IF THERE’S a key phrase for Erislandy Lara at 40, it’s assured. That wasn’t the case in June of 2008, when he left his native Cuba for an unsure future in Germany.
It was Lara’s second try at defecting, and a profitable one after a voyage to Brazil a 12 months prior ended with authorities returning him to Cuba, the place he was banned indefinitely from training the game. For a younger man whose identification was rooted in boxing, having that outlet taken from him was unthinkable. So he tried to depart once more, realizing that his solely solution to compete professionally required doing so removed from house.
He received on a speedboat to Mexico, travelled from there to Germany, the place Arena-Box Promotion signed him to knowledgeable contract, and the information – which made the Reuters newswire – was all good. But Lara was nonetheless a stranger in an odd land, and the longer term was removed from sure.
“Germany was scary when I first got there, because I didn’t know anyone,” Lara advised Boxing News by way of a translator. “Things got better as we started to make money fighting, and I had good people taking care of me, so I got better over time.”
Less than a month after his defection, the 2005 World beginner champion was within the ring, shutting out Ivan Maslov over 4 rounds. Lara’s professional debut was in Turkey, mockingly on July 4, the Independence Day vacation within the United States, a rustic that will quickly play a pivotal function in his life. In different phrases, he was a good distance from Guantanamo, a spot he has not seen since he left 15 years in the past.
“I have not been back to Cuba, but I do plan to go back some day,” Lara mentioned. “I still send money to my family. Right now, I want to finish off my boxing career, then I will make my decision on going back to Cuba.”
Lara, now ranked sixth at middleweight and the WBA belt-holder after holding that organisation’s title at 154, is aware of that he can’t struggle without end, so with a bout in opposition to Danny Garcia scheduled for August, it’s clear that he desires to exit with a bang.
“I’m at the tail end of my career, so I’m fighting for my legacy,” he mentioned. “I want to be remembered as one of the best fighters to ever come out of Cuba, and a fighter who always wanted to fight the best.”
He could have already hit each marks. His expertise on struggle night time is plain and all the time has been, notably when combating one of the best, as he definitely did at super-welterweight the place he confronted the likes of Paul Williams, Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Ishe Smith, Jan Zaveck, Brian Castano, Yuri Foreman and Jarrett Hurd. Yet it was his most notable loss that he considers the struggle that represented him one of the best.
“There have been so many great fights that I’ve been in, but the Canelo fight let everyone know I was an elite fighter,” mentioned Lara of his 2014 assembly with Mexican star Alvarez, which he misplaced by the use of a controversial break up determination. “Although I didn’t win on the scorecards, the fans knew I won that fight, and so did I. That was pure Cuban boxing at its best. Canelo couldn’t touch me. He knows I won that fight, and so did the fans.”
Whether you thought Alvarez or Lara gained that struggle, you must admire the swagger Lara has, and that’s by no means gone away. And as a member of the Cuban boxing college that values method and Fight IQ over every part, Lara has adjusted his fashion because the years handed, going from a slick boxer who many labelled as boring to somebody prepared to commerce on the within if that’s what it’s going to take to get the win.
“At 40 years old, I feel I’m the modern-day Bernard Hopkins, still going strong in my later years,” mentioned Lara, who picked up the vacant WBA middleweight trinket with an 80-second knockout of the woefully overmatched Thomas LaManna in May of 2021. “I still believe I’m one of the best fighters in the sport. Early in my career, I used my legs to win fights; now I’m fighting on the inside, where I feel people will see that I do have power. At this stage in my career, I want to show the fans that I’m a complete fighter. I’m sitting on my punches more, so getting knockouts is something I desire…to prove a point, that I have power.”
Since the win over LaManna, he added an eighth-round stoppage of Gary O’Sullivan in his first protection final May. But it’s the upcoming bout with Garcia that can inform the story, even when the middleweight title struggle can be held at a catchweight of 155 kilos.
“Danny Garcia has accomplished a lot in his career, being a multiple-division world champion like me, so I believe this is going to be a great, competitive fight,” mentioned Lara of the previous welterweight and super-lightweight titlist, who debuted at 154 kilos final summer time. “He’s coming up in weight, so I feel I have the advantage in all areas. My goal will be to knock him out and solidify myself as the premier middleweight in the division.”
If he succeeds, there’s a struggle in opposition to Michael Zerafa ready, however, at this level, Lara isn’t keen on taking part in the obligatory sport. He solely desires marquee-level fights within the twilight years of his profession.
“I think this is a big fight for boxing,” he mentioned of his assembly with Garcia. “You’ve got two proven warriors who are going to leave everything in the ring. Boxing needs the big names to be fighting each other, so yes, I agree, I only want to fight the biggest names in boxing.”
An exit technique like that can solely improve his legacy, however then once more, his story isn’t nearly boxing. It’s about chasing a dream, irrespective of the price, and succeeding. In 2017, Lara and his spouse, Yudi, grew to become residents of their adopted house of the United States, a spot that gave them a contemporary begin that they haven’t forgotten.
“Becoming a U.S. citizen meant the world to me,” mentioned Lara. “I’ve created an important life in America, so I’m very grateful for the chance to dwell life to the fullest. Anytime you’ll be able to encourage individuals, it’s an important factor. I hope my story evokes others to observe their goals and make one of the best out of life in no matter you do.
“Boxing has been a big part of my life since my early years as a kid, and I believe it will always be a part of my life,” he mentioned. “Only God knows what my life will be like after my career is over, but I feel I’ll be part of boxing in some capacity.”
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