Tag: Jeison Rosario

Pound-for-pound: 5 fights that could shake things up

Here are five fights that could shake up the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list.

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list could look considerably different in the next few months.

At least 14 of the 20 fighters on our list — the Top 15 and five honorable mentions — are scheduled or expected to fight before the end of the year, several of them before the end of next month.

No. 12 Josh Taylor fights mandatory challenge Apinun Khongsong this coming Saturday in London. On the same day, honorable mention Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final in Munich.

Those at least tentatively set to fight next month: No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (vs. honorable mention Teofimo Lopez), No. 4 Naoya Inoue (vs. Jason Moloney), No. 5 Oleksandr Usyk (vs. Derek Chisora), Juan Carlos Estrada (vs. Carlos Cuadras) and No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (vs. Gervonta Davis).

The rest of the 14 probably will fight before 2021. The remaining six? Several probably will fight early next year while the fate of a few — Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao, for example — is utterly uncertain.

On top of all that, the winners of the two featured fights on the pay-per-view card this Saturday — Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario — will probably get serious pound-for-pound consideration, particularly if they dominate.

So which upcoming matchups are most likely to alter our pound-for-pound list? Here are five that could shake things up.

Gervonta Davis (left, against Jesus Cuellar) will be a handful for Leo Santa Cruz. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
  1. No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) vs. Gervonta Davis (23-0, 22 KOs, Oct. 24: Santa Cruz, who will be defending his 130-pound title, is ranked here and more experienced than Davis but the challenger is naturally bigger, probably more gifted and definitely more explosive. That’s why Davis is around a 2½-to-1 favorite in the fight. Santa Cruz could outwork Davis, as he does against most opponents, but he’ll have his work cut out. Davis most likely will climb onto the list if he wins.
  2. No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) vs HM Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), Oct. 17: Yes, the man on top is in danger of being knocked off. Lomachenko is around a 3-to-1 favorite but don’t let that fool you. The Ukrainian is probably the most-gifted active fighter but, at 32, some believe he’s slipping. If that’s the case, this could be Lopez’s breakthrough victory. The Honduran-American has everything but an abundance of experience. He’s skillful, fast and powerful, and has a nasty streak that fans love. No one will be shocked if Lopez wins.
  3. No. 7 Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs) vs. Danny Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs), Nov. 21: Spence is around a 5-to-1 favorite, which seems about right. The welterweight titleholder is both talented and naturally bigger than Garcia, who was at his best at 140 pounds. Two things, though. One, Garcia is an elite fighter who has demonstrated over and over again that he knows how to win. And, two, Spence hasn’t fought since his horrific car accident in October. Garcia was a threat to Spence at his best. If he’s not 100 percent? An upset becomes likely.
  4. Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) vs. Jeison Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Sept. 26: Charlo would probably be on the list now if he hadn’t slipped up in his first fight with Tony Harrison. He got his revenge by knockout, though. And he will be impossible to ignore if he can beat this Dominican beast. Rosario doesn’t have a deep resume but he’s coming off a huge upset stoppage of Julian Williams. If he can beat Williams and Charlo back to back, well, he will have demonstrated that he’s one of the best fighters in the world. And it could happen.
  5. Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) vs. Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs), Sept. 26: Briedis proved what he’s made of when he fought Oleksanr Usyk on even terms before losing a razor-thin majority decision in 2018. The Latvian, who can do it all, has since reached the final of the WBSS tournament, stopping Krzysztof Glowacki in the semis. Dorticos is no pushover. The Cuban can box and punch, as his record indicates. A victory over Briedis — around a 2-to-1 favorite — would lift him to star status. And it won’t be shocking if he does.

***

No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko is in training for his Oct. 17 fight against Teofimo Lopez. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

BOXING JUNKIE

POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Vasiliy Lomachenko
  2. Terence Crawford
  3. Canelo Alvarez
  4. Naoya Inoue
  5. Oleksandr Usyk
  6. Gennadiy Golovkin
  7. Errol Spence Jr.
  8. Tyson Fury
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada
  10. Mikey Garcia
  11. Artur Beterbiev
  12. Josh Taylor
  13. Manny Pacquiao
  14. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
  15. Leo Santa Cruz

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka

Pound-for-pound: 5 fights that could shake things up

Here are five fights that could shake up the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list.

The Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list could look considerably different in the next few months.

At least 14 of the 20 fighters on our list — the Top 15 and five honorable mentions — are scheduled or expected to fight before the end of the year, several of them before the end of next month.

No. 12 Josh Taylor fights mandatory challenge Apinun Khongsong this coming Saturday in London. On the same day, honorable mention Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos in the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final in Munich.

Those at least tentatively set to fight next month: No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (vs. honorable mention Teofimo Lopez), No. 4 Naoya Inoue (vs. Jason Moloney), No. 5 Oleksandr Usyk (vs. Derek Chisora), Juan Carlos Estrada (vs. Carlos Cuadras) and No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (vs. Gervonta Davis).

The rest of the 14 probably will fight before 2021. The remaining six? Several probably will fight early next year while the fate of a few — Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao, for example — is utterly uncertain.

On top of all that, the winners of the two featured fights on the pay-per-view card this Saturday — Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario — will probably get serious pound-for-pound consideration, particularly if they dominate.

So which upcoming matchups are most likely to alter our pound-for-pound list? Here are five that could shake things up.

Gervonta Davis (left, against Jesus Cuellar) will be a handful for Leo Santa Cruz. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
  1. No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) vs. Gervonta Davis (23-0, 22 KOs, Oct. 24: Santa Cruz, who will be defending his 130-pound title, is ranked here and more experienced than Davis but the challenger is naturally bigger, probably more gifted and definitely more explosive. That’s why Davis is around a 2½-to-1 favorite in the fight. Santa Cruz could outwork Davis, as he does against most opponents, but he’ll have his work cut out. Davis most likely will climb onto the list if he wins.
  2. No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) vs HM Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), Oct. 17: Yes, the man on top is in danger of being knocked off. Lomachenko is around a 3-to-1 favorite but don’t let that fool you. The Ukrainian is probably the most-gifted active fighter but, at 32, some believe he’s slipping. If that’s the case, this could be Lopez’s breakthrough victory. The Honduran-American has everything but an abundance of experience. He’s skillful, fast and powerful, and has a nasty streak that fans love. No one will be shocked if Lopez wins.
  3. No. 7 Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs) vs. Danny Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs), Nov. 21: Spence is around a 5-to-1 favorite, which seems about right. The welterweight titleholder is both talented and naturally bigger than Garcia, who was at his best at 140 pounds. Two things, though. One, Garcia is an elite fighter who has demonstrated over and over again that he knows how to win. And, two, Spence hasn’t fought since his horrific car accident in October. Garcia was a threat to Spence at his best. If he’s not 100 percent? An upset becomes likely.
  4. Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) vs. Jeison Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Sept. 26: Charlo would probably be on the list now if he hadn’t slipped up in his first fight with Tony Harrison. He got his revenge by knockout, though. And he will be impossible to ignore if he can beat this Dominican beast. Rosario doesn’t have a deep resume but he’s coming off a huge upset stoppage of Julian Williams. If he can beat Williams and Charlo back to back, well, he will have demonstrated that he’s one of the best fighters in the world. And it could happen.
  5. Mairis Briedis (26-1, 19 KOs) vs. Yuniel Dorticos (24-1, 22 KOs), Sept. 26: Briedis proved what he’s made of when he fought Oleksanr Usyk on even terms before losing a razor-thin majority decision in 2018. The Latvian, who can do it all, has since reached the final of the WBSS tournament, stopping Krzysztof Glowacki in the semis. Dorticos is no pushover. The Cuban can box and punch, as his record indicates. A victory over Briedis — around a 2-to-1 favorite — would lift him to star status. And it won’t be shocking if he does.

