As the world of boxing continues to churn out electrifying matchups, perhaps none are as intriguing as the forthcoming duel between Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin and Jesus Ramos. Slated for September 30th, this bout will serve as the co-feature fight on the highly-anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo card. Taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and broadcast on Showtime PPV, this is a contest that is generating significant buzz within the boxing community.
Erickson Lubin, the 27-year-old veteran with a record of 25-2 and 18 KOs, is looking at this bout as a pivotal moment in his career. Last year, he suffered a ninth-round stoppage loss to the formidable Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora. With the setback fresh in his memory, Lubin is keen to pivot his trajectory and fast-track his way to another title opportunity.
Speaking to Fighthype, Lubin reflected on the symmetry between his upcoming fight and his previous bout with Jermell Charlo in 2017, stating, “I feel like the tables are turned now. Charlo was 27-years-old when I fought him, and I was 22. Now, I’m 27-years-old, and he [Jesus Ramos] is 22. I’m looking to show him that he’s taking a step up a little too early.” At the time of his fight against Charlo, Lubin was a young contender not fully prepared for a high-level adversary. He was stopped in the first round, a loss that became a formative experience.
Lubin’s focus is now set on Jesus Ramos, a 22-year-old upstart boasting an undefeated record of 20-0, with 16 of those wins coming via knockout. Ramos represents not just a challenge but also an avenue for Lubin to secure a rematch with Charlo, who is reportedly planning to defend his titles in the 154-lb division. For Lubin, beating a competitor of Ramos’s calibre would significantly strengthen his case for a title shot.
The question that begs an answer is whether Jesus Ramos is stepping up too soon in taking on an experienced fighter like Lubin. “Definitely not,” Lubin responded when asked if Ramos is at the same level that Jermell Charlo was back in 2017. He continued, “Jermell was experienced. He was 30-0 when I fought him. He’s experienced, he packs a punch, and he has a good IQ. I don’t think Ramos has that IQ yet. I think that’s going to be a little advantage for myself.”
However, Ramos is not a competitor to be taken lightly. His knockout power was clearly demonstrated in his last fight against Joey Spencer, which he won decisively. Furthermore, Ramos’s capabilities appear to have surpassed what Charlo presented back in 2017, a year in which Charlo struggled against fighters like Gabriel Rosado and Vanes Martirosyan. According to Lubin, “His IQ isn’t there. He’s tough, he’s strong, he’s powerful, he comes to fight, but in that boxing ring, every round, you’ve got to be thinking every second.”
As part of Lubin’s strategy, making Ramos miss shots will be crucial. “Just making him miss shots, hitting him with shots, hitting him and hitting him,” Lubin elaborated on how he plans to test Ramos’ boxing IQ. It’s a strategy aimed at tiring out and outsmarting a fighter who does not stop punching. Lubin acknowledges that the only way to win this fight is to out-brawl the younger, seemingly unstoppable Ramos.
Beyond the Lubin-Ramos bout, the undercard for the evening promises a compelling lineup. Yordenis Ugas and Mario Barrios will compete for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title, while emerging middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz are set to go head-to-head in a 10-round contest. Ugas, eager for redemption following a loss in April 2022, had previously successfully defended his WBA belt against Manny Pacquiao. Mario Barrios, on the other hand, is coming off a knockout victory against Jovanie Santiago and is known for his aggressive style.
The September 30th pay-per-view event offers an abundance of talent and narrative threads, each as captivating as the last. The co-feature fight between Lubin and Ramos is particularly emblematic of the broader dynamics at play within the boxing world—a clash of experience against youthful exuberance, a faceoff between brute force and strategic nuance. With the fight kicking off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, boxing aficionados would do well to mark their calendars for what promises to be an unmissable spectacle.