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Terrell Gausha: "I Want To Control Every
Round Against Lubin...I'm
Planning To
Show The Gap Between Us As Fighters"
Top super welterweight contender Terrell Gausha believes
that his WBC Super Welterweight title eliminator showdown
against Erickson “Hammer” Lubin gives him an opportunity to
solidify his spot in the stacked 154-pound division as they
headline live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, September 19 in an
event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
“This fight is a chance to send a message to all the other
fighters at 154 pounds,” said Gausha. “I want to control
every round against Lubin, and if I get him hurt, I’ll be
looking to get him out of there. I’m planning to show the
gap between us as fighters. He was the one to call for this
fight, but anyone who plays with my name, I make sure to
send for them.”
Gausha has trained with coach Manny Robles in Los Angeles,
with minimal disruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In
addition, the extra time off has allowed extra healing time
for the hand injury that forced him to withdraw from a
previously scheduled fight against Lubin last year.
“Before the pandemic, we trained as a team with in-house
sparring, but now it’s just slightly more restricted,” said
Gausha. “Now it’s usually just me, my coach and then
whatever sparring partner we bring in for that day. Normally
I’d go to LA Fitness for some night training and treadmill
work, but now we’re working out in the park and doing my
running outside.
“My hand has totally healed,” added Gausha. “I’m ready to go
full-throttle and I have no problems there anymore. The
pandemic actually helped the healing process because I
wasn’t using my hands as much. So I’m definitely 100% now.”
Lubin presents a chance for Gausha to score a signature
victory on his road to a second world title fight. While he
didn’t harbor any frustration in having to pull out of the
original fight against Lubin, he made sure to watch his
fight against Nathaniel Gallimore closely, noting his
September 19 opponent’s improvements.
“Since Lubin’s loss, I know he switched trainers and I think
he’s taking more time and fighting smarter now,” said Gausha.
“I wouldn’t say it was disappointing watching Lubin fight
Gallimore, but I definitely think things would have gone
differently for him if he had been fighting me.
“September 19 is going to be a great test for me. Lubin is a
young elite fighter, with his only loss coming against a
world champion. Taking care of Lubin is going to show
everyone that I’m ready for another title shot.”
Gausha bounced back from his only career loss, a decision to
then WBA 154-pound champion Erislandy Lara in 2018, by
knocking out Joey Hernandez in the first-round of their
December 2018 clash. Most recently, Gausha fought to a
split-draw against former champion Austin Trout in May 2019.
With the experience against veteran southpaws in Lara and
Trout, Gausha believes he is primed going into a showdown
against another lefty in Lubin.
“I think I’m a lot more poised these days,” said Gausha. “In
the Trout fight, I pressed the fight in the beginning. I did
some different things, and I showed that I can use my
footwork. Lara was my first test with an elite southpaw, and
then I had Trout in my last fight. So I’m even more prepared
for Lubin after those fights. I’m just more relaxed in there
and sure of myself.”
With the WBC title eliminator, Gausha could put himself in
line for the title currently held by Jermell Charlo, which
could end up being a fight for three belts against the
winner of the September 26 unification showdown between
Charlo and WBA and IBF 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario. No
matter who emerges from the Charlo vs. Rosario battle,
Gausha believes he stacks up well against both of their
styles.
“I think the winner of Charlo vs. Rosario would be perfect
for me,” said Gausha. “I think I’d match up well with either
one of them. They both like to stay busy in the ring, and I
like my chances against that type of fighter.”
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