Lara picks up WBA 154 lb title, wants Canelo, Mayweather and Golovkin now

By Boxing News - 03/14/2014 - Comments

lara543By Dan Ambrose: The World Boxing Association finally wised up in elevating Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12 KO’s) to the WBA 154 lb champion after his back to back big wins over Alfredo Angulo and Austin Trout. The way that Lara defeated Trout, a fighter that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez failed to prove that he was better then, it showed pretty clearly that Lara is arguably the 2nd best fighter in the 154 lb division behind Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Even Floyd Sr. said that he thinks Lara would beat Canelo if that fight were ever to be made. With the WBA title in his possession, Lara now wants Gennady Golovkin, Canelo or Mayweather. Whichever of these fighters want to face him, Lara is ready to fight them.

“I would like to challenge the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather, Gennady Golovkin and any other top fighter that feels they are the best. Boxing should be about fighting the best.”

Lara needs to realize that the sport of boxing has changed dramatically since the time that greats like Sugar Ray Robinson fought. It’s no longer about the best fighting the best. It’s now more like the best carefully picking beatable fighters that they feel they can defeat. You do see good fighters taking on the best when it’s a case where they still come out ahead even in losing the fight due to the big payday that they get.

Look at Canelo facing Mayweather as an example of that. Canelo got a big payday against Mayweather even in losing, so it was still a victory for Canelo due to the payday he got. But it’s safe to say you won’t be seeing Canelo agree to fight Lara or a tough fighter like Golovkin.

Lara is going to have to create his own path for his future and not count on the likes of Canelo, Mayweather or Golovkin fighting him, because that’s probably not going to happen in this lifetime. Lara is too good and those guys don’t want to lose, so a fight against them is not going to happen.

Lara will be making his first defense of his WBA title on May 2ne against former IBF junior middleweight champion Ishe Smith (25-6, 11 KO’s) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s too bad that the Lara-Smith fight wasn’t put on the undercard of the Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana fight card a day later on May 3rd, because it definitely belongs on that card.



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