Tag Archives: Erickson lubin

Erickson Lubin Reveals He Was Given No Warning Prior To Stoppage Against Sebastain Fundora But Doesn’t Blame Kevin Cunningham

Posted on 04/18/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Erickson Lubin pushed himself to the limit for his past training camp. The highly ranked junior middleweight contender knew that in order to successfully remove Sebastian Fundora from his title path, he would be forced to reach the sort of heights that few 154-pounders are able.

On April 9th, at the Virgins Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lubin was nearly triumphant in his bid to become an interim world champion. On the night, Lubin and Fundora waged a back and forth war that left many who were tuned in to watch, shellshocked.

After successfully outboxing his man in the first, Fundora turned the tide in the second, dropping Lubin with a short uppercut. From there, the two spent the majority of their bout in the middle of the ring. With Lubin finding his second wind, the 26-year-old rocked the freakishly tall Fundora in the seventh, sending him crashing down to the canvas for the first time in his career.

Yet, despite nearly stopping his man, Fundora quelled Lubin’s momentum in the eighth, before scoring the stoppage victory following the ninth round.

A look of disbelief was etched onto the face of Lubin as Kevin Cunningham, his head trainer, stepped onto the apron and waved off their contest.

While usually in those circumstances, both the head trainer and fighter communicate over the possibility of throwing in the towel, Lubin wasn’t afforded that courtesy. If, however, the crafty and powerful southpaw was given a heads up, he believes he would’ve gone to plan B.

“Nah we didn’t have that conversation,” said Lubin to BoxingInsider.com during a recent interview. “I don’t blame him, he’s like, looking out for me but the fighter in me, I could’ve kept going. I could’ve finished that fight. If I would’ve gotten a fair warning, like ‘oh yeah, I’m bout to stop the fight, I think you’re taking too much punches, or your face is messed up’ something like that, I would’ve changed up my game plan. I would’ve got to boxing or something. I would’ve figured it out.”

To make matters worse, at the time of stoppage, Lubin rallied enough in the second half of their contest to eke ahead on the judge’s scorecard. While judge Tim Cheatham had things even, scoring it 85-85, both Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld gave Lubin the slight edge, scoring it 85-84.

With rounds 10, 11, and 12 considered the “championship rounds”, Lubin grows even more apoplectic over the entire ordeal. While Fundora seemed to be gaining momentum, Lubin maintains that he was more than capable of doing just enough to pull out the victory.

“Yea, for sure, for sure,” said Lubin when asked if he could’ve mustered enough energy to pick up the win. “Those are the championship rounds. Those are the rounds you talk about in the gym every day. When it gets to crunch time, when it gets to those grueling rounds, when you gotta bite down. I’m for it, I’m all for it. I think I definitely would’ve bit down and came out with a decision. Maybe even a knockout.”

Despite believing that he was given a raw deal, Lubin refuses to play the blame game. Shortly following the second defeat of his career, Lubin was immediately rushed to the hospital due to severe swelling that was developing throughout. Although Lubin remains firm on wishing Cunningham communicated with him prior to the stoppage, the Florida native is of the belief that this bump in the road could become a career turning point.

“Like I said, I don’t blame Kevin. He’s going to do whatever he feels is best for me. I don’t think this is going to draw us any further from each other. I think this is actually going to have us get closer. Me and my whole team.”

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The Brutality Of Boxing

Posted on 04/11/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Photo by Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

There’s a certain art that’s associated with the sport of boxing. Of course, there’s the obvious, the barbaric actions of two fighters entering the ring shirtless, beating one another until someone shamefully says “no mas.” But boxing is more than just blood, guts, and agony.

There were a few fighters who taught us that. Take a trip back in time and watch as guys such as Pernell Whitaker, Sam Langford, Winky Wright, Gene Tunney, Wilfred Benitez, and Willie Pep – made fighters miss over and over again. Though they often picked up the win, on most occasions, they never quite appealed to fans. Even so, that never truly mattered. They retired with an unprecedented amount of wins, only a handful of losses, and a well-established bank account.

Whenever a microphone is thrown into the face of Floyd Mayweather, arguably the greatest defensive fighter of all-time, he often begins by speaking about his great investments, how effortlessly he milked the sport, and most likely, whether he’s asked about it or not, he’ll explain how easily he defeated Canelo Alvarez. Other than those sticking points, Mayweather was proud of his pristine record through 50 fights and the money he made as a result.

