Erickson Lubin ready for hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore

Boxing is a sport of moments. In the blink of an eye, the gameplan could be thrown out, and an audible is called.

For junior middleweight Erickson Lubin, that is precisely what has taken place.

Lubin had been training to face a slick boxer in fellow former world title challenger Terrell Gausha in a 12-round world title elimination bout on Saturday in the main event of a tripleheader (Showtime) at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

However, Gausha suffered a hand injury and withdrew from the bout. Then Lubin had to switch gears to get ready to fight a ferocious power puncher in Nathaniel Gallimore.

For Lubin, the transition has not been difficult.

"We worked on everything. It doesn't matter who comes to the ring Saturday night. We're definitely ready for anything," Lubin said at the final pre-fight news conference on Thursday. "Gallimore comes to fight. He's a bigger puncher than Terrell Gausha, and he takes risks. We're prepared for everything. It's my time for sure on Saturday.

"Gallimore is a power puncher, and he relies on that throughout a fight. He's going to try to land the big shots. We're going to capitalize on the risks he takes. We're prepared for it all. We're the total package. Working with coach Cunningham has taken my game to a whole new level. You're going to see something special on Saturday night."

Lubin (21-1, 16 KO's), a 24-year-old southpaw born and raised in Orlando, Florida, has won two bouts in a row since suffering a first-round knockout against former belt holder Jermell Charlo in October 2017.

"My plan is not to just take over the division. My plan is to take over boxing, and it starts Saturday," Lubin said. "I can't wait to put on a great performance for everyone to watch. I'm hungry, dedicated, and I'm going to be at my best Saturday night. Gallimore is a stepping stone, and he's in my way. I'm going to crush him. I believe I can stop Gallimore."

Gallimore (21-3-1, 17 KOs), 31, a Jamaica native who is based in Chicago, was winless in 2018. However, he fought solid competition -- Julian Williams, who went on to beat Jarrett Hurd to unify two belts, and an eight-round decision to Patrick Teixeira. Gallimore won an eight-round split decision against unknown Antonio Todd in August.

"I've been training hard way before this fight. I knew this opportunity would present itself to me," he said. "Saturday night, you're not going to want to miss this legendary performance.

"Lubin should be expecting everything. I'm not a one-dimensional fighter. They can see my fights on tape, but when it comes to Saturday, I'm going to give everyone a memorable night. I have more dimensions to my game than what he thinks. He's only seen one side of me. I will show them the whole package. I can absolutely see myself stopping Lubin."

In the 10-round chief support fight, former lightweight world titlist Robert Easter Jr. (21-1-1, 14 KO's), 28, of Toledo, Ohio, is moving up to 140 pounds to square off against Adrian Granados (20-7-2, 14 KO's), 30, of Chicago.