Super Welterweight Boxing Takes center stage in Brooklyn – Three world title fights in the 154 pound super welterweight division are on tap this Saturday night for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fights are set to air on Showtime as part of the Premier Boxing Champions broadcast, so check local listings for start times.
At the books, the most competitive fight of the evening sees WBC world titleholder Jermell Charlo (29-0) takes on Erickson Lubin (18-0). Lubin is the undefeated 23 year old who is stepping into his first world title shot with a lot of hype behind him. Lubin was America’s best hope for a 2016 Olympic gold medal but he turned pro ahead of schedule and did not compete. As a pro he has been guided for this very moment – a world title shot.
Lubin has a very tall order in front of him in the form of Jermell Charlo. Charlo is making the second defense of his belt and at 27 years old he is just coming into his own. His twin brother Jermall vacated his titles and moved up to the middleweight division so this is Jermall’s chance to shine on his own. Charlo is just entering his prime while Lubin still has more room to grow so it will be interesting to see who keeps his undefeated record after Saturday.
IBF world champion Jarrett Hurd (20-0) faces the challenge of the experienced Austin Trout (30-3) in what is Hurd’s first title defense. Hurd is going to come in the favorite largely because Trout has been off since his May of 2016 loss to Jermall Charlo, but Trout should be considered a live underdog. In taking Charlo the distance the former world champion Trout showed he still had a lot left in the tank and the fact is that Hurd has no one on his resume anywhere near as battle hardened as Trout. A focused Trout is a handful for anybody and “No Doubt” Trout appears to be aware that this may be his final shot at a world title.
Finally, the least competitive of the title bouts is also being called the “main event” s WBA super world champion Erislandy Lara (24-2-2) takes on undefeated Terrell Gaush (20-0). Lara is now in his mid-thirties and his window of opportunity for a big money fight appears to be closing. Gausha is a little known fighter with a long amateur background and a solid team behind him. Unfortunately, counting on savvy earned in the amateur ranks against Lara is likely not enough, as Lara boasts a massive amateur background representing Cuba. Lara will likely hold off Gausha and move on to a unification bout against one of the other champions. His performance on Saturday will dictate whether he is the “A” side or the “B” side in future negotiations so he will need to come out of his shell against Gausha.
Below are the current odds for the three world title fights set for Saturday. Check back closer to fight time for changes and more odds from the big night of fights at the Barclays Center.
Barclays Center – Brooklyn, New York – Showtime
Super Welterweight 12 rounds –
Austin Trout +170
Jarrett Hurd -230
Super Welterweight 12 rounds –
Erickson Lubin +125
Jermell Charlo -165
Super Welterweight 12 rounds –
Terrel Gausha +660
Erislandy Lara -1380
Super Welterweight Boxing Takes center stage in Brooklyn / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science, where the best boxing writers write.
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