***

No. 1 Vasiliy Lomachenko is in training for his Oct. 17 fight against Teofimo Lopez. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

BOXING JUNKIE

POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Vasiliy Lomachenko
  2. Terence Crawford
  3. Canelo Alvarez
  4. Naoya Inoue
  5. Oleksandr Usyk
  6. Gennadiy Golovkin
  7. Errol Spence Jr.
  8. Tyson Fury
  9. Juan Francisco Estrada
  10. Mikey Garcia
  11. Artur Beterbiev
  12. Josh Taylor
  13. Manny Pacquiao
  14. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
  15. Leo Santa Cruz

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Miguel Berchelt, Mairis Briedis, Teofimo Lopez, Shawn Porter and Kosei Tanaka

Fight Week: Charlo brothers, Josh Taylor, Dorticos vs. Briedis

The Charlo brothers are in the spotlight on a busy weekend of boxing.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

JERMALL CHARLO (30-0, 22 KOs)
VS. SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO (13-2, 10 KOs)

Jermall Charlo will face his biggest test at middleweight when he fights Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC title
Odds: Charlo 1½-1
Also on the card (Part I of PPV): Brandon Figueroa vs. Damien Vasquez, junior featherweights; John Riel Casimero vs. Duke Micah, bantamweights (for Casimero’s WBO title)
Prediction: Charlo UD
Background: The main event of the first portion of the pay-per-view card is essentially a 50-50 fight. Charlo has picked up at 160 pounds where he left off at 154 – remaining unbeaten – but he hasn’t faced the same-level of opposition, which changes in this matchup. The complete fighter from Houston beat Austin Trout and Julian Williams at 154, which helped establish him as one of the most-respected fighters in the world. However, since moving up in weight, he has faced Jorge Heiland, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matvey Korobov, Brandon Adams and Dennis Hogan, none of whom provided an adequate test of Charlo’s ability at middleweight. Meanwhile, Derevyanchenko fought the best in the division in two of his last three fights. The Ukrainian pushed both Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin to their limits in losses some believe he did enough to win. In other words, one could argue that he proved more in two losses than Charlo did in five victories at 160. Bottom line: Both fighters are excellent, experienced boxers with power.

***

JERMELL CHARLO (33-1, 17 KOs)
VS. JEISON ROSARIO (20-1-1, 14 KOs)

Jermell Charlo faces Jeison Rosario in a winner-take-all fight on Saturday. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC and Rosario’s WBA and IBF titles
Odds: Charlo 3½-1
Also on the card: Luis Nery vs. Aaron Alameda, junior featherweights (for vacant WBC title); Daniel Roman vs. Juan Carlos Payano, junior featherweights
Prediction: Charlo KO 9
Background: The featured fight in Part II of the pay-per-view show also is a toss-up. Charlo rebounded from a disputed unanimous-decision loss to slick Tony Harrison in December 2018 by stopping Harrison in the 11th round this past December, which allowed him to regain his title. Jermall Charlo’s twin has impressive credentials at 154 pounds, with victories over Vanes Martirosyan, John Jackson, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout and Harrison, among other notable opponents. Still, Rosario could be his defining fight at the weight. Rosario has blossomed recently under trainer Luis Perez, who introduced the powerful, but raw Domincan to regimentation. The discipline paid off in January, when he stopped talented Julian Williams in five rounds to win two junior middleweight titles. Remember: Williams was coming off a dominating victory over Jarrett Hurd and was considered one of the best in the business. Rosario is big, strong and good. This is an even matchup.

***

JOSH TAYLOR (16-0, 12 KOs)
VS. APINUN KHONGSONG (16-0, 13 KOs)

Josh Taylor took a giant step in his career when he defeated Regis Prograis. Stephen Pond / Getty Images

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: York Hall, London
TV: ESPN+ (U.S.), BT Sport (U.K.)
Division: Junior welterweight
At stake: Taylor’s IBF and WBA titles
Odds: Taylor 17-1
Also on the card: Charlie Edwards vs. Kyle Williams, bantamweights; David Oliver Joyce vs. Ionut Baluta, junior featherweights
Prediction: Taylor KO 7
Background: Taylor has emerged as a major star the past few years, with victories over Viktor Postol, Ryan Martin, Ivan Baranchyk and, most significantly, Regis Prograis. The victory over Prograis in October, which unified two 140-pound titles, lifted Taylor onto some pound-for-pound lists. The Scot is a superb boxer with good power and sharp ring intelligence. He’s expected to face Jose Ramirez in a massive showdown to unify all four major titles early next year, assuming he wins on Saturday. Khongsong is largely unknown to those in the west. The 24-year-old native of Thailand has fought outside his country only once and that was in Japan. He appears to be a solid, aggressive boxer with heavy hands. His knockout of Akihiro Kondo was particularly striking. Khongsong isn’t shy about engaging with his opponents, which could lead to his demise against a fighter of Taylor’s ability.

