By Jake Donovan
It’s a new year, but the same results for junior middleweight prospect Erislandy Lara.
Depending on the viewpoint, it’s either a very good thing or a complete waste of time and talent.
The undefeated Cuban southpaw picked up his fourth consecutive first-round knockout, dusting off hapless journeyman Delray Raines at just 2:59 of the opening round Friday night at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
Lara weighed in at 152 ¼ lb, while Raines came in above the junior middleweight division limit at 155 ½ lb for their Telefutura-televised main event.
There was considerable concern that another short night was in store for Lara, who didn’t even have to press the issue in extending his knockout streak.
Raines looked every bit the part of your garden variety Arkansas punching bag, lacking technique on both offense and defense and proving to be an all-too inviting target anytime Lara decided to throw a punch.
It only took two in particular to sap any suspense from the evening. Lara offered earmuff defense while riding out Raines’ attack, patiently waiting for the right moment before scoring with a right hook and straight left for the bout’s lone knockdown.
The sequence would prove to be the last punches thrown in the bout. Raines remained on the floor while receiving his mandatory eight count, though never given a chance to get up as the referee didn’t believe the fallen fighter had the wherewithal to continue.
Lara’s record advances to 15-0 (10KO) with the win, while Raines falls to 18-9-1 (13KO).
Concerns were raised last spring when Lara was struggling to win in impressive fashion. Victories over battle-tested veterans Luciano Perez, Grady Brewer and Danny Perez should’ve been enough on its own merit to prove that the former amateur standout was moving in the right direction.
However, a decision was made by his handlers to abandon the first half of the “Win today, look good the next time” equation.
The result has been nothing but early exits since last summer, though at the cost of dumbing down the opposition. Lara hasn’t learned a thing, other than how to bully severely overmatched clubfighters.
Some have been fooled by the con job, as the Cuban appeared on several year-end lists highlighting the best prospects in the sport today, believing that he is ready for the world title stage in 2011.
Perhaps that proves to be true. Hopefully once that opportunity arrives, he’ll still remember what to do when opponents actually punch back.
TELEVISED UNDERCARD
Undefeated junior welterweight prospect Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez scored a six-round shutout over Jose Alfredo Lugo in the televised co-feature.
Scores were 60-53 across the board.
It was an impressive showing by the 18-year old Gomez, despite having to settle for a distance win in his second straight fight after scoring six straight knockouts to begin his career.
Despite the lack of a knockout, Gomez’ power punching talents were still on full display. The straight right hand proved to be money early on, although it was his left hook that provided the most damage, including the bout’s lone knockdown which came late in the second round.
Gomez had Lugo in trouble at several other points in the fight, including a left hook that rocked the journeyman midway through the fourth. When it was clear that the knockout wouldn’t come, Gomez elected to mix up his attack and experiment with boxing from the southpaw stance while getting in some rounds.
The win advances Gomez’ record to 8-0 (6KO), fighting for the first time in three months after maintaining an active 2010 campaign, his first year as a pro.
Lugo drops to 11-15-1 (5KO), having won just twice in his past 17 fight, a span covering four years.
Lara’s early exit in the main event allowed for local prospect Randy Caballero (7-0, 4KO) to receive airtime, much to the delight of the rabid crowd on hand. The Coachella (CA) native made the most of his 15 minutes of fame, easily turning away overmatched Manuel Ortega (1-4, 0KO) with a four-round decision in their featherweight swing bout. All three judges scored the bout 40-35.
East LA flyweight Ramon Valadez (5-1, 1KO) had little trouble in stopping Pablo Cesar Garcia (3-6, 1KO) in the third round of their scheduled four-round swing bout. A grotesquely cut and bloodied left eye as the result of Valadez’ precision punching convinced the referee that the bout needn’t extend any further. It was the right call, as Garcia – while brave – was hopelessly outgunned.
The show was presented by Golden Boy Promotions.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .
