Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that Jr. Middleweight Erislandy Lara will take on former world title challenger Ronald Hearns plus undefeated Featherweight prospect will see action on the Victor Ortiz – Andre Berto undercard that will take place on February 11th on Showtime. All three bouts will be televised.
“We are happy to have Lara back in the ring and I have a feeling it will be a great 2012 for him. This fight is only going to be the start of a great year for him,” said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions. “At 154 pounds he is a threat to anyone and we are also excited about having Gary on the card. He’s one of the best prospects in boxing.”
“I think it’s a good fight and a good fight for Lara to stay sharp in and then move on to bigger and better things,” said Luis DeCubas Jr. who manages Lara. “We’re really pleased to be on such a big card. Ronald comes from a good background. He’s tall and lanky and has good power like his dad (newly elected International Boxing Hall of Famer Thomas Hearns) and I think Lara deals well with tall, lanky guys. I just have to get the kid back in the ring. I would love a huge fight for him, but he has to just get back in the ring.”
“Ronald is the right guy for Lara to shine against,” DeCubas said. “Lara wants to fight the best guys in the world but they won’t fight him, so let’s see where this takes us. Lara is willing to move up a few pounds to show he would be a good candidate to fight (middleweight champ) Sergio Martinez or any other top middleweight.
“It’s an interesting fight because Ronald can really punch and he is the bigger man than Lara,” said Lou DiBella, Hearns’ promoter. “This is definitely a winnable fight for Ronald and I know he’s going there to win.”
