LOS ANGELES: Erislandy Lara, long denied a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, will try to take out his frustration on the Mexican world champion’s younger brother today in a super-welterweight bout in Minnesota. Five years ago, Lara lost a disputed decision to middleweight king Canelo when he felt he’d done enough to secure a win. Now the Cuban-born boxer will get a shot at Canelo’s sibling Ramon Alvarez in Minneapolis today as he vies to return to the top of the super-welterweight tree.
“This fight against Ramon Alvarez is personal for me, as I have history with the Alvarez family,” Lara said. Lara lost the World Boxing Association’s 154-pound belt in a narrow split-decision loss to American Jarrett Hurd in April of 2018, a bout in which a 12th-round knockdown was the difference. Since then his only fight was a split-decision draw against Brian Carlos Castano in March. The winner of Saturday’s bout will claim the WBA’s second-tier “regular” world title and move into the mix to challenge for the crown now held by Julian Williams, who shocked previously unbeaten Hurd in May.
“My goal has been to get back to the top of the division,” said Lara, who had held the title for more than three years. “I’ve been at the top of the division all of these years and regaining a title is huge. “It’s part of my history and my legacy,” added Lara, who brings a record of 25-3-3 with 14 knockouts to the bout. I want to look spectacular in this main event Saturday night on a big stage. Then I can move on to the biggest fights in the world.” – AFP
