Lubin to Ramos: ‘I’m not Joey Spencer’

In 2017, 154-pound contender Erickson Lubin, at the age of 22, was an up-and-coming fighter and had an opportunity to win his first world title when he battled then-WBC 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo.

However, things ended very early as Lubin was knocked out with one punch in Round 1.

After that fight, Lubin(25-2, 18 KOs) made some changes and eventually hired trainer Kevin Cunningham. From there, he won six straight fights before getting stopped by Sebastian Fundora in 2022.

Lubin returned to his winning ways in June when he stopped Luis Arias.

On September 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Lubin battles the undefeated Jesus Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) in the co-main event on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo’s 168-pound undisputed clash. 

The 27-year-old believes his losses to Charlo and Fundora have helped him work harder.

“I’m fueled by adversity,” Lubin said at a press conference on Tuesday. “My first title challenge against 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.”

“The mindset hasn’t changed for me. I still have a chip on my shoulder. I’m going into this fight very hungry. 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.”

Lubin has high praise for Ramos, who is coming off a stoppage win over Joey Spencer in March, but according to Lubin, he’s not Spencer.

“Ramos is a real solid fighter,” Lubin said. “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…

“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.”

Interestingly enough, Ramos is the same age as Lubin(22) when the Florida native fought Charlo, who was Lubin’s current age of 27. We know what happened in that fight.

On September 30, Lubin says history repeats itself.

“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,” Lubin said. “I think history repeats itself, but in my favor.

“I’m looking for a one-sided ass-whooping. I want to go in there and come out with the victory, untouched.”