Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Erickson Lubin: Protect IBF title at work for Fall Showdown

IBF’s junior mid -weight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev is discussing a battle against her compulsory challenger, Erickson Lubin, later this year.

Lance Pugmire report Initially, Murtazaliev planned for an exception to defer Lubin’s title defense (27-2, 19 KOS) to face Josh Kelly, but it was not possible. It is better for us fans that the fighting does not happen, as there would be little interest in conflict between Murtazaliev and Kelly. It would be considered a mismatch for Bakhram.

Lubin’s title chasing

Lubin, 29, has been pressing for the title battle of the Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 kos) since beating Ardreal Holmes JR out on May 10th. He has been vocal for wanting his well -deserved title shot against the IBF champion, and now it looks like it will happen.

Murtazaliev’s promoter, Kathy Duva, also wanted to fight WBC’s 154-weight champion, Vergil Ortiz Jr. Turki Turki Alalshikh, tried the fighting. Ortiz JR did not want to take it due to the rule of rehydration date of the IBF’s 10 lbs. It would have been a problem for him. Interestingly, Vergil Jr. moved up to 154 in 2024. It has not seemed to have been fighting in the Mid -Junior Weight Department for years. Just arrived a year ago.

Lubin has won his last three contests since being stopped in the ninth round by Sebastian Fundora in 2022. That fighting was war with Erickson down in Round 3, Fundora hitting the canvas in the seventh, and the referee stopping the fight after the ninth round at the request of Lubin’s coach.

Erickson suffered from poor face swelling and was beaten too much to be allowed to continue. The defeat of Lubin’s other career came against Jermell Charlo when he was cast out in the first round on October 14, 2017.

Bakhram looked like a beast in his last match, beating former 154-punch champion Tim Tszyu in the third round on October 19, 2024. Murtazaliev Tszyu dropped three times in the second round and once in the third.