Seldom was the newly inducted Hall of Famer in a back and forth war for 12 rounds. That’s not to say that he didn’t have his fair share of difficult nights at the pugilistic office. Miguel Cotto, Marcos Maidana, and Jose Luis Castillo pushed Mayweather. But, despite those back and forth bouts, Mayweather provided an illusion of the sport.

Mayweather, and Andre Ward for that matter, made it look incredibly easy. Countless punches whizzed by their unprotected chins, just inches away from hitting them right on the button. Both men, and numerous others, knew when to move, when to react, and how to avoid the big punches.

But while fighters such as Mayweather, Pep, and Ward perfected the art of hit while not getting hit, this past weekend, however, was a quick reminder of the brutality of the sport.

Erickson Lubin was determined to re-establish himself as not only a top name at 154 pounds but THE top name in the weight class. Following his stunning first-round knockout loss at the hands of Jermell Charlo in 2017, Lubin pulled himself up by the bootstraps and placed himself back into the title picture.

With six consecutive wins in a row, Lubin was just one victory away from standing in the front of the line as the division’s most worthy title challenger. That said, as Lubin walked through those doors to be viewed as the best of the best, his vision was impaired by the 6’6” Sebastian Fundora.

Despite the tall task, both literally and figuratively, oddsmakers pegged Lubin as a slight favorite. The 26-year-old would prove them right early on as he outboxed the freakishly tall Fundora in the opening round of their Las Vegas showdown this past weekend. But while Lubin continued to have his moments, Fundora snuffed out any chance he had at winning.

Round after round, Lubin attempted to use his defensive abilities to ward off a fighter with a six-inch reach and ridiculous eight-inch height advantage. At times, Lubin popped his jab, deflected his man’s oncoming assault, and moved side to side, making it nearly impossible for Fundora to land flush.

But as the rounds, minutes, and seconds began ticking by, Fundora began finding the mark. In the second, the enormous contender landed a flush uppercut on Lubin, sending him to the deck. From there, Lubin began planting his feet and exchanging, something that appeared to be working in the seventh. During the period, Lubin knocked Fundora’s mouthpiece halfway across the ring and battered him until he was forced to take a knee.

While Lubin screamed and shouted in the direction of the crowd, he appeared despondent as Fundora rose back to his feet. For the remainder of their contest, Fundora pounded Lubin. And, as he returned to his corner following the completion of each hard-fought round, the swelling around his eyes worsened, the lumps on his nose were more noticeable, and his entire face grew more and more disfigured.

As first reported by BoxingScene.com, after succumbing to Fundora’s power in the ninth, it was revealed that Lubin suffered a broken nose and separated shoulder. Surprisingly, he didn’t endure any other broken bones outside of his nose.

In totality, Lubin showed grit, determination, and a refusal to fold when the going got tough. While he’s received support and an enormous amount of respect from the boxing world for his efforts, Tony Harrison, a former junior middleweight belt holder who also tips his cap to Lubin, believes that even at the age of 26, it could be time for him to hang ’em up.

“Man, listen to me – after this fight, if I’m Lubin, I’m thinking about retiring,” Harrison told BoxingScene.com. “You know what I mean? That’s a tough fight. That’s a tough out. You don’t even recognize him, for real. You know what I’m saying? He gonna be sore in the morning, and ain’t nobody gonna sit with that man but his team. This sport don’t give a f*ck about you. Lubin showed so much grit to me, man, he showed so much dog. And I really haven’t been seeing that from him. To push forward the way he was pushing forward after being knocked down, I salute that man. I salute him. It just lets you know boxing is the toughest sport in the world.”

Lubin was everything Harrison stated and more. His audacious attitude, when faced with an unbridled amount of adversity, has given him all of the respect in the world from his peers. But, it’s also a reminder of the brutality of boxing.

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Sebastian Fundora Ecstatic Over Erickson Lubin Win: “He Really Brought His Hammer But I Decided To Bring My Drill”

Posted on 04/10/2022

By: Hans Themistode

ESTHER LIN/SHOWTIME

Sebastian Fundora has often been the subject of criticism. Standing at nearly 6’6”, the 24-year-old towers over most heavyweights, let alone junior middleweights, the weight class in which he currently competes in.

Although Fundora could use his freakishly tall frame to keep his opponents at bay, he seldom does so. Instead, the Florida native often crouches down, buries his head into the chest of his opponents, and engages in a firefight.

