Erislandy Lara will defend his WBA Super World super welterweight championship over a scheduled 12 rounds against Yuri Foreman at Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Florida on Friday, January 13.
Born in Guantanamo, 33-year-old Lara fights out of Houston. A pro since 2008 (23-2-2, 13 KOs), “The American Dream” won the interim title by stopping Alfredo Angulo via 10th-round TKO in June 2013. The southpaw was upgraded to “regular” titleholder in March 2014 and to “super” champ this June. In addition, he scored the then-vacant IBO World super welterweight title in June 2015 by beating Delvin Rodriguez via unanimous decision. Never stopped, Lara hasn’t lost since July 2014, when Saul Alvarez won by controversial split decision. He last fought this May, beating Vanes Martirosyan (against whom he drew in November 2012) by unanimous decision.
“I’m very excited to be making my return to the ring in front of my Cuban fans in Miami on Spike on January 13,” says Lara. “Yuri Foreman is a former world champion who is dedicated to this sport and will be looking to win another world title. I expect nothing but the best from him. On fight night, I’m making another statement and going for the knockout. After this fight, it’s time to unify the division, then move up to win the middleweight titles. Everyone should tune in because it’s going to be a great night of boxing.”
Originally from Gomel, Belarus, but fighting out of Brooklyn, 36-year-old Foreman is a 14-year ring vet, though out of the ring in 2012 and 2014 (34-2, 10 KOs, 1 No Contest), who won the WBA World super welterweight title by beating Daniel Santos via unanimous decision in November 2009. He lost the belt in his next fight, in June 2010, to Miguel Cotto, who won by ninth-round TKO. He hasn’t lost since March 2011, retired by Pawel Wolak in the sixth. Ninth-ranked by the WBA, Foreman most recently fought this June, stopping Jason Davis by second-round TKO.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting for the world title,” says Foreman. “I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills and talent and becoming a two-time world champion. At this stage of my career, it would be a tremendous accomplishment. Lara is very crafty and many elite fighters have had trouble dealing with his style, but I have studied him and am very confident that I will defeat him by presenting him with something he’s never seen before.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
