Oscar De La Hoya: “Nobody wants to fight Vergil Ortiz”
Plus, wins for Oscar Collazo and Gabriela Fundora in California
Golden Boy Promotions’ head honcho, Oscar De La Hoya, is busy preparing the jewel in his promotional crown, Vergil Ortiz Jr, for a November 8 clash with Erickson Lubin. Ortiz Jr puts his WBC Interim super-welterweight title on the line in Texas against a dangerous world-level campaigner, building back to the kind of level he belongs.
“I think this is a terrific fight. Erickson Lubin doesn't turn down anybody; he's proven that during his career,” buzzed De La Hoya, speaking to DAZN during last night’s Oscar Collazo bout.
The key West Coast promoter believes this is a perfect matchup for Ortiz for one main reason: nobody else wants to fight him.
“Everybody at 154, including [Jaron] Boots [Ennis], didn't want to fight him. I know Boots has a fight coming up and there's a possible matchup in the near future with Boots and Vergil, but Vergil wants to fight the top guys.
“Lubin is a dangerous fighter and anybody who knows boxing knows that Lubin is a dangerous fighter. I feel that Vergil at 154, nobody beats him.”
Refusing to look past Lubin, who is a quality southpaw boxer-puncher, last seen dismissing Ardreal Holmes on Pro Box, Ortiz has a fight already signed and sealed, according to Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn. While the UK mouthpiece reckons his man has signed to face Ortiz, Oscar isn’t sure exactly what the Philadelphian has put pen to paper on.
“That's wonderful that Eddie Hearn says that he signed. I don't know what he signed!” chuckled the former multi-weight world champion.
“But if Vergil wins against Lubin and there's a fight to be made with Boots, then that's what we're going to go after because Boots is a tremendous fighter. It would be a huge fight.
“It would be a massive fight, like Eddie Hearn says, right? Massive fight, but I strongly feel that Vergil Ortiz versus Boots is a super fight down the line, but Lubin is right there in front of Vergil.
“It has to be a perfect fight for Vergil. Vergil's strong, he's smart, he's relentless, he's probably the most relentless finisher in boxing today. Once he has you hurt, he will finish you and that's why people love Vergil.”
You can support Steve’s Boxing updates by:
❤️ Liking the post (a free shot that makes you feel good).
🗣️ Leave a comment to get things off your chest. Agree with Steve? Think he’s talking nonsense as usual? Let me know.
🥊 Subscribe! It’s all free. Get everything I write or say directly to your inbox.
☕ Buy me a coffee. If you’ve got a spare couple of shillings 👇👇👇
Floyd Schofield and JoJo Diaz confirmed for co-main slot
Joining Ortiz Jr and Lubin in Fort Worth will be another Texas tornado, Floyd ‘Kid Austin’ Schofield, who meets Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz, who has made himself into a competitive world-class gatekeeper. Oscar is excited by what this fight will produce.
“I am pleasantly surprised that Jojo Diaz had a tremendous performance with Regis Prograis and Prograis is a tremendous fighter, ex-world champion. JoJo came out and fought with his heart, with passion. That's the JoJo that I like seeing against Kid Austin,” explained De La Hoya.
“It's going to be a great fight. It's going to be a tough challenge for Kid. If Kid does what he does best, and that's go out there the way he did against Tevin Farmer, we have a superstar in our hands, but JoJo is no easy task.
Oscar cut a little promo call-out on behalf of Diaz, ensuring Schofield is sufficiently focused and motivated for the test.
“Kid Austin, prepare yourself, get ready because JoJo's coming after you. Be ready, but I'm telling you one thing right now, we have a superstar in Kid Austin. I watched some highlights there of JoJo Diaz versus Regis Prograis fight. Phenomenal performance, win or lose by JoJo Diaz.”
Oscar Collazo wins in strange fashion while Fundora too tall for Kubicki
Life wasn’t as plain sailing for Oscar Collazo as the record books will suggest at the Fantasy Springs Casino. A seventh-round knockout of Jayson Vayson enabled Collazo to retain his WBO and WBA minimumweight/strawweight titles, but the ending was a little contentious.
Filipino Vayson was dropped in round one before battling back to briefly hurt Collazo to the body. When the challenger’s corner instructed referee Thomas Taylor to end it midway through round seven, their decision appeared untimely to say the least. Collazo felt the end was near, and Vayson had no complaints either. So, what can you say?
Also on that card, female star Gabriela Fundora beat up replacement opponent Alexas Kubicki in seven brutal sessions. ‘Sweet Poison’ Fundora is the reigning undisputed flyweight queen. Despite her sizeable dimensions, talk of a move down to light-flyweight persists. Her heavy-handed aggression makes for must-watch TV.
Image Credits: DAZN, Golden Boy Promotional.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com