Ortiz Wins by TKO in Second Round as Lubin’s Ali Rope-A-Dope Attempt Unsuccessful
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Fort Worth, Texas (November 9th, 2025)– Vergil Ortiz Jr. retained the World Boxing Council Interim World Super Welterweight title with a second-round stoppage of Erickson Lubin on DAZN. Much like Gerald McClellan’s stoppage of Terry Norris in the same division years ago, several overhand rights around the rope-a-dope guard of Lubin left the apparently spent fighter, Lubin, unconscious on his feet on the ropes. Referee James Green immediately stopped the bout at 1:30 of the second round, in the main event at Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas.
Real Combat Media went undefeated in its predictions on the eight bout DAZN card, going 6-0 with two draws (no decision results off the predictions).
Ortiz, 23-0 with 22 knockouts, Grand Prairie, Texas, knocked out Lubin on his feet, as predicted by Real Combat Media. The only question was why Lubin, a terrible fighter when on the ropes, thought he could imitate Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope style as Ali did against George Foreman in ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ over half a century ago. Unlike Ali, Lubin was not countering back, and Lubin got hit with solid shots as Ortiz was not tired. Lubin, now 27-3 with 19 knockouts, Kissimmee, Florida, who had gotten knocked out in the first round of his first WBC world title bout against Jermall Charlo in 2017, and stopped by Sebastian Fundora in the ninth round of his second WBC world title bout in 2022, was unsuccessful for the third time to win the World Boxing Council Super Welterweight title.
Vergil Ortiz versus Boots Ennis, who was seated at ringside, pointing to his numerous diamond bracelets for the cameras, is rumored to be next.
In the preliminary to the main event, two fighters who both lost by decision to Bektemir Melikhuziev battled to a dull, lack of action stadium booing draw. Super middleweight Darius Fulghum, 14-1-1, 12 knockouts, Houston, Texas, predicted by Real Combat Media to win by 10 rounds majority or split decision over ‘Dynamite’ David Stevens, 15-2-1 with 10 knockouts, Reading, Pennsylvania, in a crossroads bout, settled for a 10-round majority draw. Scoring went 96-94 Fulghum, and 95-95, 95-95 draw.
As predicted by Real Combat Media, BoxRec top 10 ranked worldwide cruiserweight Robin Safar, 19-0 with 13 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada via Sweden, won by 10 rounds unanimous decision over Derick Miller Jr., 18-1 with 10 knockouts and one No-Contest, Monroe, Michigan, in a hard fought bout, perhaps winning a 2026 world title shot against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
As predicted by Real Combat Media, middleweight Amari Jones won. Jones, 15-0 with 13 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada, won by third-round technical knockout at 2:54 after dropping Shady Gamhour, now 14-3 with nine knockouts, Pensacola, Florida via Sweden.
Unbeaten middleweight prospect Eric Priest, 16-0-1 with eight knockouts, Overland Park, Kansas, drew with Venezuelan journeyman Esneiker Correa, 16-6-3 with 14 knockouts, Miami, Florida. Priest appeared to win the early rounds, then got on his bicycle for the last few rounds to enable the still active and competitive Correa to get back into the bout on two of the three judges’ scorecards. Scoring went 79-73 for Priest, 77-75 for Correa, and 76-76, a draw.
As predicted by Real Combat Media, 2024 United States heavyweight Olympian Joshua Edwards, 5-0 with five knockouts, Houston, Texas, won by stoppage in the third round over Zeno ‘The Hammer’ Vooris, now 5-1 with five knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada.
As predicted by Real Combat Media, welterweight prospect Samuel Torres, 4-0 with three knockouts, Gilroy, California, won by stoppage in the second round over 0-1 Robert Elizalde of Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1:55 of the second round after knocking him down. Elizalde’s corner then stopped it.
As predicted by Real Combat Media, super lightweight prospect Javier Mesa, 4-0 with two knockouts, Amarillo, Texas, won by six-round decision over Joshua Briones Garcia, 3-4-1 with two knockouts, Guadalajara, Mexico, via El Paso. The unanimous scoring for Mesa went 59-55, 58-56, and 58-56.
Robert Brizel’s Boxing Prediction Record: (6-0)
Loading ...Comment below on who will win between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron Ennis…
Follow Real Combat Media on Facebook
Support Real Combat Media Charity Foundation
Shop at Real Combat Media Fight Store
English
No Comments Yet