Three 154lb world champions were in action on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It can safely be said that WBC super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo stole the show.
Charlo (30-0, 15 KOs) annihilated previously unbeaten Erickson Lubin (18-1, 13 KOs) in the first round. A Charlo right hand laid out Lubin at 2:41.
WBA super welterweight champion Erislandy Lara (24-2-2, 14 KOs) outclassed previously unbeaten Terrell Gausha (20-1, 9 KOs) over twelve one-sided rounds. Lara dropped Gausha in round four while cruising to a 116-111, 117-110, 117-110 win that was never in doubt.
IBF junior middleweight champion Jarrett Hurd (21-0, 15 KOs) scored a hard fought tenth round TKO over Austin Trout (30-4, 17 KOs). The ring doctor halted the bout at the end of round ten. At the time of the stoppage, Hurd was ahead 96-94, 96-94, 97-93. Hurd overcame a cut over his left eye from a headbutt in round seven.
Erislandy Lara: “We want to give a lot of credit to Gausha. He’s an Olympian and he came to fight. I take the rhythm of the boxing match and that’s when I take over. He’s fighting with the best in the division. He’s not a stupid fighter, but he knew who he was facing today. I’m ready to box anyone that comes my way. I’m the best boxer at 154 pounds and I won’t shy away from anyone that wants to fight me. I’ll box whoever, just line them up. I’m not afraid. I have proven that I’m a true champion. I’ll fight (Jermell) Charlo if I have to. We are friends, but business is business.”
Jermell Charlo: “They were giving him a lot of attention. I was quiet the whole time. They said they were going to come take my title. I had to defend it. They didn’t know what I was brining into this and I think (Lubin) was worried about the wrong things. We’re going to unify. The other champions want to fight me and I’ll take any of them. Give me another title. I want Hurd. Hurd just won. Give me Hurd.”
Jarrett Hurd: “We knew we were going to wear Austin Trout down in the later rounds and eventually stop him. My cut made me a little better with my head movement. I’m always a slow starter. Trout was good in the beginning, but I showed that it’s tough trying to go the distance with Jarrett Hurd. The cut over my left eye came early in the seventh round from an accidental head butt, but I feel like that actually helped force me to move my head better. Team Swift, we don’t run from anyone. I’m ready to unify. 2018 is the year for unifications. It doesn’t matter who it is. I’m ready to fight anyone.”
Photos: Emily Harney
