Undefeated former amateur world champion Erislandy Lara (12-0, 7 KOs) has made the most of the opportunity since escaping his homeland of Cuba.
Regarded as one of, if not the, cream of the Cuban crop of new professional fighters, southpaw Lara has torn through his first 12 opponents impressively. But, when you have over 300 amateur fights, many against top-notch international competition, becoming a solid professional is not as lengthy a process.
27-year-old Lara was considered a favorite to medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but attempted to defect from the Cuban amateur boxing team in July 2007, during the Pan-American games. However, before he could escape, he was arrested and returned to Cuba. Lara then successfully escaped Cuba via speedboat shortly after.
Fast, precise, always on balance, junior middleweight Lara so far seems destined for big things in boxing’s paid ranks. But ahead lays an ever-increasing level of competition in one of the sports most talented divisions.
Lara will face Gulfport, Mississippi’s “Slik” Willie Lee (17-6, 11 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight main event on the Wednesday, August 18 edition of ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights, live from the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana.
You are in one of the most talent-rich divisions in boxing. How far are you from being ready to challenge for a world title?
I feel that I am ready for a title right now. I have 12 professional fights and over 300 amateur fights. But we know that this is a business and some fighters have the luxury of not being forced to fight the best. I have been after Angulo, Martinez, Cintron, Bundrage, or any other champion out there that is willing to give me the opportunity. I will not let myself, my family, manager, friends and, last but not least, my fans down. But I believe that a lot of these guys are ducking me, but soon they will have no choice but to fight me or get out of my division.
Tell me about your life since leaving Cuba. Is living in the United States enjoyable to you?
Wherever you have freedom it is enjoyable. I had to escape Cuba twice just to get to the US to make my dream come true and I will not let anything stop me. I want to bring my mother from Cuba and I have lots of things I want to do in the US, but first I want to be successful in boxing to take care of my family. That is most important to me.
What do you know about your opponent, Willie Lee?
I know my opponent is a solid veteran with lots of experience. But I have also seen some flaws in him that make him vulnerable to lots of different things in my arsenal. He is also a southpaw, but I’m glad to fighting a southpaw I feel very comfortable doing so, and on the 18th everyone will see.
Experts have said that one of the biggest downfalls for the Cuban boxers is that they seem to lose some discipline once they land in America where things are more available. Are you sticking to your training regimen and keeping disciplined?
100%. Look, I believe that any person, not just a fighter, that has been locked up in captivity for as long as we have, when you get a little bit of freedom, you take it overboard. But thank God that I have been able to stay focused and learn from examples of past fighters that have made the mistake of taking their career lightly and not being disciplined. I train away from home (Miami) and have had a great training camp in Houston with Ronnie Shields. If I want to be the best, and that’s what I strive for, it’s with hard work and dedication.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
On the beach with a margarita in my hand and plenty of titles. haha. No really I see myself as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. I feel that there is no question that I will be on top of this game and for a long time. The hard work, dedication, and skills I have are a rare combination that make greatness.
Tickets for “Battle on the Bayou” are on sale and priced at Ringside $40, Floor and Risers $25. General Admission seats are just $15. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Monroe Civic Center box office.
All government employees with valid government ID will pay just $10 for general admission seats.
The live ESPN2 broadcast begins at 10 pm Eastern, 9 Central.
For more information, www.keeppunching.com.