Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara fought to a close battle in 2014 (Photo: Hogan Photos – Golden Boy Promotions)

By Chris Robinson

Former WBA junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara knows all too well what’s it’s like being in the ring vs. Canelo Alvarez. The two faced off in July of 2014 in Las Vegas, with Canelo scoring a razor thin split-decision victory that Lara adamantly claims he deserved to win. This past weekend in Las Vegas, Canelo (50-1-2, 34 KO’s) was again in a close battle, as he edged out a majority decision over former lineal middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KO’s) to capture the WBA and WBC middleweight titles.

Lara (25-3-2, 14 KOs) was far more optimistic when watching the Canelo vs. Golovkin matchup, offering praise to both men after the match inside of the T-Mobile Arena.

“Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin fought an amazing fight, it was a true classic.” said Lara. “I want to congratulate both of them for putting together such a tremendous effort to bring the spotlight back on boxing. It would be a great honor to fight either fighter, and I would love to challenge myself against them.”

Lara is coming off of a great fight of his own, as he took IBF/WBA junior middleweight champion Jarret Hurd to the limit before surrendering a split-decision this past April in Las Vegas. Lara has since gotten back to work with his trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston, Texas and he is focused on his next ring outing. He just hopes it could be either Golovkin or Canelo next.

“I am ready to make a statement and to challenge either fighter at middleweight, whether it is Gennady Golovkin or Canelo Alvarez in a rematch…I am ready!” stated Lara.

Let’s wait and see how things shake out.

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com