Lara: I Didn't Beat Guys on a Mexican Street Corner!

By Edward Chaykovsky

WBA 'regular' junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12KOs) is not that impressed with the record of his upcoming opponent, Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (43-1-1, 31KOs). The Showtime Pay-Per-View bout is taking place on July 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

According to Lara, the bulk of Canelo's victims were carefully handpicked opponents in Mexico. He promises to expose the young Mexican's flaws when they step in the young.

"For the Mexican fans, we have a surprise for you July 12. I came from Cuba where I fought the best. I earned this in the ring, fighting the best in the division, not on a Mexican street corner. I've always done my job against the best fighters in the division. I've faced a lot of hard punchers so I'm not worried about his power," Lara said.

"Canelo knows, just like everyone in the division knows. No one wants to fight me because I'm dangerous and I beat everybody. He took this fight because of the pressure I put on him. I feel like my opponent needs to be ready for my style. I'm not looking to be ready for anyone's style.  They have to be ready for mine."

Lara considers himself to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. He places himself in the number three position among the pound-for-pound best, with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Ward being the only fighters who stand above him.

"I feel I'm one of the top three-pound-for-pound fighters.  Some give me that credit but some won't. My job is to keep winning and doing what I'm doing. The proof is in who I've fought and beaten," Lara said.