Former world title challenger Erickson ‘Hammer’ Lubin 25-2 (18) believes he will be too experienced for opponent Jesus Ramos Jr 20-0 (16) when they meet in a junior middleweight 12-rounder when they meet on the undercard of the undisputed super middleweight clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 59-2-2 (39) and Jermell Charlo 35-1-1 (19) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 30.
The 27-year-old southpaw from Kissimmee, Florida rebounded from his ninth-round knockout loss to Sebastian Fundora 20-1-1 (13) in April last year with a fifth-round knockout of Luis Arias 20-4-1 (9) in June to get back in the win column.
Lubin wants to keep that momentum going against Ramos, a 22-year-old lefty from Casa Grande, Arizona, who is coming in hot after knocking out previously undefeated Joey Spencer 16-1 (10) in March.
“The mindset hasn’t changed for me. I still have a chip on my shoulder. I’m going into this fight very hungry,” Lubin said.
“I have a young, hungry kid in front of me, but I’m young and hungry as well. You can expect fireworks on September 30. I’m looking to win and be in the big fights against the best guys in the division.
“I’m fueled by adversity. My first title challenge against [Jermell] Charlo brought me back to working real hard and eventually winning six fights in a row. I was winning the fight against Sebastian Fundora and losing fueled me to go back to the drawing board and work even harder.
“Ramos is a real solid fighter. I watched his last fight and I thought he looked good. But I’m not Joey Spencer. I’m one of those top guys in the division. I’m the cream of the crop and I’m here to prove myself. I want the toughest test every time out.
“I’ve asked for this fight even before he fought Joey Spencer. Now we have the platform and we’re here. It’s gonna be fireworks on September 30.
“This win solidifies that I belong at the top. It shows that I need a title shot. The winner of this fight will definitely get a big fight.
“The Luis Arias fight was a good comeback fight. I knew that with the way we trained, I was gonna dominate. That was eight weeks ago and now I’m happy we have only a few weeks to go for this one. I’m coming for another statement win.
“I’m definitely not downplaying Ramos, but I was 22-years-old like him and I took a step up in competition against a 27-year-old and fell short. I think history repeats itself, but in my favour.
“I’m looking for a one-sided ass-whooping. I want to go in there and come out with the victory, untouched.”
The winner of this bout will position themselves for a shot at the world title at 154-pounds.
