By: Sean Crose
On the surface, it resembles David and Goliath. Weightlifter Erickson Lubin was just under 5’10 – common for 154 pounds. However, his opponent this Saturday night at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas, stands near 6’6. That’s right, Sebastian Fondura 18-0-1 is almost a foot taller than Lubin 24-1. In fact, Fondura was the height of a heavier person than an average person. Still, there’s a lot for each of them this weekend as they battle it out in front of the Showtime cameras.
Lubin had a perfect save record for a single loss to Jermell Charlo he suffered in the first round of their 2017 game. Since that time, however, the Orlando team have won six in a row. All of this makes Saturday’s meeting with Fondura essential to Lubin’s career. If he wins, the boxer known as the Hammer will place himself on the mixed list.
For Fondura, this is a huge opportunity for him to prove that he’s also ready to take on the likes of Charlo, Brian Castano and others. Fondura’s last game was UD’s win over Sergio Garcia in December, while Lubin was last seen knocking out Jeison Rosario on June 6 of last year. The Lubin-Fondura battle will be for the WBC interim super heavyweight belt.
Tony Harrison will also be on this card when middleweight 28-3-1 faces Sergio Garcia 33-1 in the scheduled 10th round. The last time Harrison entered the ring was nearly a year ago, when he fought Bryan Perrella with a draw. Garcia’s last game was a loss to UD at the gloved hands of Fondura last December. His bout with Harrison this weekend will earn him the WBC super heavyweight silver belt.
Finally, Saturday’s TV card will begin with a 14-0 scoreline Kevin Salgado takes on the aforementioned Perrella in a scheduled 10th round youth middleweight bout. The 24-year-old Salgado is looking to continue with his wins while Perrella 17-3-1 is hoping to impress after battling Harrison for a draw. Salgado’s last game was UD’s win over Ricardo Cernas in October.
The Erickson Lubin-Sebastian Fondura Card will be broadcast live on Showtime Saturday starting at 10pm ET.
