Will Canelo be taking too much of a risk when he squares off against the largely-avoided Erislandy Lara July 12?
When it was announced Saul “Canelo” Alvarez would face the highly-skilled but exceedingly awkward Erislandy Lara, many experts insisted it was the wrong fight for the surging Mexican at this moment.
(Image courtesy of Round by Round Boxing)
After all, Lara, despite his abilities, is virtually an unknown to casual fans. As a result, the risks Canelo will assume may seemingly outweigh the spoils of triumph. Alvarez’s insistence on this match-up is testament to the red-headed Mexican’s commitment to take on all comers – But will Lara’s technique and unorthodox style be too much for the 23 year old star?
Whenever the avoided fighters are discussed, Erislandy Lara is usually on the tip of everyones tongue. The slick Cuban, who has an array of natural talent and quality power,has struggled to build up a big fan base which has left him ostracised to the infamous “Who Needs Him Club”.
Nevertheless when he finally got his chance at the interim WBA light middleweight title against Alfredo Angulo, the man dubbed “The American dream” realised his own dream and dismantled the belligerent “El Perro” earning a 10th Round TKO.
Since that bout, Lara went on to outclass the very skilful Austin Trout who, incidentally, gave Canelo a very close fight one year ago.
With a huge following and youthful good looks, many would agree that Canelo is the future of boxing and a tailor made star. So it was no surprise that Alvarez was on some’s top five pound for pound when he climbed through the ropes for what was to be the most lucrative fight of his career to date against Floyd Mayweather jr. It was a step up in class for Alvarez but throughout the Mayweather vs Canelo press tour the Mexican looked like he belonged there and seemed destined to give Mayweather with his toughest test in years.
But to the dismay of his fans and countrymen, Mayweather put on a masterclass and broke down the game Mexican, taking the latter’s undefeated record in the process. Subsequently, after his first loss, Canelo fought Alfredo Angulo in a bout that was billed ‘Toe to Toe’ and that’s exactly how the bout played out.
Like his future foe Lara, Canelo was able stop the spirited Angulo in the tenth, showing no hangover from the Mayweather loss.
So can Canelo Alvarez ‘pick the lock’ of the awkward Erislandy Lara or will the latter frustrate the Mexican into submission in a Mayweather-esque performance?
Fighters on the rise avoidING risky bouts is nothing new in boxing so Canelo deserves a great deal of respect for taking on this skilled tactician, win or lose.
And if Canelo can walk Lara down, which he is very capable of doing, the decision to fight Lara will be a good one.However, if the 31 year old Cuban discourages his young counterpart, it may derail Alvarez’s chances of becoming the next Golden Boy.
