ERISLANDY LARA: “I DON’T OWE ALVAREZ ANYTHING OTHER THAN LEFT HANDS!”

    0
    982

    -Erislandy Lara has said he doesn’t owe Canelo Alvarez anything other than left hands as he prepares do battle with the Mexican superstar this weekend. 

     
    The Cuban light-middleweight takes on the dangerous Alvarez this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on BoxNation, and despite being one of the divisions most avoided fighters says he isn’t indebted to the former unified champion for taking the fight. 
     
    “I don’t owe him anything other than left hands. I forced this fight. It wasn’t because he wanted to take this fight [that he agreed to fight],” said Lara. 
     
    “We’ve been after this fight for two years and I’ve been putting pressure on social media and interviews and jumping on stage, that’s what pressured him to take this fight. 
     
    “I know he didn’t want this fight, and on July 12th you’re going to see the reason why he didn’t want this fight,” he said. 
     
    The 31-year-old has earned a reputation as a slick and polished competitor having honed his skills in the fabled Cuban amateur system. 
     
    Having fled the Communist state and his home of Guantanamo to establish his career as a professional fighter, victory for Lara will see him fulfil a lifelong ambition of becoming one of boxing’s very best. 
     
    “I wanted to come to this country and fight the best. That’s what I wanted to do since my seventh professional fight,” Lara said. 
     
    “I was asking to fight for a world title. And championships come and go, but these are the types of fights that will leave history, so that’s what I plan on doing on July 12th. 
     
    “I always want to stand up and show why Cuban boxing’s the best – that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday,” he said. 
     
    Lara, who has only lost one fight in his 22 as a professional, that being a controversial points loss to Paul Williams in 2011, has vowed to do a number on the cinnamon haired Alvarez, a fighter who he believes is the perfect style for him. 
     
    “It’s a good style match up because I know Canelo’s going to try to press forward and press for action, and that’s a style I like. I like guys that come and fight, and I pick them apart, like I’ve done to several guys coming up,” Lara said. 
     
    “These are the fights I like. I like guys who come to fight and I like to put them in the dirt, and that’s what I plan on doing,” he said. 
     
    The much respected trainer Ronnie Shields, who has trained the likes of Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, will be in Lara’s corner for the fight and agrees with his charge, though he says his power in this fight will compliment his skilled southpaw counter-punching. 
     
    “I think those guys with the come forward styles really complement Lara’s style. But at the same time Lara punches harder than people give him credit for, and on Saturday July 12th you’re going to see that,” said Shields. 
     
    “I think if you look at him everything has improved. I think there’s just an improvement in him on him being just a pure boxer. He’s probably one of the best counter punchers out there. You’re not going to find anybody else better. 
     
    “Lara, he fights anybody and everybody. Lara asked for this, he asked for every fight that he’s been in basically because nobody wants to fight him. He only wants to fight the best fighters, and this is why you’ll see him fight on July 12th with Canelo Alvarez,” he said. 

    SHARE
    Previous articleSKELTON: JOSHUA COULD BE ANOTHER AUDLEY HARRISON
    Next articleZou Shiming & Gilberto Ramirez on HBO2
    The team at Thaboxingvoice.com set out with a mission to create an online environment focused on boxing that voiced the opinions, concerns, and attitudes of you, the people. Doing our best to bring you the answers you want to know, and getting the exclusives that those other guys cant. We are always working hard to get the inside scoop inside and outside of the ring. If it’s happening in Boxing, we will tell you about it! You can find us at the fights all over the place with our nationwide team of correspondents, and wide reach around the globe we have the tools and the team to bring you coverage from all the fights. Whether it is in a gym in Jersey or on the floor at MGM Grand. No fight to big or small for Tha Boxing Voice. Our experienced team combined has over 50+ years of boxing experience to bring to the table. Some of us growing up ringside, some of us growing up in the ring, no matter the situation we are all true boxing fans first and reporters second. This can be found evident on our twice-weekly podcast. We work hard to bring you interviews that answer your questions and guest who will spark your interest from all areas of the boxing world. Writers, Trainers, Promoters and the most relevant fighters before and after some of their biggest fights. We are working 24/7 to get the information to you, the listeners. We work to form a personal relationship with our listeners and our guests making our show more intimate and giving a raw, uncut and real aspect that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. We are Tha Boxing Voice, The Voice of you, The People. Follow @boxingvoiceshow