By Elisinio Castillo
WBA/IBO junior welterweight champion Erislandy Lara (23-2-2, 13KOs) is looking to fight at least three times in 2017.
Lara has seen action once this year, when he won a twelve round decision over Vanes Martirosyan in their May rematch in Las Vegas.
As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Lara's was being targeted for a date in December in Florida. His handlers were unable to get everything in order, regarding the TV outlet and the date, so his return was pushed back to 2017.
Lara admits the year has been slow for him, which is why he spoke to his team and demanded to fight at least three times in 2017 - including a fight in Florida for the Cuban fans.
"Yes, it has been a slow year. I wanted to fight here in [Florida in] December, but they could not get things together with the television and the dates, but I have been promised that in 2017 I will come back with three fights," Lara said to George Ebro.
"I have spoken with my team and I told them that I want at least three fights to recover [my planned fight from] this December. I want to fight more often here [in Florida]. Last time I fought in Hialeah the public responded. I feel the affection of the people in Miami, so I will surely return."
As far as his next opponent. Lara says his manager/adviser Al Haymon can line them up and he will knock them down. Haymon has several junior middleweight under contract - including two other champions in the division - WBC champion Jermell Charlo and IBF champion Jermall Charlo. Lara and Jermall share the same trainer in Ronnie Shields, but Jermell is longer trained by Shields and that makes a Lara fight possible in the future.
"Everyone knows the kind of fighter that I am, the battles that I've had, that wins that I've had and what they have taken from me. No one at 154 pounds can come close to me. No one," Lara said.