While his bemusing game plan has led to a spotless record through 19 career fights, many were of the belief that his stand and bang approach would play right into the hands of Erickson Lubin. The two waged an all-out war last night at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Known for his moniker, “The Hammer”, Lubin did his best to attack on the outside before landing pernicious shots upstairs. Still, even with Lubin knocking Fundora down for the first time in his career, the newly crowned WBC interim titlist peeled himself up off the deck in the seventh round to register a ninth-round stoppage victory on the night.

Normally stoic following victory, Fundora took the time to pat himself on the back for a job well done.

“I think this was probably my best performance ever,” said Fundora. “It was a back-and-forth fight. He really brought his hammer but I decided to bring my drill.”

As the opening bell sounded, Lubin appeared confident as he stood in his southpaw stance. He connected on several smooth jabs that snapped the head back of Fundora. In addition to his upstairs assault, Lubin also employed a heavy body attack. However, regardless of Lubin’s success and despite Fundora tasting the canvas for the first time in his career, the highly ranked 154 pound contender had Lubin exactly where he wanted him.

Following a slow start in the first, Fundora connected on an uppercut fairly early in the second round. The force of the blow sent Lubin crashing down as a result.

With Fundora landing his money punch, the enormous contender knew that it was just a matter of time until he got Lubin out of there.

“The uppercut was landing like no other. The uppercut is my lucky punch. I’m here in Vegas, so I feel a little lucky, and that’s my lucky punch. It lands most of the time with everybody. Southpaw. Right hand. It doesn’t matter. Once I find that, I feel like the job’s done.”

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Erickson Lubin On Sebastian Fundora: “He’s A Tall Statue Of A Guy But Skills Pay The Bills”

Posted on 04/08/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Despite suffering his jaw-dropping knockout defeat at the hands of Jermell Charlo in 2017, Erickson Lubin believes that he possesses the most skill at 154 pounds. Still, while Lubin maintains that his fellow junior middleweights should be ranked below him, come Saturday night, he’ll be forced to crank his neck upwards.

On April 9th, at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lubin will have his ax nearby as he attempts to chop down the 6’6” Sebastian Fundora. Aside from just his freakishly tall frame, Lubin admits that he’s seen Fundora up close and personal on several occasions. And, having done so, the 26-year-old tips his cap in the direction of Fundora and what he brings to the table.

“He’s a tall statue of a guy,” said Lubin during a recent press conference. “He’s a good fighter, he comes in shape.”

Thanks to his inordinate height and volume punching, Fundora has overwhelmed his opponents, resulting in an undefeated record through 19 career fights. Most recently, Fundora waged a 12 round war against Sergio Garcia in December of 2021. While he continues to rack up the wins, Lubin has quietly done the same.

Since meeting his early demise at the hands of Charlo nearly five years ago, Lubin has dusted himself off and placed himself firmly in the world title picture, thanks to six consecutive victories. With a stoppage win over former unified champion Jeison Rosario in his most recent trip to the ring, Lubin is now beaming with confidence.

However, regardless of the overwhelming self-belief Lubin is now sporting, oddsmakers have tabbed his upcoming showdown against Fundora as a 50/50 affair. But while the betting public believes their showdown can go either way, Lubin is expecting a lopsided showcase.

“Skills pay the bills. I wanna show that I’m the best at 154 pounds. I’m here to make a statement, I’m here to win in dominant fashion.”

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Erickson Lubin Believes A Win Over Sebastian Fundora Will Stamp His World Title Case

Posted on 04/05/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Erickson Lubin has successfully peeled himself up off the canvas, both figuratively and literally.

With the entire boxing world watching, the Florida native would lose in stunning fashion at the hands of Jermell Charlo in October of 2017. While initially embarrassed and acrimonious by the way things played out, Lubin shifted his focus toward turning his career around.

So far so good, as the now 26-year-old has reeled off six impressive victories in a row. His seventh, however, could prove to be his most difficult. On April 9th, at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lubin will square off against the freakishly tall Sebastian Fundora.

Should Lubin secure the victory, he refuses to look up and down the list of current 154-pound contenders for his next opponent. Instead, Lubin is of the belief that as long as he takes care of business this Saturday night, his world title opportunity is undeniable.

“That has to be next,” said an animated Lubin on an episode of Morning Kombat. “That has to be next. I been number one for a while now in the WBC. I thought after the Rosario fight I would get the winner of Charlo/Castano. Obviously, there’s a draw. I’m not gonna sit there and wait. So yea, I took the fight with Fundora, Fundora is a great fighter. He’s ranked number two in the WBC. And they putting the WBC interim strap on the line.”

