By Miguel Rivera
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (43-1-1, 31KOs) and WBA 'regular' junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12KOs) have reached an agreement to face each other on July 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will be Canelo's third consecutive fight at the venue. The fight will be a Showtime Pay-Per-View headliner. Both fighters confirmed the deal via their social networks.
The Cuban boxer was scheduled to defend his title against former IBF champion Ishe Smith on May 2nd at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. That fight is now off. Smith will still fight on the date, but against a different opponent.
They have two mutual opponents of note. Lara was dropped twice and went through hell to TKO Alfredo Angulo in the ninth round. Last month, Canelo demolished Angulo until the fight was finally called in the tenth. Canelo dropped Austin Trout, but still struggled to win a twelve round decision. On the other hand, Lara also dropped Trout and dominated him for most of the contest.
