Super Skilled Lara Wants Unity

By Michael Woods

Skills pay the bills, they like to say, the guys for whom boxing is a “sweet science.”

Indeed…

But sometimes one can be TOO skilled and that can make it harder to pay bills.

For exhibit, Erislandy Lara.

The Cuban born Texas resident, seen above with the missus, is a super skilled technician. All the needed traits, he owns them. But his style, detractors might say, makes him a harder to sell style matchup.

There us sometimes subtle artistry in his method and hello, have you met America?

Subtlety is not in vogue currently, is it, Mr. Trump?

I checked in with Lara, to get a sense if he has anything cooking. “Right now I am in the gym staying in shape,” he said. “I'm healthy and I can't wait to get back in the ring. My next fight will be announced shortly.”

Next fight is when and who and where? What does Al Haymon have cooking? Talk to me!

“Of course I want to fight the best out there, but sometimes in this sport the business side allows fighters to not want to fight the best. I'm just in the gym waiting for my name to be called. My ultimate goal is to unify the titles,” said the IBO and WBA 154 pound champion.

Who you targeting? Canelo/Khan winner?

“If either one of them want to step in the ring with me I'm ready to go anytime, anywhere, you know that Mike. But to be honest, it doesn't appear to me that Canelo wants to fight me again. He knows I beat him, only to be wronged by bad judging. Every great fighter knows when they got a gift and always look to reverse that. Only time will tell if Canelo is willing to be great. Right now my focus is on unifying the titles with all champions.”

Capisce; he looked good in his last bout, in November, against out skilled Jan Zaveck.

Tell me about being the IBO champ. Tell me about the IBO experience. Golovkin also has an IBO title…

“The IBO belt is very nice and everyone there has treating me with tons of respect. I believe as the years go on, the IBO title will be recognized globally as one of the top sanctioning bodies in the world. The experience I've had with them has been excellent. They also support their champions to the fullest and I have the utmost respect for Mr. Ed Levine and everyone at the IBO. It's a honor to be called one of their champions.”

And personally..give us an update on home, family, and hobbies and holiday plans and politics…

“My wife and kids are doing great. My daughter is getting big and my two sons will always be there to protect her (laughing). I'm really happy with my career and I will be back in the ring shortly. To all my fans, thank you for the support.”