By Ryan Burton

Former title challenger Erickson Lubin (19-1) returns to the ring on February 9th against Ishe Smith.  The fight takes places underneath the Gervonta Davis-Abner Mares main event. Both fights will be televised by Showtime.

This will be Lubin's first fight since his April knockout victory over Silverio Ortiz. Prior to that fight he suffered his only professional loss when he challenged Jermell Charlo for his WBC super welterweight title in October, 2017.

Charlo held onto that title until last month when he was upset by Tony Harrison in Brooklyn. The fight was controversial as fans and insiders were divided as to whom they believed deserved the victory.

"After watching it twice I kinda of felt like he tried to rely on his power a little too much. If he kept it basic it would have been an easier fight for him. He allowed Tony Harrison to hit him with real simple shots that he wasn't supposed to get hit by. It could have went either way. I am not saying Harrison won or Charlo won. It could have went either way. I am not a judge. It was a very close fight in my opinion," Lubin told BoxingScene.com.

The 23-year-old Lubin is very interested in getting a chance to avenge his loss but he is also likes the idea of facing Harrison for another shot at a title.

"Yes, definitely," said Lubin. "I actually sparred Harrison a few years back and I handed him a nice little ass whooping. He came in the gym talking shit and I handled him real well.  He did what he had to do and he is world champion now. If that fight ever presents itself I would take it in a heart beat."

Lubin isn't sure how interested Harrison would be in facing him in the near future.  He believes that Harrison, who is contractually obligated to give Charlo a rematch, would be more inclined to try to unify titles with WBA/IBF champion Jarrett Hurd before fighting him.

Regardless of who he fights, Lubin said the plan is to win a belt by the end of the year.

"We will see what he wants to do. Maybe he wants to go for a rematch with Hurd," Lubin stated. "February 9th is the return of The Hammer. I am ready to make a big splash again and become a world champion in 2019."

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