It might just do a hell of a lot more than that.

They say styles make fights. This fight (Showtime, 10 PM EST/7 PM PST) appears to have the right blend. Cuba’s Erislandy Lara isn’t always entertaining but when he’s put into a ring with someone who brings the fight to him all night long, good things can happen.

Lara has just that in Jarrett Hurd.

Hurd is younger, taller, naturally bigger, and he seemingly always comes to fight. He showed that in his title winning effort against Tony Harrison. He showed it again in a thrilling defense against Austin Trout.

Can he not only bring the fight but win the fight this weekend and leave with a second title belt?

Let’s get into it.

Stats and Stakes

Erislandy Lara

Age: 34

Title: WBA super welterweight (2013-Present, 7 Defenses); IBO super welterweight (2015-Present, 4 Defenses)

Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’9

Weight: 153 ½ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Houston, Texas (Born in Cuba)

Record: 25-2-2, 14 KO?

Press Rankings: #1 (Ring, Boxing Monthly, BoxRec), #2 (TBRB, ESPN)

Record in Major Title Fights: 8-0, 3 KO including two interim title fights

Last Five Opponents: 153-14-5 (.904)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Carlos Molina D10; Paul Williams L12; Austin Trout UD12; Saul Alvarez L12; Ishe Smith UD12; Jan Zaveck TKO3; Yuri Foreman KO4

Vs.

Jarrett Hurd

Titles: IBF Jr. middleweight (2017-Present, 1 Defense)

Previous Titles: None

Age: 27

Height: 6’1 

Weight: 153 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Accokeek, Maryland

Record: 21-0, 15 KO

Press Rankings: #3 (TBRB, Ring, ESPN, Boxing Monthly, BoxRec),

Record in Major Title Fights: 2-0, 2 KO 

Last Five Opponents: 119-7-3 (.934)

Current/Former World Champions Faced: Austin Trout RTD10

The Case for Lara: With a deep amateur background and far deeper professional resume, Lara’s experience can’t be discounted. His counter left is accurate and, against Hurd, is likely to land plenty. This could be similar at times to both Lara’s breakout performance in the controversial loss to Paul Williams and his off the floor win over Alfredo Angulo. While he’s the older man, Lara isn’t an old fighter yet. 34 is right there on the brink but Lara has only had six fights since his narrow loss to Alvarez in 2014 and none were super taxing. If Lara can keep some space between he and Hurd, his footwork advantage could also be a big factor. Hurd sometimes squares up and can be lax in his defense. If Lara can minimize the damage he takes, he’s shown he has the patience to chip away at an aggressive foe.     

The Case for Hurd: Hurd isn’t taking a shy path for his career. He’s gone from his first title to his first unification bout in just three fights and for the second fight in a row is taking on one of the established veterans in his class. For Hurd, it’s probably the smart management path. His higher contact approach might not be built for a decade long run. He’s shown some good defensive ability, picking off shots on the arms and gloves while getting close and ripping short shots with variety. Lara likes to fight at a measured pace. If Hurd can force him to fight at Hurd’s pace, Lara will take more leather and the sheer size of Hurd (he will rehydrate to advantage) will be a plus.

The Pick

This has not been a good year for the Cuban school of boxing and the thinking here is the trend holds. Hurd’s greater offensive variety will be enough to offset the better accuracy and experience of Lara. Both men are going to eat some big shots but Lara has never shown to be a huge puncher as a professional. His countering won’t be enough to stop Hurd from throwing and that should be enough for Hurd to pull out at least a decision in a good fight.

Rold Picks 2018: 6-4

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com