Erislandy Lara was behind his promoters to get him a fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez or Austin Trout, and, although the Mexican was out of his reach, the American always remained in the spotlight for a future bout.”
Well, the future has a date.
Lara (18-1-2, 12 KO) will fight the former champion of the interim title on December 7 at the Barclays Center in worldwide by SHOWTIME.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity that brings me closer to the 154 pounds world title,” said Lara, who is training in Houston. “This proves what I’ve always said: I am ready to face the best men in the division to beat them all”.
With this bout Lara will certainly position himself as a key player in the super welterweights, as he has already faced four of the best rated boxers like Carlos Molina, Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams, and Vanes Martyrosian.
The Cuban camp had made strong efforts to include this fight as the undercard of Floyd Maywheater Jr. and Alvarez, but due to a dispute between Trout (26-1, 14 KO) and his former managers nipped that possibility, this forced them to find a new opportunity within the calendar of Golden Boy Promotions.
“This fight has aroused much interest, because everyone recognizes that Erislandy and Trout are very good boxers, but we believe our warrior is superior in every aspect”, said Luis De Cubas Jr., the Cuban’s representative. “A triumph on December 7, as we hope, will put a lot of pressure to Canelo or anyone else out there who think he is the best 154-pound “.
Lara, a former amateur champion, defeated in a super battle the Mexican Angulo by KO in ten rounds, although he was knocked down a couple of times, demonstrating that he can take the in-fight, take punches and get over them.
Trout, on the other hand, won a vacant title in 2011 and made four successful defenses – including a very convincing success against the Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto – before losing the title to Alvarez in April in a very close fight, that some people saw the the American win.
“I count myself among those who saw Trout win that fight, because although Canelo gave good punches, Trout landed much more’’, said De Cubas. “Trout is a great boxer, but he does not have the technique nor the strenght or the jaw Lara has. Then, when Erislandy beats him in December, what will happen? Nobody will be able to avoid him.’
