Erislandy Lara Still Has a Target on The Back of Gennady Golovkin

By Elisinio Castillo

According to manager Luis DeCubas Jr., WBA/IBO junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara of Cuba will return to the ring later this year, on a date to announced, in Hialeah, South Florida - which has the highest percentage of Cuban and Cuban-American residents of any city in the United States.

DeCubas says the full details of the event will be revealed shortly, with Lara likely facing a former world champion.

A week ago, Lara stated on social media: "The date for my fight will be announced soon, at the end of the year! I'll put on another show for the fans of my homeland! My people I will soon see you!"

Lara is on a four fight win streak, and looks to improve his current pro record of 23 wins, two draws and two defeats.

"Lara is one of the most professional and disciplined fighters in recent times. He's comparable with fighters like Bernard Hopkins," said DeCubas to Luis Sanchez. "He cares [about his body], he leads a family life and he's always in constant contact with his trainer Ronnie Shields to stay fit."

Lara's last fight was a rematch against Vanes Martirosyan - which saw the Cuban fighter win a twelve round unanimous decision on May 21 in Las Vegas.

He had previously fought in Hialeah, on the 25th of November, and scored a TKO win in the third round over Slovenian Jan Zeveck.

"For Lara it means a lot to fight again in Miami and more precisely in Hialeah," said DeCubas. "Fighting in front of his audience is a special motivation for him and gives assurance that he will be at his highest level to offer the type of fight that people like."

Beyond his next fight, Lara is still gunning to get in the ring with IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (36-0, 33KOs). Lara has no problem moving up to 160-pounds for that fight.

"Lara has the versatility to gain or lose weight. Therefore, going up to 160 pounds will not be a problem for him," said DeCubas. "In addition, he demonstrated in July of 2014 - when he lost with the controversial decision against Canelo - that he's able to successfully deal with any of the best fighters in the world."