All photos by Stephanie Trapp/Showtime
All true boxing fans have been clamoring about the matchup between Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (30-0, 15 KOs) and Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (18-1, 13 KOs) and on October 14, our wish was granted.
This fight could’ve gone a hundred different ways, but it’s safe to say nobody could’ve predicted what came about in the first round.
What began to look like a chess match between two of the best Junior Middleweights in the world, quickly took a drastic turn of events. The Houston native made fans in the arena and at home, drops their jaws in disbelief as he KO’d the 22-year-old contender from Orlando with a right uppercut.
Boom. First round knockout. @TwinCharlo stops @EricksonHammerL early. #CharloLubin pic.twitter.com/LZtarw7uKv
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) October 15, 2017
Lubin’s body curled as he lay on the canvas with minimal movement. It wasn’t until late in the count that he attempted with the little body function he had, to try and raise himself from the canvas.
By that time, it was too late and Charlo had made good on his word to teach the up-and-coming fighter a lesson.
“They kept putting cameras on this kid and giving him all this attention,” said an animated Charlo. “I stayed quiet, cool and chilling. They said they were gonna take my title and I defended it.”
In many cases, this could be a blessing in disguise for the young Lubin. At only 22, he stepped into the ring with arguably the toughest fighter at 154 and maybe bit off more than he could chew.
“He caught me a blind shot,” said a disappointed Lubin. “This is boxing. I’m just going to stay hungry and keep doing what I’m doing.”
Charlo’s stock continues to climb in the stacked Junior Middleweight division and he has plenty of options. The fight that he seems to be eyeing is a matchup with IBF titleholder “Swift” Jarrett Hurd (21-0, 15 KOs).
“Give me Hurd, that’s what I want. I want Hurd next. Give me his title,” said Charlo. Hurd made a successful defense of his title on the same night and made an argument for FOTY as well.
Charlo-Hurd would be yet another great matchup that many fans would drool over if made. Hurd continues to want to prove to critics and fans that he’s a force in the division, while Charlo fights every fight with a chip on his shoulder. One can only hope that this fight is made sooner, rather than later.
