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.
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.
“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.”