Charlo, as mentioned previously by Lubin, is currently occupying his time by preparing himself to face off against WBO titlist, Brian Castano. The two originally shared the ring in July of 2021, with their bout ending in a controversial split decision draw. With the two set to run things back on May 14th, Lubin is hoping that by toppling the nearly 6’6” Fundora, he’ll be viewed as the clear and only challenger for the winner.

At first glance, the enormity of Fundora’s frame would seem to pose a perplexing puzzle for Lubin to solve. Nevertheless, despite his towering physique, Lubin believes he’ll have no issue cutting his man down to size, as long as he makes the 154-pound weight limit.

“I think this fight right here separates me from the pack. I been doing the champion’s job, I been beating top contender after top contender. They put another one in front of me. I feel like I can adjust to any style. As long as he go on that scale at 154, we got a fight. It’s really no problem for me.”

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Kevin Cunningham, Trainer Of Erickson Lubin, Unimpressed With Sebastian Fundora: “He Doesn’t Use His Height And Reach Properly”

Posted on 04/04/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Appropriately nicknamed “The Towering Inferno”, Sebastian Fundora is unusually tall for the 154-pound division.

Standing at nearly 6’6”, Fundora holds a mountainous height and reach advantage over every single opponent he’s faced in the ring. But while the lanky 24-year-old has used his overwhelming physical advantages to batter his opponents, Kevin Cunningham, head trainer of Erickson Lubin, Fundora’s upcoming opponent, smirks as he turns on the tape of the humongous challenger.

Although Fundora has shown devastating knockout power, he seldom uses his overwhelming height to keep opponents at bay. Instead, the 154-pound contender is more likely to engage in a firefight.

As Cunningham continues to implement what he believes is a fail-proof game plan, he’s somewhat bemused by what Fundora doesn’t do in the ring.

“He doesn’t use his height and reach properly the way he should,” said Cunningham during an interview with Thaboxingvoice.

Desperate for a change and new direction following his stunning first-round knockout defeat at the hands of Jermell Charlo in 2017, Lubin sought the guidance of Cunningham. As a tandem, the pair have been a match made in heaven.

In addition to putting together an undefeated streak, Cunningham has guided Lubin to wins over highly ranked contenders Nathaniel Gallimore and Terrell Gausha, as well as former champions Ishe Smith and Jeison Rosario.

With a world title opportunity just within the pair’s reach, Cunningham believes that Lubin will cut his massive upcoming opponent down to size, en route to picking up the victory at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday night, April 9th.

Cunningham’s confidence in Lubin, not only stems from the sweat-filled hours they’ve put in behind the scenes but also, from the uncomplicated puzzle that stands before them.

Amidst Cunningham’s breakdown of Fundora as an overall fighter, he admits that the freakishly large contender does have a few tricks up his sleeve. However, having trained several former and current world champions – including Gervonta Davis, Adrian Broner, Robert Easter Jr., and Devon Alexander – Cunningham believes that Lubin is cut from that same championship cloth.

But, despite the overwhelming belief that Cunningham has in Lubin, he’s attempting to beat into his head the dangers that come with facing Fundora. Ultimately, Cunningham is of the belief that if Lubin quiets the outside noise and focuses on only his voice, victory is guaranteed.

“I’m not saying that he’s an excellent inside fighter,” said Cunningham of Fundora. “He’s just got some nice little uppercuts, trying to catch you coming in so you gotta be careful. Once you there, he ain’t all that on the inside. I’ve seen fighters take advantage of him on the inside.”

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Erickson Lubin Unconcerned With Sebastian Fundora’s Enormous Height: “As Long As He Weighs 154 Pounds, That’s All That Matters”

Posted on 03/31/2022

By: Hans Themistode

As Erickson Lubin looks back on his career, the 26-year-old realizes that he was entirely too eager to become a world champion.

In 2017, at the age of 21, Lubin brazenly challenged Jermell Charlo for his WBC 154 pound crown. Although the talent was ostensible, Lubin quickly realized that a showdown against Charlo was far too soon, thus suffering defeat via first-round stoppage.

Since then, however, Lubin has dusted himself and worked diligently on his craft, resulting in six consecutive victories. Although Lubin now holds wins over several top contenders such as Nathaniel Gallimore and Terrell Gausha, as well as triumphs over former world champions Ishe Smith and Jeison Rosario, he’s faced with a monumental task, both literally and figuratively, come Saturday, April 9th.

