2025
Remaining Undercard
Eric Priest suffered the first blemish on his record, held to a split decision draw with Esneiker Correa in their middleweight encounter.
A 79-73 scorecard in favour of Priest (16-0-1, 8 KOs) and a 77-75 scorecard for Correa (16-6-3, 14 KOs) was cancelled out after a third judge ruled it 76-76.
Javier Meza (5-0, 2 KOs) made it five straight professional wins, with the Texan super lightweight taking a unanimous decision victory over Joshua Briones Garcia (3-5-1, 2 KOs).
Welterweight Samuel Torres (4-0, 3 KOs) was a second round winner over Ricardo Eliadale (0-2), whose corner stopped the bout.
