May not be the fight many were calling for, but this is still a pretty good fight. It was important for Ortiz to get in another fight this year. He lost a lot of time due to rhabdo, and while beating Lubin may not get him any closer to a title, it keeps his name in the minds of boxing fans. Lubin has his own point to prove. He's no slouch and is a good 154 lber, top 10 according to most. Lubin as a boxer puncher, has a style that may give Ortiz some issues. This is no gimme.
People are OK with Murtazaliev fighting Lubin, but people are not OK with Ortiz fighting Lubin.
Lubin is the NUMBER one Contendor for the IBF, so he is formidable who ever faces him.
Ortiz already offer to fight Murtazaliev without the IBF Rehydration Clause.
Fundora is fighting NO TIME Thurman, who has NO legit Victories at 154. Has had long layoff and Injuries.
Murtazaliev best win is Tim Tszyu coming off a lost and also got dismantled by Fundora. Fundura was already wreck by Mendoza.
“Vergil Ortiz Jnr is the most ducked fighter in boxing – period,” Says ODLH. Ducked by whom, when Zayas wanted to fight him he picked another fighter albeit for more money. Let's not forget that Ortiz was on the shelf for a while for health issues, that slowed down his progress but I don't see anyone ducking him. If anything they are side stepping Bakhram who has a title and is looking for a dance partner.
“Vergil Ortiz Jnr is the most ducked fighter in boxing – period,” Says ODLH. Ducked by whom, when Zayas wanted to fight him he picked another fighter albeit for more money. Let's not forget that Ortiz was on the shelf for a while for health issues, that slowed down his progress but I don't see anyone ducking him. If anything they are side stepping Bakhram who has a title and is looking for a dance partner.
I'm assuming that Ortiz doesn't want to deal with the IBF's second weigh-in.
Looks like Murtazaliev is back to negotiating with Josh Kelly.
A real pity because on paper it looks to be a great matchup. Ortiz is already talking about winning a title at MW.
Murtazaliev started negotiating with Kelly, then IBF mandated he fight Lubin, then Lubin said "Peace Out!" and now BM is back to negotiating with Kelly. It's ridiculous how Ortiz (WBC) and Lubin (IBF) are fighting each other instead of going after champions Fundora (WBC) and Murtazaliev (IBF).
I've been wondering why GBP is letting Fundora off the hook. Are they doubting Orti's chances vs. the 6'6 bean pole? They're probably hoping Thurman causes an upset because he's the easier match-up. Now that GBP lost Garcia, they seem to be moving even more carefully. Zepeda was soundly defeated by Shakur, so now they might be putting all of their hopes in Ortiz.
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