By Keith Idec
NEW YORK – Erickson Lubin has never been bashful about his ambition.
Even the most talented 21-year-old boxers are typically transitioning from the prospect to contender stages, taking calculated steps toward their goals. Lubin, a powerful southpaw from Orlando, Florida, is training for a world title fight against an unbeaten champion coming off a brutal knockout victory.
The former amateur star still doesn’t seem the least bit nervous about the biggest fight of his life.
“I think it’ll turn me into a superstar,” Lubin told BoxingScene.com. “I’m not just going out there to win the fight. I always like to win the fight in spectacular fashion. On October 14th, that’s exactly what I’m gonna do – I’m gonna win this fight in spectacular fashion and become the top dude at 154.”
The supremely confident Lubin (18-0, 13 KOs) predicted he’ll “expose” Charlo (29-0, 14 KOs) and “break him” in a scheduled 12-round fight for Charlo’s WBC super welterweight title October 14 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Lubin became the mandatory challenger for Charlo’s title by stopping Mexico’s Jorge Cota (25-2, 22 KOs) in the fourth round March 4 at Barclays Center.
Showtime will broadcast Charlo-Lubin as part of a tripleheader that’ll feature three 154-pound championship matches.
Lubin, who will turn 22 on October 1, has participated in just one fight scheduled for 12 rounds, in addition to four bouts that were contracted for 10 rounds since he turned pro in November 2013. He hasn’t boxed beyond the eighth round in any of his 18 professional fights, either.
Lubin still is certain the time is right to launch his ascent toward stardom.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to show that I am the best 154-pounder out there,” Lubin said. “I’ve got a champion in front of me. I’m not going the vacant route, where people actually go for the vacant titles and fight for the vacant titles and become champion, like he did.
“I’m going out there and I’m facing the champion. I’ve been asking for this fight for a while. It got pushed back a few times. I’m actually happy that it’s presented itself. I’m ready to showcase my talent. I’m ready to show, like I said before, that I’m the best at 154.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
