Erickson Lubin doesn’t consider Bakhram Murtazaliev a ferocious fighter everyone in their division should avoid.

Murtazaliev’s third-round stoppage of Tim Tszyu on Oct. 17 has changed the boxing public’s perception of the unbeaten Russian. Lubin watched from a ringside seat that night as Murtazaliev demolished the heavily favored Tszyu at Caribe Royale Orlando.

While he was impressed by Murtazaliev’s performance, Lubin believes it was more reflective of Tszyu than the IBF junior middleweight champion. That’s why Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs) hopes a victory over Ardreal Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs) in their IBF 154-pound elimination match Saturday night leads to a shot at Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs), who has had difficulty securing his first title defense during the almost seven months since he upset Tszyu.

“Bakhram Murtazaliev, I would love to fight him,” Lubin told The Ring. “They’re trying to call him the boogeyman because of what he did to Tim Tszyu. But Tim Tszyu, he ain’t Hercules, man. He ain’t the best champ we’ve seen. Especially that fight with Joey Spencer, it wasn’t too [good].

“I don’t think too much of Tim Tszyu. I never did. I never thought so much of Tim Tszyu. I know every dog has his day. And, you know, Tim Tszyu, maybe he looked dominant for a few fights with some opponents that were just, you know, picked for him the right way.”

Sydney’s Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs), who was floored four times by Murtazaliev, stopped Spencer (19-2, 11 KOs) in the fourth round of their April 6 bout at Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia. The popular Australian contender appears headed for a rematch with Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs), who defeated Tszyu by split decision in a bloody battle that took place in March 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Lubin, 29, a southpaw from Orlando, Florida, and the left-handed Holmes, of Flint, Michigan, will headline a card ProBox TV will stream on its YouTube channel from Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, an Orlando suburb. ProBox’s undercard coverage is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET.

This 12-rounder is essentially a hometown fight for Lubin, who is ranked third by the IBF in its junior middleweight top 15. Holmes is rated sixth by the IBF.

The winner is expected to move into the unoccupied No. 1 position in the IBF’s ratings, which would likely lead to being named the mandatory challenger for Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) or whoever owns the IBF belt at that time.

Lubin can’t wait to end a 19-month layoff against an opponent he beat in the 152-pound final at the 2013 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“I figure that I’m a bad style for everybody, for every type of style,” Lubin said. “You know, they say styles make fights, but when you’re able to go in there and adapt and adjust and switch your style – you see how I fought Fundora versus how I fought [Jesus] Ramos [in September 2023]. It’s just like I got different styles in me.

“I can adapt to what’s going on in the ring. I know my day is coming. Imma handle what’s in front of me right now. You know, this is definitely important for me. I can’t wait till Saturday. I can’t wait for a title shot again. And I’m just motivated.”