Canelo vs Lara: Pay Per View Worthy
By Brian Posada
2014 has been a lackluster year for boxing. The four pay-per-views scheduled before July 1st were all busts. Floyd Mayweather vs Marcos Maidana was perhaps the most competitive of the pay-per-view fights thus far. Even if Maidana slowed down the second half of the fight. and Floyd ended up winning in typical fashion - a decision victory where both fighters look like they went for a run.
Saul Canelo vs. Erislandy Lara has the added pressure of being the fifth pay per view in what has been a docile 2014. With boxing politics stealing the headlines, scheduling great "must see" fights has taken a backseat.
By scheduling Canelo vs Lara, Showtime and Golden Boy Promotions, have done their part to do what is best for boxing. Fans should take note. Canelo vs. Lara offers two great 154 fighters both in their prime and eager to prove who is best.
With his Cuban influenced, technically-sound boxing style, Lara poses a threat to Canelo's career. The Mexican star is coming off a dissapointing loss to Floyd last September and a rebound win versus Alfredo Angulo in March.
Lara is the slicker, more accurate puncher of the two. Canelo on the other hand is slightly bigger and also a technically gifted fighter. Not to mention Canelo has a great chin, never being knocked down before, and adds pressure to his opponents off the ropes. This is probably his best shot of beating Lara.
Regardless, this fight is worth the pay-per-view price. Fans, myself included, can’t wait to see who is the winner. Canelo has more to lose, so I see him winning by decision. I predict a couple of knockdowns (maybe one for each fighter) but Canelo pulls out the decision as he lands the more effective punches and presses the action. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Lara out box Canelo a la Floyd Mayweather, and go on to win the decision. I just don’t see Lara hurting him and judges can be finicky when this is the case.
Hopefully Canelo is not underestimating his opponent as his corner men seem to be doing. Lara is hungry, has a lot to prove, and has the skills to back it up.
July 12th is finally here! HBO should really take notes on how to coordinate a real pay-per-view fight worth the money. Cotto fighting shot fighters turning 40 is not the way. Neither is Manny fighting retreads a 2nd or 3rd time.
