By Steve Kim
Despite rumblings that Erislandy Lara, the WBA 'super' champion at 154, was taking a stay-busy bout in the fall, the representatives of Demetrius Andrade (who holds the 'regular' version of that title) believe they are next in line to face the Cuban southpaw.
Artie Pelullo, who co-promotes Andrade with Joe DeGuardia, explained to BoxingScene.com - "We're supposed to start negotiating in September for the fight(with Lara) to happen before the end of the year. Now, I don't think Lara can take a fight in October like he's planning on. So I believe that he's not allowed to take a fight like we're not allowed to take a fight in October or November because negotiations begin in September.
"So I don't believe that Lara can take a fight in October. I understand he put in the media that he's looking for a fight and that he has an opponent - but he doesn't have a date or a TV slot and in my opinion Lara's trying to do things to avoid fighting Demetrius Andrade."
Andrade (24-0, 16 KOs) captured the 'regular' version of the WBA 154-pound title by defeating Jack Culcay on March 11th in Germany, and he believed a shot was secured at tLara (24-2-2, 14 KOs).
But there are reports that Lara will take another fight instead in the fall. BoxingScene.com was advised that Lara and his handlers are waiting to receive word on a finalized date and venue.
Lara, who also holds the IBO title, has been out of the ring since January, when he easily stopped former world champion Yuri Foreman.
Both Lara and Andrade saw action a single time in 2016 and so far each man has only had a single bout in 2017.
Efforts to reach WBA president, Gilberto Mendoza, were unsuccessful. Mendoza has been campaigning since early 2016 to abolish the issue of multiple WBA titles in each weight division.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
