Fight fans rejoice, we have a great matchup to look forward to at some point in the near future. Emerging star and WBC junior middleweight titlist Jermell Charlo has been mandated to fight one of the sport’s top prospect in 21 year old Erickson Lubin. This is a really great fight that could potentially headline a Showtime card. If not, it is an extremely strong co-feature.
Jermell Charlo (29-0, 14 KOs) has found some midcareer power as he has won his last three fights, including his title win and first defense, all by knockout. Most recently he is coming off a pretty spectacular and quite dominant performance over previously mandated challenger Charles Hatley just a couple weeks ago.
Erickson Lubin (18-0, 13 KOs) represents the highest level of prospect in the sport. Absolutely everyone sees him as a blue chip fighter. At the same time, however, Charlo would represent a massive step up from Lubin’s most recent opponent in Mexico’s Jorge Cota who Lubin stopped in March.
Don’t get too excited yet, however. Charlo, having just defended, will likely be granted an optional defense should he ask for it. The WBC also allows its champions to pay challengers step aside money to further delay fights if both sides accept. There is no guarantee that through Charlo is the path that PBC’s Al Haymon will even want to take Lubin down. He may see a better avenue in a completely different direction. Maybe Haymon’s play will just be to hold the mandatory spot, but delay the fight long enough for Lubin to get a few more fights under his belt. Time will tell.