***

YUNIEL DORTICOS (24-1, 22 KOs)
VS. MAIRIS BRIEDIS (26-1, 19 KOs)

Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos for the WBSS championship and a cruiserweight title.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, Munich
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Cruiserweight
At stake: Dorticos’ IBF title
Odds: Briedis 1½-1
Also on the card: Denis Radovan vs. Robert Talarek, middleweights; Leon Bunn vs. Timo Laine, super middleweights.
Prediction: Briedis UD
Background: The final of the cruiserweight portion of the World Boxing Super Series, which was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, is finally here. Dorticos, a big puncher from Cuba, bounced back from a knockout loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018 to outpoint Mateusz Masternak in the first round of the tournament and stop Andrew Tabiti in 10 rounds in the semis to win the vacant IBF title in June of last year. Briedis, a polished boxer with power, is Dorticos’ toughest test since Gassiev. The Latvian proved his mettle by fighting Oleksandr Usyk on even terms in a majority-decision loss in 2018. He outpointed Noel Gevor in the first round of the WBSS and stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds in the semis to win the WBO title. He lost his belt when he chose to face Dorticos rather than Glowacki, his mandatory challenger, in a rematch.

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Fight Week: Charlo brothers, Josh Taylor, Dorticos vs. Briedis

The Charlo brothers are in the spotlight on a busy weekend of boxing.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

JERMALL CHARLO (30-0, 22 KOs)
VS. SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO (13-2, 10 KOs)

Jermall Charlo will face his biggest test at middleweight when he fights Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC title
Odds: Charlo 1½-1
Also on the card (Part I of PPV): Brandon Figueroa vs. Damien Vasquez, junior featherweights; John Riel Casimero vs. Duke Micah, bantamweights (for Casimero’s WBO title)
Prediction: Charlo UD
Background: The main event of the first portion of the pay-per-view card is essentially a 50-50 fight. Charlo has picked up at 160 pounds where he left off at 154 – remaining unbeaten – but he hasn’t faced the same-level of opposition, which changes in this matchup. The complete fighter from Houston beat Austin Trout and Julian Williams at 154, which helped establish him as one of the most-respected fighters in the world. However, since moving up in weight, he has faced Jorge Heiland, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matvey Korobov, Brandon Adams and Dennis Hogan, none of whom provided an adequate test of Charlo’s ability at middleweight. Meanwhile, Derevyanchenko fought the best in the division in two of his last three fights. The Ukrainian pushed both Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin to their limits in losses some believe he did enough to win. In other words, one could argue that he proved more in two losses than Charlo did in five victories at 160. Bottom line: Both fighters are excellent, experienced boxers with power.

***

JERMELL CHARLO (33-1, 17 KOs)
VS. JEISON ROSARIO (20-1-1, 14 KOs)

Jermell Charlo faces Jeison Rosario in a winner-take-all fight on Saturday. Andrew Hemingway / Showtime

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC and Rosario’s WBA and IBF titles
Odds: Charlo 3½-1
Also on the card: Luis Nery vs. Aaron Alameda, junior featherweights (for vacant WBC title); Daniel Roman vs. Juan Carlos Payano, junior featherweights
Prediction: Charlo KO 9
Background: The featured fight in Part II of the pay-per-view show also is a toss-up. Charlo rebounded from a disputed unanimous-decision loss to slick Tony Harrison in December 2018 by stopping Harrison in the 11th round this past December, which allowed him to regain his title. Jermall Charlo’s twin has impressive credentials at 154 pounds, with victories over Vanes Martirosyan, John Jackson, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout and Harrison, among other notable opponents. Still, Rosario could be his defining fight at the weight. Rosario has blossomed recently under trainer Luis Perez, who introduced the powerful, but raw Domincan to regimentation. The discipline paid off in January, when he stopped talented Julian Williams in five rounds to win two junior middleweight titles. Remember: Williams was coming off a dominating victory over Jarrett Hurd and was considered one of the best in the business. Rosario is big, strong and good. This is an even matchup.