On the night, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lubin will take on Sebastian Fundora. Once the pair officially square off, Lubin will be forced to crank his neck upward as takes on the 6’5 junior middleweight contender. But while Fundora holds an eight-inch height and six-inch reach advantage, Lubin isn’t concerned with his physical dimensions.

“He’s a good fighter,” said Lubin to BoxingScene.com. “I know he comes always ready to fight. He brings the fight to you but as long as he weighs 154 pounds on that scale, that’s all that matters to me. I think skills are everything, if you don’t got skills, you really can’t f*ck with me.”

Despite being gargantuan for the weight, Fundora has seldom used his eye-catching height to keep opponents at bay. Instead, he’s often opted to stand right in front of his opposition and slug away.

For the most part, Fundora’s propensity for high octane bouts has ended badly for his opponents. In three of his past four contests, only Sergio Garcia, his most recent opponent, has reached the final bell.

Regardless of Fundora’s obvious punching power, Lubin shrugs his shoulders as he places the finishing touches on an arduous training camp. With fighters such as Fundora, Tim Tszyu, and Magomed Kurbanov gunning for their shot at a world title, Lubin is prepared to show why his name should be protruding near the top of the line amongst his fellow contenders.

“I’m a show that I’m different from all of these other contenders.”

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Erickson Lubin Vs. Sebastian Fundora Reportedly Set For April 9th

Posted on 02/10/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Erickson Lubin has done his best to work his way back up the 154 pound ladder. In 2017, at the age of 21, the extremely talented Florida native believed he was ready to begin his championship reign and challenged 154 pound titlist Jermell Charlo. Despite oddsmakers tabbing their contest as a 50/50 affair, Charlo walked right through his man, stopping him in the very first round.

Fast forward roughly five years later, and Lubin has slowly but assuredly gotten back into the championship mix, reeling off six straight wins. Now, the 26-year-old will look to make it seven in a row and solidify himself for another crack at a world title.

As first reported by Boxingscene.com, Lubin is officially set to take on fellow rising contender Sebastian Fundora in the main event of a Showtime-televised event on April 9th. As of now, the venue has not been revealed. Their 154 pound showdown will serve as a WBC title eliminator.

In the mind of the 6’5” Fundora, the 24-year-old believes he’s earned his way to fighting for a world title. While he has mostly dominated the competition, he found himself in a back and forth contest against Spaniard, Sergio Garcia. The two squared off at the tail end of 2021 with Fundora picking up the close unanimous decision win.

Before Fundora and Lubin swap fists in the ring, however, both men will be glued to the television screen one month prior. On March 19th, WBO 154 pound titlist Brian Castano, will face off against unified champion, Jermell Charlo. With the pair battling it out to a controversial draw one year prior, the two have decided to run things back immediately.

Whomever emerges from their contest as an undisputed world champion, will have little time to celebrate as they’ll be mandated to face the winner Charlo vs. Lubin during the second half of the year.

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Erickson Lubin Eyes Danny Garcia: “I’d Be More Than Happy To Welcome Him To The Division”

Posted on 11/29/2021

By: Hans Themistode

When Danny Garcia walks around his gargantuan palatial estate, it doesn’t take long before he comes across countless golden trinkets.

Though the Philadelphian has fond memories of his world title runs at both 140 and 147 pounds, the 33-year-old would feel somewhat unfulfilled if his career came to an abrupt end. Garcia’s peace of mind, would only come in the form of another title. This time, at 154 pounds.

As he continues to contemplate a move up in weight, Garcia is already of the belief that regardless of the world-class names that occupy the junior middleweight division, his skillset is a cut above them all.

“I feel like I’m better than everybody at 154,” said Garcia during a recent self-recorded video.

While Garcia has no intentions of tip-toeing around the 154-pound landscape, Erickson Lubin has become interested in testing Garcia’s theory sooner rather than later.

“Danny Garcia say he can beat all the 54 pounders,” said Lubin on his social media page. “I’d be more than happy to welcome him to the division.”

Lubin, 26, has successfully rebuilt his image over the past few years. Since suffering a first-round knockout loss at the hands of unified 154-pound titlist Jermell Charlo in 2017, Lubin has gone back to the drawing board.

As a result of his reset and step back, have been six consecutive victories. Most recently, the Florida native waged a six-round war against former champion Jeison Rosario. With both having their fair share of success, Lubin violently and suddenly stopped his man at the halfway point of their contest earlier this year.

