By Osman Rodriguez – BoxingScene.com
BoxingScene.com put together a poll, where a group of experts gave their opinions on a possible showdown between junior middleweight Erislandy Lara (16-1-1, 11KOs) and undefeated WBC champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (40-0-1, 9KOs). Eight of our selected experts picked Lara to win, with four picking Canelo and eight others believe the fight is a 50-50 encounter. Canelo returns on September 15th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The opponent has not been finalized. Lara, who returns on June 30th against Freddy Hernandez, has been calling for the opportunity.
EXPERT PICKS
Brad Goodman – (Top Rank matchmaker) Lara easy. Taking candy from a baby
Roger Bloodworth – (top trainer) Lara wins the fight. It’s a very good fight but I gotta take the boxer over the puncher in this fight.
Chuck Giampa – (former judge & consultant) Whoever is the best mentally prepared and doesn’t leave it all in the gym. Look at Lopez-Ortiz! Lopez came to fight and was full of confidence. 90% mental. Pick em fight. I’d love to see it.
Rudy Hernandez – (top boxing trainer) Lara by KO in 7. Too quick, strong, experience, and a better overall fighter. Canelo is good, and is not as bad as many may think. But Lara, is better at everything.
John David Jackson – (top trainer) Right now a pick’em but leaning more towards Lara because of his amateur back ground. Both are still relatively young in their careers (experience wise). Both have beaten one good boxer. Lara beat Paul Williams, he didn’t get the decision but he did beat Paul but Paul was a shot boxer by the time they fought. Canelo beat Shane Mosley, a shot Mosley. So over all it is a interesting match-up, boxer vs puncher. Lara has the edge BUT location and promoter will play a big part…….so because of the last two – points a pick’em fight.
BJ Flores – (cruiserweight contender) Not sure. Lara struggled with a bit pressure guy. But havent seen Canelo fight anyone like Lara. Young and hungry. Great fight. Pick-em
Frank Luca – (boxing promoter)- Canelo, unanimous decision.
Kenny Adams – (boxing trainer) – In my opinion I pick Canelo because too strong and explosive, overall the better boxer
Lou Dibella – (top boxing promoter)- Lara… because he’s just better right now.
Stephan Edwards – (boxingtalk.com)- Lara but not by as much as people think. Close good fight, Lara has better feet, Canelo has good hands but his feet are slow
Joelene Mizzone – (Main Events) I’m would pick Lara because of his boxing skills are better then Canelo, but also pick Canelo because he has been more active and fought better competition lately and been in spot light more. Pick-em fight.
Sal “The Italian” Ginarro – (Roma Deli Boxing Club) – Exciting fight. I don’t see Alvarez being able to overcome Lara’s skills. I believe he would knock Canelo out in the late rounds.
Gary Shaw – (top boxing promoter) Lara wins, as he is more skilled than Canelo at this time. His style is also a difficult style for Alverez, as he moves , and Canelo needs someone in front of them.
Joe Quiambo – (DiBella matchmaker) Great styles match-up. Pick-em fight.
Tony Rivera – (cutman & cornerman) Lara might be too slick, must fight the perfect fight. [Keep it] in the middle of the ring. Pick ’em fight
Greg Leon – (boxing advisor) Canelo by unanimous decision, no reason to be protected he can fight. That’s the fight everyone wants to see. Great fight
Orlando Cueller – (boxing trainer) Lara on points or Canelo by KO. It’s a good one! Pick-em.
Ryan Maquinana – (BoxingScene.com/Comcast Sports Net) – As a slick southpaw, Erislandy Lara poses several stylistic problems for Canelo Alvarez. While Alvarez has improved by leaps and bounds as displayed by his last outing against Shane Mosley, especially with his jab, Lara would give him all he could handle. I would still pick Canelo, but out of the matchups at 154 pounds that could be made with him, a fight with Lara would be one of the better ones to watch.
Henry Rivalta – (boxing promoter) Lara wins because he will never let Canelo impose his will he is too technical for Canelo and he will outbox him this is my humble opinion
Chris Robinson – (BoxingScene.com/Examiner) Man that’s a tough one. I really wouldn’t know how to pick that one… All I know is that it would be a dangerous fight for both guys. Pick-em fight
Results
8- Lara
4- Canelo
8 – Pick-em fight
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