Rising star Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (14-0, 10 KOs) defeated Mexican brawler Jose De Jesus Macias (18-5-2, 9 KOs) in his first main event Sunday night on Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV from a sold out Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee in Immokalee, Florida.
Lubin, of Orlando, showed superior skills by using his quick hands and combination punching to offset Macias’ come-forward style. In round five, Lubin scored a knockdown when he landed a cuffing right hook that forced Macias to touch the canvas with his glove.
The fast rising 20-year-old landed the harder blows and was looking to stop his opponent inside the distance. Macias continued to fight aggressively throughout the contest and he was able to survive and push Lubin to 10-rounds for the first time in his career.
Lubin remained perfect as a professional by scores of 99-90 and 100-89 twice.
In a battle of southpaw welterweights, Florida’s Joseph Elegele (15-3, 11 KOs) stopped Alex De Jesus (21-1, 13 KOs) in the sixth round of their scheduled eight-round affair.
Elegele brought the pressure early, hurting De Jesus with an overhand left in round two before he put his opponent on the canvas in round three with a brilliant combination on the ropes. The knockdown came at the end of the round and clearly dazed De Jesus, who walked to the wrong corner after the bell.
A hard left hand punctuated another combination that closed the show for Elegele in round six. The fight was called off by referee James Warring 56 seconds into the round. De Jesus was taken to North Collier Hospital after the fight as a precaution.
In the opening bout, featherweight prospect Dennis Galarza (12-1, 8 KOs) cruised to a unanimous decision over Ghana’s Samual Amaoko (21-6, 15 KOs) in their eight-round bout.
Galarza outclassed Amaoko in every facet, winning each round on his way to his seventh straight win. The more active and accurate fighter, Galarza was rewarded with scores of 80-72 on all three judges’ scorecards.
Here is what the fighters had, to say Sunday night:
ERICKSON LUBIN
“He was a very awkward fighter with a herky -jerky style. He took a lot of blows and a lot of good blows. In the end, I was able to come out with the victory.
“He was tougher than I thought. It was a little different than most of my fights, but it’s a good experience. I’m happy to get 10 rounds in.
“I just want to keep moving on from here and moving forward. I want to move up the ladder.”
JOSE DE JESUS MACIAS
“He was a strong fighter, and he moved very well. I was able to handle everything he had, and I thought I was in the fight.
“He has a lot of power. He’s not the best guy I’ve faced, but he did enough to get the win tonight.”
JOSEPH ELEGELE
“I felt good out there. I did my thing. I told everybody that I was going to stop this guy, and that’s what I did.
“I doubled my left hand, and I knew I hurt him. He couldn’t take any more shots, so I finished him.
“I want to fight someone in the top 15. I want to compete with the best. It’s my time.”
DENNIS GALARZA
“My opponent was very tough. We fought eight hard rounds with a veteran.
“I wanted to get him out of there, but we stayed patient and stuck to the game plan. I’m getting better every time out there.
“It’s my second time going eight rounds, and soon I’ll be ready for ten rounds anyone that wants to get in there with me.
SAMUEL AMAOKO
“I went out and gave it my all. I thought it was closer and that I was landing some shots with more power.
“He is a very good fighter, but I fought well and tried to get the win.”