As a direct result of his victory, Lubin now occupies the top spot in the WBC sanctioning body. In spite of his lofty standing, Lubin appears more than willing to risk his shot at a world title in order to get Garcia in the ring next.

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Kevin Cunningham Wants Danny Garcia For Erickson Lubin: “If We Can’t Get The Charlo-Castaño Winner, We Would Be Willing To Welcome Danny Garcia To The 154-Pound Division”

Posted on 07/05/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Kevin Cunningham, head trainer of 154-pound contender Erickson Lubin, has successfully helped his young fighter pick up the pieces of his shattered career. After suffering a shocking first round, one-punch knockout loss at the hands of Jermell Charlo in October of 2017, Lubin has gone on to win six straight.

His most recent ring appearance though, may have produced his most impressive performance yet. Just a few weeks ago, Lubin took on former unified champion, Jeison Rosario. Despite being shaken by a right hand in the fourth round, Lubin shrugged off those difficult moments and went on to stop his man in the sixth.

Considering that the Florida native was already made the mandatory challenger to Charlo’s WBC title, Cunningham believes that his fighter deserves credit for continuing to take tough assignment after tough assignment. As for what could be next, outside of a title shot, the long-time trainer doesn’t want to see any fight offers come across his desk unless there’s a big name associated with it.

“I think Hammer made a huge statement,” said Cunningham during an interview with Boxingscene.com. “He’s cut from the throwback fighter’s cloth. Most guys that are sitting in the #1 mandatory spot would look for a soft touch until they get the title shot. Hammer’s only interested in fighting the best in the division. So while he’s waiting for his shot, he’s willing to fight the other top names in the division.”

Speaking of top names in the division, Danny Garcia, a former unified champion at 140 pounds and a one-time belt holder at 147, is ready to move up in an attempt to be considered an elite 154-pounder.

“I really want to go to 154 pounds,” said Garcia during a recent interview with FightHype.com. “I really do.”

If the decision was solely up to Cunningham, he would much rather Lubin take on the winner of the undisputed showdown between Charlo and Brian Castaño on July 17th. Believing that his man has done everything necessary to warrant a title shot in his next bout, Cunningham desperately wants Lubin to get another crack at a world title.

But, as is the case at times in boxing, mandated title challengers are made to wait far longer than they would like. If the same fate awaits Lubin, Cunningham would have no problem preparing his man to take on a decorated fighter who is looking to make a mark in his new division.

“We only want a marquee fight next. If for some reason we can’t get the Charlo-Castaño winner, we would be willing to oblige Danny Garcia and welcome him to the 154-pound division.”

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Erickson Lubin Violently Stops Jeison Rosario In The Sixth

Posted on 06/26/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Both men desperately wanted it. For both Erickson Lubin and Jeison Rosario, it was a chance to move past the shadow that has been cast over their careers by Jermell Charlo. With the current unified champion holding wins against both men, they attempted to move past their one-sided knockout losses and get on the championship track.

For Erickson Lubin, he did just that.

As the crowd began filling the State Farm Arena, in Atlanta Georgia, they could barely stay in their seats. Both men walked to the center of the ring and attempted to take control. In the opening two rounds, it was clear that Lubin had the clear edge in terms of overall boxing. The Florida native seemingly breezed through the first two rounds before dominating the third round. On several occasions, the highly-rated contender landed several flush shots which had Rosario on shaky legs.

As Rosario walked back to his seat at the end of the round, the former unified titlist at 154 pounds was visibly shaken. He stumbled mightily and breathed in deeply as he took a seat. As the crowd at State Farm Arena rose to their feet in the following round in anticipation of a knockout win for Lubin, Rosario had something to say about. The Dominican Republic native stormed back in the fourth round and took clear control.

Much like Lubin’s shot at the end of the third which had his man visibly rattled, he was now on the receiving end of a similar blow. Rosario landed a clean right hand which had Lubin shaken.

Trainer Kevin Cunningham tore into Lubin once he returned to the corner and implored him to follow the game plan. As the start of the fifth began, he did just that, Lubin went back to his jab which was effective for him in the early going.

In the sixth, after attacking Rosario’s midsection several times over, Lubin finally found the shot he was looking for as Rosario crumbled to the floor. While he managed to return to his feet, Lubin went right back to the well and attacked the body again. No longer able to withstand the punishment, Rosario fell to his knees once again, this time for good.

With the win, Lubin will officially move into the mandated title position for the WBC.

