Erislandy Lara Hopes A Win Over Danny Garcia Will Take Him Closer To Hall of Fame
WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara says he’s now fighting for legacy and believes a win over Danny Garcia next month will take him a step closer to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Lara (30-3-3 18 KO) will make the second defense of his WBA world title when he takes on two-weight world champion Garcia (37-3-0 21 KO) at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 14. Their bout will be the co-main event of the card headlined by unified super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s fight with Edgar Berlanga.
Lara will hold the physical advantage against Garcia; the Cuban is one inch taller and has a seven-inch reach advantage and has the benefit of ring sharpness having fought once this year. Garcia, meanwhile, is coming off a two-year layoff and is fighting at middleweight for the first time.
However, the American proved himself as one of the finest super-welterweight fighters of his generation, and Lara admits he’s preparing for a tough fight against ‘Swift’.
“Danny Garcia is a great fighter, a multiple-division world champion, and like me, he’s one of the best fighters of this generation,” said Lara. “This is going to be the fight of the night. I knocked out my last three opponents, and I’m training to make it four.
“This is going to be a tough fight “I know that. But every fight at the championship level is tough and has its challenges. I’m preparing hard for Danny and I believe that my experience fighting at this weight will be an advantage.”
Lara, who also held the WBA super-welterweight world title, moved to 160lbs in May 2021 and won the ‘regular’ world title in his first fight, knocking out Thomas LaManna in the first round. He defended the belt 12 months later with an eighth-round stoppage of Gary O’Sullivan before being promoted to full champion.
After two years of inactivity, Lara returned to defend the belt with a second-round knockout of Michael Zerafa. Now 41, the Houston-based fighter is boxing’s oldest world champion, but he insists he is fitter and sharper than ever.
“I’m very happy with the work I’ve been putting in during this training camp,” Lara said. “We’ve had a lot of time to work on fighting Danny Garcia and we’re prepared for what he brings. He’s a very powerful puncher with both hands, so I’ve had to tighten up and make a few adjustments on my defense. My focus is why I can keep performing at this level again and again. I’m going to be in tremendous shape like I always am and I’ll be ready for anything he does in the ring.”
The main event fight between Canelo and Berlanga is being billed as Mexico v Puerto Rico – a rivalry steeped in boxing history. By fighting Garcia, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, Lara is happy to add to the narrative and represent Cuba – another nation with a rich boxing culture.
“It’s a great honor to be fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend, especially against a great Puerto Rican champion in Danny Garcia,” Lara said. “I’ll be fighting not only for my Cuban fans, but also for the Mexican fans that will be tuning in. It’s going to be a great fight for everyone watching, no matter where you’re from.”
Lara will already be remembered as one of Cuba’s finest professional fighters, but he is determined to add to his legacy by defeating another champion in Garcia.
“I feel I’ve done a lot in this sport, and a win versus Danny Garcia will add another big triumph against a former world champion,” said Lara. “I’ve fought the best and have never turned down an opportunity to fight anyone. My goal is to one day be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and I’m going to keep working to reach it.”
