On Saturday, October 14, from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, there will be a Showtime televised tripleheader - featuring three world titles fights in the junior middleweight division.
Erislandy "The American Dream" Lara (24-2-2, 14 KOs) will defend his WBA, IBO titles against undefeated 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (20-0, 9 KOs). In the co-main event, WBC champion champion Jermell "Iron Man" Charlo (29-0, 14 KOs) takes on mandatory challenger Erickson "Hammer" Lubin (18-0, 13 KOs).
And opening up the TV portion of the show, "Swift" Jarrett Hurd (20-0, 14 KOs) will make his first title defense of the IBF title against former world champion Austin "No Doubt" Trout (30-3, 17 KOs).
In the case of Hurd, the contest will present him with his most experienced opponent.
Hurd has stopped his last six opponents, and Trout has never been stopped. Trout has been in the ring with everyone from Jermall Charlo, Miguel Cotto to Canelo Alvarez to Lara.
Hurd has a lot of respect for Trout and has his mind set on winning the fight. While he would like to get a victory inside the distance, he admits that scenario would be tough to achieve.
He also feels, based on watching some recent fights, that Trout is no longer the same fighter that defeated Cotto and came close to derailing Canelo.
"This is definitely my toughest fight. Austin Trout is definitely a crafty veteran who has been in there with some of the best. His losses have been to top champions Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy Lara and Jermall Charlo. He definitely knows all of the tricks. One thing Trout has that a lot of others don’t is knowing how to survive and make it throughout 12 rounds. We’re not going out there just looking for the stoppage, but that would be a big statement for me. It’s going to be tough to try to get one against Trout," Hurd told Premier Boxing Champions.
"But I also know the Trout you saw against Canelo was the last of the best Trout you’ve seen. From his last fights with Lara and Charlo, I don’t think he’s the same Trout anymore. He doesn’t seem as mobile or use the ring as much…I got a Trout to catch.
"I’m on a streak of six straight knockouts. Trout's never been stopped. I’m looking for the stoppage and a statement other fighters couldn’t make. I didn’t have to take this fight. It’s a voluntary defense, but I wanted to prove to fans I’m a real deal, true champion."