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Erickson Lubin: “This Been The Best Camp Of My Whole Career, There’s No Doubt In My Mind That I’m Ready For A Title Now”

Posted on 06/26/2021

By: Hans Themistode

The fun part is truly about to begin for Erickson Lubin. After a grueling training camp that lasted over 12 weeks, the highly rated 154-pound contender is only a few hours away from stepping back inside the ring.

Standing across from him will be former unified champion, Jeison Rosario, in the co-main event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia. Although he’s always been willing to put in the work, Lubin believes that he took things up a level for his preparation. And while he could have spent the next few minutes breaking down the exact details of why he’ll be in the best shape of his life, the Florida native would much rather let his performance do the talking for him.

“This been the best camp of my whole career and I think this is going to be my best performance,” said Lubin during an interview with Ray Flores. “I’m locked in, I’m ready to rock and show the world.”

For Lubin, the road to a world title has been both relatively easy and excruciatingly difficult. After blasting through the competition at a young age, a flamboyant Lubin screamed from the mountain tops for a shot at a world title. Answering the call, was Jermell Charlo.

The two clashed in the main event slot at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York on October 14th, 2017. While fans were just getting comfortable in their seats to watch what many believed was a 50/50 sort of matchup, Charlo sent everyone home early as he landed one punch in the final few seconds of the opening round which ended the night.

Since then, Lubin has been forced to grind his way back up from the bottom. He’s reeled off five straight wins against several notable names and most recently, took care of business against Terrell Gausha in September of 2020, winning a close unanimous decision.

Looking back, Lubin smiles as he admits that he may have been a bit too quick in his bravado for a world title at a young age. That said, with the plethora of experience he has now, he believes he’s ready for the next step.

“I went for the title a couple days after turning 22. I made a mistake and went in there a little bit too early and got caught with a good shot. Now, I feel like I’m more seasoned and way more ready. I like the steps that we’re taking now. We’re fighting these significant opponents. The top guys in this weight class. These are definitely the fights that I needed under my belt to mature in that ring and get the experience that I needed. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m ready for a title now.”

Before Lubin receives another crack at a world title, however, he’ll have to deal with an aggressive, heavy-hitting, former unified titlist who’s anxious to relive his championship moments. The Dominican Republic native was stripped of titles in violent fashion at the hands of Jermell Charlo in September of 2020.

In the mind of Rosario, his loss to Charlo was nothing more than a “fluke” and is motivated to get back on track with a knockout against Lubin. His brazen threats are something that Lubin isn’t taking lightly. All training camp long, the highly-rated contender has used Rosario’s words as a form of motivation. Now, with their showdown just a few hours away, Lubin is foaming at the mouth as he patiently watches the seconds tick off the clock.

“I’m expecting the best Rosario to be out there. That’s what keeps me motivated and keeps that fire in me. I’m looking forward to this.”

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Erickson Lubin: “I Want The Best (Jeison) Rosario So I Can Show The World That I’m The Best At 154 Pounds”

Posted on 06/17/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Quietly, Erickson Lubin has put together quite the run. After suffering a first-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Jermell Charlo in October of 2017, Lubin has gone on to win five straight. In his most recent contest, the Florida native picked up a close unanimous decision win against fringe contender Terrell Gausha.

With each victory, Lubin continues to build his already stellar resume. In an effort to reinforce it yet again, the highly rated 154-pound contender will take on former unified champion Jeison Rosario. The two are slated to be the co-main event to Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios at the State Farm Arena on June 26th.

As his fight date creeps closer and closer, Lubin simply can’t wait to add another quality scalp to his already impressive collection.

“I’m excited to be facing another ex-world champion,” said Lubin during an interview with FightHype.com. “It’s a good look on my resume. June 26th, expect fireworks.”

Rosario, 26, is looking to jump back onto the title scene after losing in blowout fashion to Jermell Charlo in September of last year and losing his 154-pound titles in the process. Rosario would hit the deck on three separate occasions before ultimately getting stopped in the eighth round. Before his untimely demise, Rosario made a name for himself as he stomped into the backyard of former unified champion Julian Williams and stopped him in front of his hometown crowd in five rounds.

Ultimately, Lubin is hoping that the same Rosario that showed up against Williams, is the one who’s standing across from him come fight night.

“I want the best Rosario. I want the Rosario that upset Jrock (Julian Williams) so I can show the world that I’m the best at 154 pounds.”

In terms of respect, Lubin has the utmost for Rosario and what he brings to the table. With that said, he views a win over the former world champion as a formality. If Lubin does in fact pick up the win, he’ll turn his full attention to July 17th. On the date in question, Charlo takes WBO belt holder, Brian Castano. The winner of their showdown will become the first undisputed champion at 154 pounds since Winky Wright in 2004.