***

JOSH TAYLOR (16-0, 12 KOs)
VS. APINUN KHONGSONG (16-0, 13 KOs)

Josh Taylor took a giant step in his career when he defeated Regis Prograis. Stephen Pond / Getty Images

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: York Hall, London
TV: ESPN+ (U.S.), BT Sport (U.K.)
Division: Junior welterweight
At stake: Taylor’s IBF and WBA titles
Odds: Taylor 17-1
Also on the card: Charlie Edwards vs. Kyle Williams, bantamweights; David Oliver Joyce vs. Ionut Baluta, junior featherweights
Prediction: Taylor KO 7
Background: Taylor has emerged as a major star the past few years, with victories over Viktor Postol, Ryan Martin, Ivan Baranchyk and, most significantly, Regis Prograis. The victory over Prograis in October, which unified two 140-pound titles, lifted Taylor onto some pound-for-pound lists. The Scot is a superb boxer with good power and sharp ring intelligence. He’s expected to face Jose Ramirez in a massive showdown to unify all four major titles early next year, assuming he wins on Saturday. Khongsong is largely unknown to those in the west. The 24-year-old native of Thailand has fought outside his country only once and that was in Japan. He appears to be a solid, aggressive boxer with heavy hands. His knockout of Akihiro Kondo was particularly striking. Khongsong isn’t shy about engaging with his opponents, which could lead to his demise against a fighter of Taylor’s ability.

***

YUNIEL DORTICOS (24-1, 22 KOs)
VS. MAIRIS BRIEDIS (26-1, 19 KOs)

Mairis Briedis faces Yuniel Dorticos for the WBSS championship and a cruiserweight title.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, Munich
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Cruiserweight
At stake: Dorticos’ IBF title
Odds: Briedis 1½-1
Also on the card: Denis Radovan vs. Robert Talarek, middleweights; Leon Bunn vs. Timo Laine, super middleweights.
Prediction: Briedis UD
Background: The final of the cruiserweight portion of the World Boxing Super Series, which was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, is finally here. Dorticos, a big puncher from Cuba, bounced back from a knockout loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018 to outpoint Mateusz Masternak in the first round of the tournament and stop Andrew Tabiti in 10 rounds in the semis to win the vacant IBF title in June of last year. Briedis, a polished boxer with power, is Dorticos’ toughest test since Gassiev. The Latvian proved his mettle by fighting Oleksandr Usyk on even terms in a majority-decision loss in 2018. He outpointed Noel Gevor in the first round of the WBSS and stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds in the semis to win the WBO title. He lost his belt when he chose to face Dorticos rather than Glowacki, his mandatory challenger, in a rematch.

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Bakhram Murtazaliev on standby for Charlo-Rosario fight Sept. 26

Bakhram Murtazaliev will step in if either Jermell Charlo or Jeison Rosario has to pull out of their fight on Sept. 26.

Promoters are required to have backup fighters ready to step in at a moment’s notice during these unusual times.

Bakhram Murtazaliev is that backup for the Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario junior middleweight title-unification fight on Sept. 26 in Uncasville, Conn., according to BoxingScene.com.

The Russian contender is training to face Manny Woods (16-9-1, 6 KOs) off TV but would move into the co-feature if one of the fighters tests positive for COVID-19 or has to drop out for another reason.

Even if he doesn’t get his opportunity on the pay-per-view card, it probably will come soon for Murtazaliev (17-0, 13 KOs). He’s the mandatory challenger to Rosario’s IBF 154-pound title, meaning he’ll be first in line to fight the Charlo-Rosario winner for that belt.

Murtazaliev is coming off a one-sided unanimous decision over Jorge Fortea in November, which earned him the mandatory position.

Jermall Charlo faces Sergiy Derevyanchenko in the other co-feature on the card.

 

Bakhram Murtazaliev on standby for Charlo-Rosario fight Sept. 26

Bakhram Murtazaliev will step in if either Jermell Charlo or Jeison Rosario has to pull out of their fight on Sept. 26.

Promoters are required to have backup fighters ready to step in at a moment’s notice during these unusual times.

Bakhram Murtazaliev is that backup for the Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario junior middleweight title-unification fight on Sept. 26 in Uncasville, Conn., according to BoxingScene.com.

The Russian contender is training to face Manny Woods (16-9-1, 6 KOs) off TV but would move into the co-feature if one of the fighters tests positive for COVID-19 or has to drop out for another reason.

