0.8 C
New York
Sunday, January 12, 2025

Erislandy Lara ‘ready to put on a show’ against Danny Garcia in Canelo-Berlanga undercard


Erislandy Lara called the junior middleweight division home for much of his career, and he was the cornerstone of the division for over a decade.

However, in the twilight of his ring years, he decided to move up to middleweight in search of more glory, and claimed the WBA title. He will put it on the line Saturday against former two-division titleholder Danny Garcia in a featherweight contest on the undercard of Canelo-Edgar Berlanda at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Ranked No. 4 by The Ring as a middleweight, Lara welcomes the opportunity to lock horns with Garcia, who have been circling each other for a while now.

“I’m excited for this fight with Danny Garcia,” Lara (30-3-3, 18 knockouts) told The Ring. “He’s a big name in the sport, and our paths finally crossed. This is a fight the fans have been asking for, and I’m ready to put on a show. It’s going to be a battle.”

The 41-year-old Cuban is well aware of what Garcia brings to the fight.

“Danny Garcia is a former two-division world champion and he is one of the best fighters of this era,” said Lara. “He’s proven himself at the highest levels, and I respect what he brings to the ring. He has power and good timing, but I believe my ring IQ, movement and precision will be the difference in this fight.”

Interestingly, while the middleweight limit is 160 pounds, the fight will take place at a lower weight.

“The fight will take place at a catchweight of 157 pounds,” he explained. “I’m comfortable with that, and I’m sure it will benefit both of us. It’s a weight where I feel strong and ready to perform at my best.”

While Garcia will take a 26-month hiatus, Lara will return just six months after demolishing Michael Zerafa (KO 2), ending his own long spell away from the ring.

Lara feels that his recent battle may play a role in this fight.

“Absolutely, I think it was important to be active and get that fight against Zerafa,” he pointed out. “I felt sharp and strong in that fight, and I’m going into this one with momentum.

“Danny is a great fighter, but being inactive can affect you. I look for it to take advantage.”

Although Lara is in the later stages of his career, he still feels he has more to achieve.

“My goal at this point is to continue to build my legacy and take the biggest fights available,” he said. “I still have a lot left to achieve, and I want to prove that I am still one of the best fighters in the world.

“I am focused on winning this fight and then looking for more opportunities to add to my career achievements.”

His manager, Bob Santos, feels his client is well placed to add a good name to his already impressive ledger.

“It comes down to weight, which is 157 pounds,” Santos said. “Lara makes weight quite comfortably. He’s going to beat Danny Garcia and for sure.”

While this fight feels like it could have happened a few years ago, it will be interesting to see what both have left at this point in their careers. I feel the activity and weight will serve Lara better and that he will win on the scorecards.

Garcia found great success at 140 pounds, where he annexed the Ring Championship and the WBC and WBA titles, earning wins over Erik Morales (UD 12/KO 4), Amir Khan (TKO 4), Zab Judah (UD 12) and Lucas Matthysse (UD 12).

The Philadelphia-born fighter then moved up to welterweight and claimed the vacant WBC title at the expense of Robert Guerrero (UD 12). However, he lost to Keith Thurman (SD 12) in a unification bid and failed to regain the same title, dropping the close decision against Shawn Porter and also losing to then IBF/WBC belt holder Errol Spence (UD 12) .

Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga, plus undercard bouts, will air on DAZN Pay-Per-View at 8:00 PM ET/ 5:00 PM PT.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected).





Source link

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -