By Dan Ambrose: WBA World light middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12 KO’s) will be defending his title for the first time against the recently beaten IBF 154lb champion Ishe Smith (25-6, 11 KO’s) on May 2nd at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The fight will be televised by Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes instead of Showtime.
You can read between the lines why Showtime chose not to televise this fight. Obviously, the interest in the fight would be too low for them to want to take a chance on buying the fight. This is not a good fight, and it’s very likely to put fans to sleep on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Depotes. Lara’s a good fighter, but he’s more interesting to watch when he’s facing aggressive opposition like Alfredo Angulo rather than guys that clinch a lot.