Even if he doesn’t get his opportunity on the pay-per-view card, it probably will come soon for Murtazaliev (17-0, 13 KOs). He’s the mandatory challenger to Rosario’s IBF 154-pound title, meaning he’ll be first in line to fight the Charlo-Rosario winner for that belt.

Murtazaliev is coming off a one-sided unanimous decision over Jorge Fortea in November, which earned him the mandatory position.

Jermall Charlo faces Sergiy Derevyanchenko in the other co-feature on the card.

 

Erickson Lubin vs. Terrell Gausha: ‘Everything is on the line’

Erickson Lubin hopes to maintain his recent momentum when he fights Terrell Gausha in a title eliminator on Saturday.

Erickson Lubin takes the next step in his resurgence as a legitimate junior middleweight contender on Saturday.

Lubin (22-1, 16 KOs) is scheduled to face former U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (21-1-1, 10 KOs) in a title eliminator in Uncasville, Conn., on Showtime, which will place the winner in line to challenge whomever wins the Sept. 26 Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario title-unification fight.

Lubin, only 24, has won four consecutive fights since Charlo stopped him in one round in 2017. He wants to maintain his recent momentum and do it in style.

“I respect him as a fighter, but I don’t think Gausha is on my level,” Lubin said. “He’s standing in my way of becoming a world champion, so I need to take care of business Saturday night and look good doing it.

“I have to make a statement in this fight.”

One reason for Lubin’s recent success is veteran trainer Kevin Cunningham, who was brought in after the loss to Charlo.

Erickson Lubin faces has had his hand raised in every fight except one, a first-round knockout loss to Jermell Charlo. Sarah Crabill / Getty Images

Cunningham has been in his corner during all four victories, over Silverio Ortiz (KO 4), Ishe Smith (KO 3), Zakaria Attou (KO 4) and Nathaniel Gallimore (UD) in his most-recent fight, in October.

Cunningham obviously has Lubin back on track.

“We’re out here in West Palm Beach, Fla. and training camp has been going as planned,” Lubin said. “It’s just hard work and dedication day after day. Coach Cunningham and I are working great together. Everyone knows that he’s a no-nonsense type of trainer, so that mindset is contagious.

“I’ve done everything that’s been demanded of me so far in training. I’m in great shape and will be ready to go into deep waters if the fight goes the distance.”

And he understands what’s at stake.

“This is a title eliminator, so everything is on the line for me,” he said. “I have to bring the heat from the opening bell.”

Gausha was scheduled to face Lubin earlier but pulled out with a hand injury and was replaced by Gallimore.

The former amateur star, now 33, is arguably in a must-win situation. He’s only 1-1-1 in his last three fights – a loss to then-champion Erislandy Lara, a victory over Joey Hernandez and a draw with Austin Trout – and fighting to remain at the elite level.

He says the hand is healed and he’s confident.

Terrell Gausha (right) is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, including a loss to Erislandy Lara (left). AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

“This fight is a chance to send a message to all the other fighters at 154 pounds,” Gausha said. “I want to control every round against Lubin, and if I get him hurt, I’ll be looking to get him out of there. I’m planning to show the gap between us as fighters.

“He was the one to call for this fight, but anyone who plays with my name, I make sure to send for them.”

Gausha recognizes Lubin’s progress under Cunningham but implied that he’s a better fighter than Gallimore.

“Since Lubin’s loss, I know he switched trainers and I think he’s taking more time and fighting smarter now,” Gausha said. “I wouldn’t say it was disappointing watching Lubin fight Gallimore, but I definitely think things would have gone differently for him if he had been fighting me.

“September 19 is going to be a great test for me. Lubin is a young elite fighter, with his only loss coming against a world champion. Taking care of Lubin is going to show everyone that I’m ready for another title shot.”

What about his recent disappointments? Learning experiences.

“I think I’m a lot more poised these days,” Gausha said. “In the Trout fight, I pressed the fight in the beginning. I did some different things, and I showed that I can use my footwork. Lara was my first test with an elite southpaw, and then I had Trout in my last fight.

“So I’m even more prepared for Lubin after those fights. I’m just more relaxed in there and sure of myself.”

 

Erickson Lubin vs. Terrell Gausha: ‘Everything is on the line’

Erickson Lubin hopes to maintain his recent momentum when he fights Terrell Gausha in a title eliminator on Saturday.

