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A crossroads bout takes center stage tonight on Showtime, as Erislandy Lara faces former 154 lb. titlist Ishe Smith at Illusions Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.
Lara (19-2-2, 12KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since a close, disputed points loss to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in July. Because the bout took place one pound above the super welterweight limit, the Cuban southpaw remains a divisional titlist (sort of) as he makes the second defense of said crown.
Smith (26-6, 12KOs) rebounded from a disappointing title reign-ending loss to Carlos Molina last September with a 2nd round stoppage of Ryan Davis in May. The slot was originally intended for this very matchup, but Lara withdrew in favor of the far more lucrative showdown with Alvarez.
The winner will be viewed by the World Boxing Association (WBA) as the leading contender for Floyd Mayweather Jr, but that’s only in the event that the sanctioning body actually enforces its own rules. The truth is that both fighters are in desperate need of a crowd-pleasing performance more so than just a win.
So who will come out on top? Read on to see how the staff at Boxingscene.com believes the action (and hopefully not lack thereof) will play out. [Click Here To Read More]
Lara (19-2-2, 12KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since a close, disputed points loss to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in July. Because the bout took place one pound above the super welterweight limit, the Cuban southpaw remains a divisional titlist (sort of) as he makes the second defense of said crown.
Smith (26-6, 12KOs) rebounded from a disappointing title reign-ending loss to Carlos Molina last September with a 2nd round stoppage of Ryan Davis in May. The slot was originally intended for this very matchup, but Lara withdrew in favor of the far more lucrative showdown with Alvarez.
The winner will be viewed by the World Boxing Association (WBA) as the leading contender for Floyd Mayweather Jr, but that’s only in the event that the sanctioning body actually enforces its own rules. The truth is that both fighters are in desperate need of a crowd-pleasing performance more so than just a win.
So who will come out on top? Read on to see how the staff at Boxingscene.com believes the action (and hopefully not lack thereof) will play out. [Click Here To Read More]
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