While he doesn’t want to look too far ahead, Lubin has an eye on how things will shake out.

“I feel like after this victory right here, we’ll be for sure in line for that title. I know he got a test in front of him in Castano but I want the winner. After I take care of business here, we’ll definitely be in the talks for that.”

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Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios and Erickson Lubin vs Jeison Rosario Headline Showtime Pay-per-view Event June 26th

Posted on 04/15/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Gervonta Davis will no longer drain his body in order to make weight.

The former two-division world champion has long been rumored to take on current WBA “Regular” super lightweight world champion Mario Barrios. Now, with Showtime Boxing officially releasing their spring/summer schedule, those rumors have been confirmed.

Outside of his most recent contest against Leo Santa Cruz, Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) has a long history of struggling to make weight. In August of 2017, the Baltimore native failed to make weight for his showdown against Francisco Fonseca and was subsequently stripped of his title at the weigh-in. Davis would still go on to stop Fonseca in the third round of their contest.

In December of 2019, Davis opted to move up to the 135 pound division to take on long faded title contender Yuriorkis Gamboa with the vacant WBA “Regular” title on the line. Despite making the move five pounds north, Davis failed to make weight on the first try. He would then strip down to make the 135-pound weight limit. Regardless of his issues on the scale, Davis went on to stop Gamboa before taking on his toughest test to date in Leo Santa Cruz, starching him in the sixth round of their contest that took place at a contracted weight of 130 pounds.

Although Davis has shown an ability to walk right through his opponents, he’ll face several disadvantages when he takes on Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs). The San Antonio Texas, native will walk into their contest with a four-inch reach and five-inch height advantage.

With both men slated to square off on a Showtime pay-per-view event on June 26th, they’ll receive a major boost in the form of an action packed co-main event.

Former unified 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario will take on streaking contender Erickson Lubin. Both are looking to jump back into the championship mix with a win come fight night.

For Rosario (20-2-1, 14 KOs), he burst onto the scene following a stunning fifth-round upset win against Julian Williams in January of 2020. The win for Rosario may have netted him both the WBA and IBF world titles but his reign at the top of the mountain was truncated in his next ring appearance against Jermell Charlo. The aforementioned Charlo would go on to drop Rosario in the first and sixth-round before ultimately stopping him in brutal fashion in the eighth.

In the case of Lubin (23-1, 16 KOs), he’ll look to place even more distance between himself and his own knockout defeat at the hands of Charlo. The two battled it out in a highly anticipated contest in October of 2017. While it was thought to be a closely fought contest going in, Charlo ended things early with a one-punch knockout. Since then, Lubin has reeled off five straight wins.

Currently, the Florida product occupies the number one ranking in the WBC sanctioning body and looks to further solidify his title shot come June 26th.

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Jeison Rosario and Erickson Lubin Set To Square Off

Posted on 04/02/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Jeison Rosario will have an opportunity to jump right back into the title hunt in his next contest. As first reported by boxingscene.com, the former unified Jr middleweight titlist has agreed to terms with contender Erickson Lubin.

Currently, no date or venue has been revealed as of yet but the pair are officially heading towards a showdown in the coming months. For Lubin, a matchup with Rosario is exactly what he’s called for as he continues to rehabilitate his image following a knockout loss at the hands of Jermell Charlo in October of 2017.

Since the stunning one punch defeat, Lubin (23-1, 16 KOs) has dusted himself off and handled his business in the ring, winning five straight. The 2016 ESPN prospect of the year added former Olympian Terrell Gausha to his win column as the two battled it out in September of 2020. Lubin easily outboxed his man during the first half of the fight before struggling down the stretch to eke out the close decision win.

As for Rosario, his time at the top of the division proved to be transient. After upsetting the odds by punishing former unified Jr middleweight champion Julian Williams via fifth-round knockout, Rosario’s title reign was immediately truncated in his next contest against Jermell Charlo.

No matter how hard he tried, Rosario (20-2-1, 14 KOs) simply found himself outgunned on the night. The Dominican Republic native peeled himself up off the canvas in the first and six rounds. While he proved to be resilient, Rosario was ultimately sent to the canvas for the third and final time in the eighth round.

Presently, thanks to his five consecutive wins, Lubin occupies the number one spot in the WBC rankings. He’ll look to solidify his status in the division with a win over the former belt holder.

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