Erickson Lubin takes the next step in his resurgence as a legitimate junior middleweight contender on Saturday.

Lubin (22-1, 16 KOs) is scheduled to face former U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (21-1-1, 10 KOs) in a title eliminator in Uncasville, Conn., on Showtime, which will place the winner in line to challenge whomever wins the Sept. 26 Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario title-unification fight.

Lubin, only 24, has won four consecutive fights since Charlo stopped him in one round in 2017. He wants to maintain his recent momentum and do it in style.

“I respect him as a fighter, but I don’t think Gausha is on my level,” Lubin said. “He’s standing in my way of becoming a world champion, so I need to take care of business Saturday night and look good doing it.

“I have to make a statement in this fight.”

One reason for Lubin’s recent success is veteran trainer Kevin Cunningham, who was brought in after the loss to Charlo.

Erickson Lubin faces has had his hand raised in every fight except one, a first-round knockout loss to Jermell Charlo. Sarah Crabill / Getty Images

Cunningham has been in his corner during all four victories, over Silverio Ortiz (KO 4), Ishe Smith (KO 3), Zakaria Attou (KO 4) and Nathaniel Gallimore (UD) in his most-recent fight, in October.

Cunningham obviously has Lubin back on track.

“We’re out here in West Palm Beach, Fla. and training camp has been going as planned,” Lubin said. “It’s just hard work and dedication day after day. Coach Cunningham and I are working great together. Everyone knows that he’s a no-nonsense type of trainer, so that mindset is contagious.

“I’ve done everything that’s been demanded of me so far in training. I’m in great shape and will be ready to go into deep waters if the fight goes the distance.”

And he understands what’s at stake.

“This is a title eliminator, so everything is on the line for me,” he said. “I have to bring the heat from the opening bell.”

Gausha was scheduled to face Lubin earlier but pulled out with a hand injury and was replaced by Gallimore.

The former amateur star, now 33, is arguably in a must-win situation. He’s only 1-1-1 in his last three fights – a loss to then-champion Erislandy Lara, a victory over Joey Hernandez and a draw with Austin Trout – and fighting to remain at the elite level.

He says the hand is healed and he’s confident.

Terrell Gausha (right) is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, including a loss to Erislandy Lara (left). AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

“This fight is a chance to send a message to all the other fighters at 154 pounds,” Gausha said. “I want to control every round against Lubin, and if I get him hurt, I’ll be looking to get him out of there. I’m planning to show the gap between us as fighters.

“He was the one to call for this fight, but anyone who plays with my name, I make sure to send for them.”

Gausha recognizes Lubin’s progress under Cunningham but implied that he’s a better fighter than Gallimore.

“Since Lubin’s loss, I know he switched trainers and I think he’s taking more time and fighting smarter now,” Gausha said. “I wouldn’t say it was disappointing watching Lubin fight Gallimore, but I definitely think things would have gone differently for him if he had been fighting me.

“September 19 is going to be a great test for me. Lubin is a young elite fighter, with his only loss coming against a world champion. Taking care of Lubin is going to show everyone that I’m ready for another title shot.”

What about his recent disappointments? Learning experiences.

“I think I’m a lot more poised these days,” Gausha said. “In the Trout fight, I pressed the fight in the beginning. I did some different things, and I showed that I can use my footwork. Lara was my first test with an elite southpaw, and then I had Trout in my last fight.

“So I’m even more prepared for Lubin after those fights. I’m just more relaxed in there and sure of myself.”

 

Fight Week: Lubin vs. Gausha, Pedraza vs. Molina do-or-die matchups

Junior middleweight contender Erickson Lubin hopes to maintain his hot streak against Terrell Gausha on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

A capsulized look at the coming week in boxing.

