By Rick Reeno
Multiple sources have advised BoxingScene.com that a rematch between junior middleweights Erislandy Lara (22-2-2, 13KOs) and Vanes Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21KOs) is close to being done.
Both boxers have agreed to the fight, but a date/network has not been finalized as of yet. Dates in May and June are being reviewed.
They initially faced each other back in 2012 in a WBC final eliminator, when Vanes was promoted by Top Rank and Lara was with Golden Boy Promotions. Both boxers are now handled by manager/adviser Al Haymon, and they fight under the Premier Boxing Champions banner.
Their first meeting, which was televised by HBO, left a very unsatisfactory ending. In a close boxing match, a clash of heads in the ninth round caused an abrupt ending to the bout. Vanes suffered a cut above his left eye and the fight was sent to the scorecards.
After nine rounds, the scorecards came back with a technical draw - with Vanes winning 86-85 on one scorecard, Lara winning 87-84 on another, and judge Dave Moretti scoring an 86-86 draw.
Vanes was in the ring last September, when he won a ten round majority decision over Ishe Smith as part of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Andre Berto undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Smith was down twice in the contest.
Lara retained his WBA/IBO junior middleweight titles in November with a three round destruction of former champion Jan Zaveck at the Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah, Florida.
