By: Sean Crose
Erislandy Lara is called “The American Dream” for a cause. Coming to the US from oppressive Cuba, the lean and expert Lara has confirmed himself to be one of many high practitioners within the sport for at the least the final ten years. Now, at forty-one years of age, the veteran former titlist will probably be dealing with one other identify that was outstanding a decade in the past – the nonetheless widespread Philly fighter Danny Garcia. Their scheduled 12 rounder will probably be on the undercard of this Saturday evening’s Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga pay per view card. It’s been some time since both Lara or Garcia was on the high of the game, however that is nonetheless an attention-grabbing matchup.
Lara, in spite of everything, is from the Cuban faculty of boxing, which implies the person fights in a slick, polished fashion that may frustrate and dominate an opponent. But Lara has proven he may hit when he must. Three of the man’s final 4 fights (all wins) have ended inside the distance. What’s extra, the three loses to be discovered on Lara’s 30-3-3 resume got here on the gloved fists of notables Paul Williams, Jarrett Hurd, and Canelo, respectively. Certainly there are these – this author included – who felt Lara ought to have been given the decide’s nod for his battle with Canelo.
As for Garcia, the now 36 12 months previous fighter has had a formidable profession. Whereas he might have misplaced shut fights to the likes of Errol Spence, Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman, Garcia has defeated such notables as Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Lucas Matthysse, Erik Morales and others. Put merely, the person has earned the respect and accolades he has obtained. He hasn’t fought in over two years, nevertheless, which makes it value questioning how the ageing former titlist will carry out within the ring in opposition to fellow ageing former titlist Lara this weekend.
Irrespective of, actually. Certain, these two are over the hill, however this struggle will reply the core query of each boxing match value watching: Which man is healthier? In the case of fighters folks know (even older ones) the query turns into all of the extra attractive. Reality be instructed, some would possibly argue Lara-Garcia is a extra attractive struggle on paper than the Canelo-Berlanga bout is, which appears to be like to doubtless be a one sided education from Canelo. Boxing being boxing, one by no means is aware of. A matchup between two recognized commodities, nevertheless, is definitely fascinating. And Lara-Garcia will probably be a throwdown between two recognized commodities who’ve been round for fairly a while.
Pictures: PBC