ERICKSON LUBIN (22-1, 16 KOs)
VS. TERRELL GAUSHA (21-1-1, 10 KOs)

Terrell Gausha (right) is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, including a loss to Erislandy Lara (left). AP Photo / Steve Luciano

When: Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No titles
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Tugstsogt Nyambayar vs. Eduardo Ramirez, featherweights; Jaron Ennis vs. Juan Carlos Abreu, welterweights
Prediction: Lubin UD
Background: The talented Lubin stumbled badly when he was stopped by Jermell Charlo in the first round in October 2017. However, he has won four consecutive fights since — including victories over Ishe Smith and Nathaniel Gallimore — to rebuild his status as a welterweight contender. He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBC, whose titleholder is Charlo, and No. 4 by the WBA. Charlo faces Jeison Rosario in a title-unification fought a week after Lubin faces Gausha. Gausha was scheduled to fight Lubin on Oct. 26 but had to pull out because of a hand injury. The hand has healed. The capable 2012 U.S. Olympian is hoping to stay in the championship mix. He’s 1-1-1 in his last three fights, a unanimous, but competitive decision loss to Erislandy Lara, a first-round KO of Joey Hernandez and a split draw with Austin Trout in May of last year. He will have been out of the ring for 16 months.

JOSE PEDRAZA (27-3, 13 KOs)
VS. JAVIER MOLINA (22-2, 9 KOs)

Jose Pedraza celebrated after his one-sided victory over Mikkel LesPierre on July 2. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

When: Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN+
Division: Junior welterweight
At stake: No titles
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Efe Ajagba vs. Jonnie Rice, heavyweights
Prediction: Molina UD
Background: Both fighters recently reestablished their credentials as potential contenders. Pedraza bounced back from decision losses to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jose Zepeda in 2018 and last year by dominating capable Mikkel LesPierre en route to winning a near-shutout decision in July. The Puerto Rican looked like the two-division titleholder of old. Molina, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, returned in 2018 from a 2½-year hiatus after a loss to Jamal James and has won five in a row, including an impressive unanimous-decision upset of former title older Amir Imam on Feb. 22 which resurrected hopes that he might realize his potential after turning 30. The winner could step into the sanctioning-body rankings. The loser could be in trouble.

Fight Week: Lubin vs. Gausha, Pedraza vs. Molina do-or-die matchups

Junior middleweight contender Erickson Lubin hopes to maintain his hot streak against Terrell Gausha on Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

A capsulized look at the coming week in boxing.

ERICKSON LUBIN (22-1, 16 KOs)
VS. TERRELL GAUSHA (21-1-1, 10 KOs)

Terrell Gausha (right) is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, including a loss to Erislandy Lara (left). AP Photo / Steve Luciano

When: Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No titles
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Tugstsogt Nyambayar vs. Eduardo Ramirez, featherweights; Jaron Ennis vs. Juan Carlos Abreu, welterweights
Prediction: Lubin UD
Background: The talented Lubin stumbled badly when he was stopped by Jermell Charlo in the first round in October 2017. However, he has won four consecutive fights since — including victories over Ishe Smith and Nathaniel Gallimore — to rebuild his status as a welterweight contender. He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBC, whose titleholder is Charlo, and No. 4 by the WBA. Charlo faces Jeison Rosario in a title-unification fought a week after Lubin faces Gausha. Gausha was scheduled to fight Lubin on Oct. 26 but had to pull out because of a hand injury. The hand has healed. The capable 2012 U.S. Olympian is hoping to stay in the championship mix. He’s 1-1-1 in his last three fights, a unanimous, but competitive decision loss to Erislandy Lara, a first-round KO of Joey Hernandez and a split draw with Austin Trout in May of last year. He will have been out of the ring for 16 months.

JOSE PEDRAZA (27-3, 13 KOs)
VS. JAVIER MOLINA (22-2, 9 KOs)

Jose Pedraza celebrated after his one-sided victory over Mikkel LesPierre on July 2. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

When: Saturday, Sept. 19
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN+
Division: Junior welterweight
At stake: No titles
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Efe Ajagba vs. Jonnie Rice, heavyweights
Prediction: Molina UD
Background: Both fighters recently reestablished their credentials as potential contenders. Pedraza bounced back from decision losses to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jose Zepeda in 2018 and last year by dominating capable Mikkel LesPierre en route to winning a near-shutout decision in July. The Puerto Rican looked like the two-division titleholder of old. Molina, a 2008 U.S. Olympian, returned in 2018 from a 2½-year hiatus after a loss to Jamal James and has won five in a row, including an impressive unanimous-decision upset of former title older Amir Imam on Feb. 22 which resurrected hopes that he might realize his potential after turning 30. The winner could step into the sanctioning-body rankings. The loser could be in trouble.