Canelo-Lara probable for July 12 PPV

Canelo Alvarez appears headed for a July 12 pay-per-view bout with Erislandy Lara.

Canelo Alvarez isn't shying away from facing the guy perceived to be the most dangerous potential opponent at 154 pounds, as he and Golden Boy are reportedly working to finalize a deal to face Erislandy Lara on Showtime pay-per-view in July.

Alvarez (43-1-1, 31 KO) made his A-side PPV debut on March 8, ripping Alfredo Angulo in the main event of a show that did solid numbers. Golden Boy and Showtime also pulled some strings and have moved up Canelo's date from July 26 to July 12, which meant that the MGM Grand had to cancel a concert scheduled for that date. The reason is obvious: Top Rank and K2 are working to finalize a July 19 HBO pay-per-view featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Gennady Golovkin. Golden Boy and Richard Schaefer obviously want to get ahead of that fight, so they've leapfrogged up.

There is also the possibility of Lara (19-1-2, 12 KO) pulling out of a scheduled WBA title defense against Ishe Smith on May 2. From ESPN.com:

"We are talking about what we want to do," Schaefer said. "Would we pull him out to have him ready for the promotion? That's part of the negotiations and discussions. I can't tell you what's going to happen because I don't have it done. But if you want to put together a major pay-per-view, the dates are a bit too close."
The risk, of course, is that Smith could in theory upset Lara (however unlikely), or something as simple as a cut or some other relatively minor injury that wouldn't be ready for a July 12 fight, in order to get in a training camp and be prepared like Lara would want to be.

Schaefer also says that Canelo is again looking to prove he's not trying to be coddled and doesn't want to avoid anyone:

"Canelo made it clear that his first choice is Lara because a lot of people, fans and media, feel he would be afraid of fighting somebody with the skills of Erislandy Lara, the same way people thought he wouldn't fight Austin Trout. And you saw what happened."
So it looks like Canelo-Lara is going to happen, and that's a good thing. How will it do on pay-per-view? That's a different question. And even if they're getting the jump on the Chavez-Golovkin fight, should it happen and stay on July 19, if you had to pick one, which would you choose to spend $60 on?

http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/4/8/5593730/canelo-alvarez-vs-erislandy-lara-looking-probably-for-july-12-ppv

Canelo Alvarez will face Erislandy Lara for Lara's WBA "regular" junior middleweight title on July 12 on Showtime pay-per-view, the official announcement coming just days after the fight was considered to be all but a done deal.

Oscar De La Hoya tweeted earlier:


Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe confirmed with Fight Hype that Lara had taken the bout with Canelo, which means Lara has canceled his May 2 defense against Mayweather fighter Ishe Smith. Ellerbe said he understood the decision -- because, you know, duh -- and that he's looking for a new opponent for Smith.

Alvarez (43-1-1, 31 KO) returned on March 8 of this year with his first A-side PPV, selling solidly in a total demolition of Alfredo Angulo, rather relentlessly beating up on him until Tony Weeks made the decision to stop the fight in round 10. That was Alvarez's first bout since his loss last September to Floyd Mayweather.

Lara (19-1-2, 12 KO) is a dangerous foe for just about anyone at 154 pounds, as the Cuban southpaw has the skills, slickness, and power to be a problem. Alvarez, though, has passed every test thus far in his career save for Mayweather, and done so with flying colors.

Who do you like in this one as of now? Will Canelo prove again that he's a top fighter, or will Lara be able to outfox the popular superstar?
Badlefthook.com

Article Link - http://www.boxingscene.com/alexander-soto-karass-finalized-canelo-lara--77064#ixzz2zrHCtsMY
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BoxingScene.com previously reported that a fight between three time world champion Devon Alexander (25-2, 14KOs) and rugged contender Jesus Soto Karass (28-9-3, 18KOs) was being negotiated to be part of a Showtime tripleheader that will take place on June 21st in Los Angeles.

BoxingScene.com has now been advised that the fight has been finalized and will take place on the Canelo Alvarez-Erislandy Lara televised Showtime pay-per-view undercard that takes place July 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.

Hopefully Karass can pressure Alexander into an entertaining fight.

What a robbery, Lara won that fight