Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Keith Thurman - October 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ortiz vs Thurman, Barboza vs Martin reportedly planned for October

Golden Boy and PBC might have a doubleheader in the works for this coming fall

The historically reliable Julius Julianis brings word that Golden Boy and PBC are “finalizing” an October show that would see Vergil Ortiz Jr face Keith Thurman and Arnold Barboza Jr take on Frank Martin.

Ortiz (23-0, 21 KO) claimed the interim WBC super welterweight title in his August 2024 war with Serhii Bohachuk, then defended it with a hard-fought decision over former titlist Israil Madrimov in February. This should have earned him a crack at Sebastian Fundora right now, but like Achilles and the tortoise, he seems content to always approach a true title shot without ever taking one.

Thurman (31-1, 23 KO) spent the last few years gunning for a shot at Tim Tszyu that never materialized, first because Thurman suffered an injury and then because Fundora kicked off Tszyu’s collapse while he was out. He did demolish Brock Jarvis in March, though, so he does seem to have something left in the tank.

Martin (18-1, 12 KO) hasn’t fought since getting blown away by “Tank” Davis in June of last year and will presumably make his super lightweight debut against Barboza (32-1, 11 KO), who’s coming off a one-sided loss of his own to Teofimo Lopez. It’s an intriguing clash of styles, though it may not be a particularly entertaining one.

[Sendo Takeshi]

Don’t like it.
They should’ve made Thurman vs. Tszyu, that would’ve been a more even matchup, considering Tszyu’s recent performances.

This fight isn’t even fair.

[Evander]

All I can see is Ortiz people want a legit name to tide them over until the big one

[MPW]

All I can see is Ortiz people want a legit name to tide them over until the big one

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. Ortiz gets a "name" on his record with minimal risk, but I just wonder who his people would consider the big one.

A title fight with with either Murtazaliev, Fundora, or Zayas? He was throwing a lot of social media shade at Zayas, so maybe.
Bud? Win, lose, or draw with Canelo, I can't see him coming back down to 154.
Boots? It could be a good fight, maybe even great, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.
'Mell Charlo? Not sure he'll ever fight again, although I wouldn't mind seeing them square off.
Rematch with Bohachuk? High risk, low reward for Ortiz, so I don't think it happens.
Tellez? Potential to be a really good one, but it's another high risk, low reward fight.

[1683140]

I know a lot of people are ready to write Thurman off, but I still believe in him. He’s got the experience, ring IQ Pips NYT, and power to make things really tough for Ortiz. If he comes in healthy and sharp like he did against Jarvis, I wouldn’t be surprised to see "One Time" pull off the upset.

[MPW]

I know a lot of people are ready to write Thurman off, but I still believe in him. He’s got the experience, ring IQ Pips NYT, and power to make things really tough for Ortiz. If he comes in healthy and sharp like he did against Jarvis, I wouldn’t be surprised to see "One Time" pull off the upset.

I think that's an intriguing part about this fight: which Thurman shows up. He does bring experience, solid ring IQ and good power into the ring, but looking sharp against Jarvis is a long way from looking sharp against Ortiz Jr. That said, I would still like to see him turn back the clock and make it a sensational fight, but I am skeptical that will actually happen.