Erislandy Lara vs. Delvin Rodriguez
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
“The American Dream” Erislandy Lara is defending his WBA strap against the Dominican, Delvin Rodriguez. Rodriguez hasn’t fought in over a year since drawing with Joachim Alcine, but believes the time off has been good for him.
The Friday Night Fights veteran declares he’s in the best shape of his life–good for him. To me that ironically translates into Rodriguez sustaining punishment from Lara that could be unhealthy. It’s uncanny how Rodriguez was crushed by Cotto, then fought to a draw with a journeyman like Alcine, and receive a title shot for your efforts after a year of inactivity. Que sera, sera…
Lara’s methodology is prototypical Cuban; where the focus is on defense, footwork, and counter punching. It’s better suited for amatuer/Olympic scoring, as he’s faced more criticism as his level of competition rose. Compared to Rodriguez, his skill level and power are significantly better and he’s faced better opposition. Rodriguez is a club fighter with fewer skills to offer and a decent punch.
Bottom line, this is a showcase fight, where Lara can dominate and close the show in exciting knockout fashion. The mismatch proves Lara’s looking to impress the critics and land bigger fights in the near future.
Prediction: Lara
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
I like Erislandy Lara. Many think he was robbed against Canelo Alvarez. His slick style gives opponents fits.
Delvin Rodriguez is coming down the home stretch of his career, some think he has already passed the finish line. He has been out of the ring for over a year and odds makers have him as a 16-1 underdog.
Bottom line, Lara is a better skilled, better polished fighter and I see him winning a decision.
Prediction: Lara
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
Delvin Rodriguez at this point in his career is in way over his head against Erislandy Lara, who will be by far the more superior technical boxer in their fight this weekend.
Lara’s shown a weak chin in the past, but Rodriguez won’t be able to find it. Expect a typical Lara snooze fest as he avoids confrontation and picks Rodriguez apart on route to a decision victory.
Prediction: Lara
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Delvin Rodriguez has fought only once, a draw vs. Joachim Alcine, since getting blown away by Miguel Cotto almost two years ago.
He was never in Erislandy Lara’s league and unless he has been bitten by a radioactive spider during his sabbatical he has very little chance of upsetting the applecart of the Cuban southpaw slickster.
Lara by one-sided drubbing forcing a stoppage in nine or lopsided decision.
Prediction: Lara
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
Prediction: Lara
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Erislandy Lara will win this bout, but the questions is how will he elect to do so. Will he allow Delvin Rodriguez to go the distance or will he give Spike TV viewers something to get excited about and deliver a knockout?
I believe Lara can do himself a lot of favors by finishing Rodriguez off in highlight reel fashion. I don’t know if Lara plans on teaching from the Cuban School of Boxing handbook, but he’d be doing himself–and the viewers–a favor if he left that lesson plan at home. Regardless of how he does it, Lara wins.
Prediction: Lara
