Ortiz Jr. and Ennis are rumoured to be on track for a mega fight in 2026, but the former must overcome a tricky obstacle this weekend first.

The undefeated Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 21 KOs) puts his WBC interim super welterweight title on the line against Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and live on DAZN, on Saturday night.

It is thought Ennis and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, will be ringside in Texas but De La Hoya is concerned that they won’t want a piece of Ortiz Jr. after they see him up close.

De La Hoya said: “People are talking about the next fight possibly being against ‘Boots’ Ennis if Vergil wins.

“I hear ‘Boots’ is coming to the fight with Eddie Hearn and my worry is if they are going to see Vergil in person, they’re not going to want to fight him.

“So, maybe you should just stay home and watch it at home, because Vergil Ortiz Jr. in person is a dangerous man”

Golden Boy Promotions

De La Hoya was quick to point out that Lubin is no pushover and that Ortiz Jr. has plenty on his plate.

“The one thing I love and respect about Lubin is that he doesn’t care,” he continued.

“He’s out here and he’s ready. He has fought the best and has fought for world titles.

“He doesn’t care that he’s fighting Vergil in Texas, he’s out to take care of business and do his job.

“That’s why he is a dangerous man – probably even more dangerous than ‘Boots’ Ennis. So, that’s why Vergil is focussed on the job at hand, and that is Lubin.”

Ortiz Jr. echoed those sentiments and made it clear his full attention is on taking care of Lubin this weekend - not looking ahead to a bout with Ennis.

“This is a dangerous fight, for sure,” said Ortiz Jr.

“I don’t care if people overlook him or overlook me – at the end of the day, it’s just me and him in the ring and that’s really all that matters.

“He probably has the best resume at 154lb right now and he is also one of the highest ranked opponents. That’s why I am here – I want to fight the best.

“Lubin has been calling for this fight for a while and I thought ‘why not’? There is going to be fireworks on Saturday.”

Lubin may be the underdog but he isn’t short on confidence and doesn't appear too concerned about the talk of Ortiz Jr. and Ennis.

He explained: “I know a lot of people want to see the ‘Boots’ Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. fight but, in my opinion, that fight should have happened at 147lb.

“There are a lot of players at 154lb and I think that fight is long gone – they’re past each other.

“They’ve been trying to hype that fight as much as they can but there are much better fights to make at 154lb.

“The Ring Magazine have got Vergil Ortiz Jr. at number 1 (in the division) right now and a big win over him will put me in that position as the number 1 guy.

“This is a big fight – it’s in Vergil Ortiz Jr’s back yard but I don’t care if it is in literally his back yard because that’s just the type of fighter I am.

“Whether people want to say it or not, I am the best fighter at 154lb”

Watch Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Erickson Lubin live on DAZN

Ortiz Jr. and Lubin clash in Texas this Saturday, November 8, watch it live with a DAZN subscription. Monthly and annual options available.

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