Canelo Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
Finally, a PPV fight!
While the over saturation of PPV events has been well documented, this might be the most interesting fight of them all. Many observers feel that Erislandy Lara is too slick for Canelo Alvarez.
While he is slick, he can also be hit. This isn’t Guillermo Rigondeaux standing in front of Canelo. Lara stopped Alfredo Angulo in a gutsy performance, but he also took a great deal of punishment in the process.
I think Alvarez brings the A game Saturday and takes the victory, setting himself up for some massive pay days ahead.
Prediction: Canelo
Vincent Nolasco, Staff Writer
This bout is a very difficult one to call. Both fighters have extremely great skill that make them truly unique and special. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is the heavy hitting boxer-puncher and Erislandy Lara is the slick, southpaw boxer.
In order for Canelo to be victorious, he must be able to adjust his offensive attack in different situations throughout the fight and land the heavier blows to the body, early and often. Canelo must be able to frustrate Lara, by bringing the pressure to him and invest in left or right hooks to the body.
When Lara starts to adjust, using his quickness, then starts to counter and box, Canelo must be able to box from the outside. This is where Canelo must be able mix it up from the outside and gain control of the fight by landing jabs and long range upper cuts against Lara.
Canelo will earn a split decision by displaying beautiful combinations, nice boxing skills and landing bombs to the body against Lara.
Prediction: Canelo
Donte Brown, Owner of Donte’s Boxing Gym, Contributing Writer
Usually when a boxer goes against a brawler, seven times out of 10 I would give it to the boxer. This time I will say Canelo Alvarez will win. I believe Canelo’s pressure and combination punches–along with hurting Erislandy Lara–will help him defeat Lara in a very exciting non-title prize fight.
Prediction: Canelo
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
I predict a victory for Erislandy Lara by KO. Lara’s use of range, ring generalship, counter punching and southpaw stance is going to complicate things for Canelo Alvarez.
Canelo has the advantage in hand speed, but his plodding footwork and tendency to chase instead of cutting off the ring will be used against him. Canelo habitually stands in front of his opponent flat-footed to maximize his power, which should be another stylistic advantage for Lara.
In the past, Canelo has shown periods of inactivity in fights during the middle and later rounds. I’m wondering if Canelo’s forcing of an extra pound to the weight limit is an indication that he may have outgrown this weight class which explains the possible fatigue or inactivity.
My reason for picking a knockout? I still question Canelo’s chin as he was almost knocked out in the first round of his American debut by Miguel Cotto’s older brother, Jose Miguel Cotto.
Lara’s overhand/straight left off the jab or double jab should answer questions about Canelo’s chin, if Lara lands early and often.
Prediction: Lara
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I’ve gone back and forth on this one and still, as I write this, I’m tempted to change my mind. This matchup–similar to the Terence Crawford vs. Yurirokis Gamboa fight–is what boxing should be all about.
Two of the top guys in the division squaring off in their primes. What more can we ask for?
So who wins? I think if Canelo Alvarez can pace himself and not get too overwhelmed early on with Erislandy’s Lara’s lateral movement and superior boxing skills, he can wear Lara down in the later rounds.
As long as Canelo doesn’t try to outbox Lara, we should be in for a treat and possibly a late stoppage for the Mexican Blake Griffin.
Prediction: Canelo
