By Miguel Rivera
WBA/IBO junior middleweight world champion Erislandy Lara (24-2-2, 14 KOs) is backing Julio Cesar Chavez to achieve his most important victory.
On May 6th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Chavez Jr. will collide with his countryman, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, at a catch-weight of 164.5-pounds.
In 2014, Lara lost a close and some felt controversial decision to Canelo in Las Vegas. Lara felt that he was robbed on the cards, but he was never able to get a rematch.
Lara cautions that Chavez Jr. must fight in an intelligent manner and close the fight strong.
"I'm going with Chavez [in that fight]. He's taller, he's bigger, heavier and a fighter who [can take punishment and continue to fight on]. He's had good fights, he's been able to withstand what's been given to him and we do not know if that Canelo can do the same," said Lara to ESPN Deportes.
Lara opened this year already with a victory over former world champion Yuri Foreman. Lara applied strategic punishment to knock him out in the fourth in order to successfully defend the WBA/IBO belts at 154 pounds.
Lara was not very active in 2016. He only had one fight last year and aims to have at least three ring appearances before the end of this year.
"I'm really good right now. I have a new date for my next fight, in May or June, there is still no opponent but I'm fine. I want to keep fighting to get ahead and provide food for my children. I've fought and accomplished things in life, so I feel good," said Lara.
"The truth that I did better after the fight with Canelo, so I can not complain even though last year I fought only once, so this year we will fight three times if everything goes as we hope."
