When asked about a possible matchup with Ortiz, the answer came from promoter Samson Lewkowicz, who dismissed the idea and questioned Ortiz’s immediate future in the division.
“Why should I talk about Ortiz right now, is that he probably won’t fight for a year or more, and he’s going to be stripped of the WBC for a while,” Lewkowicz said at the post-fight press conference.
Lewkowicz’s prediction that Ortiz “will be stripped very soon” refers to the WBC’s active stance on title defenses; since Ortiz can’t sign fight contracts due to a temporary restraining order, the legal body is unlikely to let the interim belt sit idle.
Lewkowicz went ahead, eliminating Ortiz Jr. in the current picture completely. “Ortiz is out of the game right now.”
The comments effectively put Vergil Jr. out of the running despite his interim title, potentially putting him as a top contender for Fundora’s WBC belt.
Fundora did not respond to his promoter’s status during the exchange, instead keeping his focus on work within the division without naming specific opponents.
By remaining silent during his promoter’s comments, Fundora appeared to agree with the strategy of prioritizing active competitors. This is a big change from his words last week, where he said he wants to face Ortiz in the vacant Ring Magazine title on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s “Mexico vs. The World” event scheduled for September 12, 2026.
The 154-pound division remains one of the most dynamic in the sport. With Ortiz on the sidelines, there are a few other options for Fundora:
Jaron “Boots” Ennis: The interim WBA champion recently announced that he is “moving on” from Ortiz and wants a big unification.
Xander Zayas: The rising star holds the WBA and WBO titles and is a major target for anyone looking for an undisputed title.
September Return: Fundora has made it clear that he intends to fight again in September, regardless of whether the opponent is Ortiz or another top contender.
At a press conference tonight, Fundora said he thinks a fight with 35-year-old Jermell Charlo will be a “great fight.” Jermell hasn’t fought in three years since 2023, making him the same type of Fundora opponent as Thurman.
By firing Vergil Ortiz Jr. while simultaneously showing positive interest in a fight with Jermell Charlo, Fundora appears to be establishing a pattern that prioritizes name recognition and “main event” status over immediate division threats.
The rejection of Ortiz, who, despite his legal handicaps, is 24-0 and in his prime, is in stark contrast to Charlo’s pursuit. By the time the potential date of September 2026 rolls around, Charlo will have been out of work for three full years.
The Keith Thurman fight comparisons are hard to dismiss. In that match, Fundora faced a 37-year-old former champion who was about to be laid off and was naturally a smaller man moving up in weight.
This move also keeps everything within the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) ecosystem. While Ortiz is currently in the midst of a lawsuit to leave Golden Boy, Charlo is still part of the PBC roster.
By focusing on Charlo, Fundora, and Lewkowicz they avoid the disappointment of the promotional headache of arena deals with Golden Boy or DAZN, even if it means fans have to wait longer for the team’s most dangerous competitors to get their shot.
