(Photo: Casino/Showtime) By Dan Ambrose: Junior middleweight contender Erislandy Lara (16-1-1, 11 KO’s) is pretty much in a no win situation when it comes to trying to get a title shot against WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, because his promoters at Golden Boy Promotions aren’t interested in matching Alvarez up with the tough as nails Lara.
This is the sad part about boxing where you get champions, who instead of take on all comers starting with the best, they continue to be treated as if they’re prospects working their way up.
Lara faces the 33-year-old Freddie Hernandez (30-2, 20 KO’s) on Saturday night in a 10 round bout at the Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California. This is going to be a tough fight for the 29-year-old Lara, but it’s also a very winnable fight. Hernandez was chopped down by former IBF/WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto in one round in November 2010. Since then he’s fought once, beating Luis Collazo by a 10 round decision last year in October. Lara should beat this guy with no problems.
Lara, #3 WBC, #5 WBA, #5 IBF, #10 WBO, isn’t really being given much consideration for a fight against Alvarez, and it’s easy to see why. Lara is the much better fighter of the two. He doesn’t quite hit as hard, but his hand speed, defense, and overall talent is superior compared to Alvarez. Golden Boy Promotions don’t seem eager to put Alvarez with Lara and instead we’ll see Alvarez face Carlos Quintana, Austin Trout or the winner of the Cornelius Bundrage vs. Cory Spinks fight. Trout is considered to be the front runner in landing the Alvarez fight.
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