World Champion Lara Talks Title Showdown, Sparring Top Prospects, 2018 Fight of the Year Against Jarrett Hurd & More Before Taking on WBA Super Welterweight Champion Brian Castaño Saturday, March 2 Ndụ na showtime®site
Barclays Center na Brooklyn
Pịa EBE A for Photos from Hosanna Rull/Team Lara
Naan i any i (February 20, 2019) – Former super welterweight world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will look to reclaim a piece of the 154-pound crown when he challenges WBA champion Brian Castaño na satọde, March 2 na-na SHOWTIME si Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, na n'ihu site Premier Boxing agbachitere.
“Brian Castaño is coming into this fight with an undefeated record, ma ọ bụ ihe ọ bụla m hụrụ tupu,” kwuru Lara. “This will be my third fight in a row versus an undefeated fighter. M na-ewere nke a kpọrọ ihe nke ukwuu. Stylistically, I feel I’m the superior fighter, but he’s a very strong champion. I will be prepared to take back a title in this great division, then look to the biggest fights that are out there.”
One of the big fights that could be out there for Lara is a rematch with unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd. Lara dropped a split-decision to Hurd in a unification showdown on SHOWTIME that was the consensus 2018 “Ọgụ nke Year”, having been recognized by the BWAA, ESPN and Sporting News, n'etiti ndị ọzọ.
“The fight against Hurd was a great fight for the fans, but I felt I won seven or eight rounds that night,” kwuru Lara. “To be on the wrong end of another close decision left a bad taste in my mouth. That fight being recognized as ‘Fight of the Year’ shows my versatility as a fighter. I was on the ballot before with Alfredo Angulo, so it was good to get recognized for being a warrior, not only a craftsman. I will always give the fans my all and come March 2, it will be no different.”
Lara is continuing to to work with longtime trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston, where Lara has prepared for his matchup with sparring that includes going up against top prospects in 18-year-old Joey Spencer and 24-year-old Eimantas Stanionis.
“Ronnie and I are working great together, and we have an excellent game plan in place.,” kwuru Lara. “This is one of the better camps I’ve had the last few years. Having young fighters like Spencer and Stanionis in camp with me is refreshing because I know they are hungry. Mgbe anyị na-spar, I feed off their energy, because I know they are trying to take take their game to the next level, which makes me better. This is a demanding sport and they are definitely pushing me.”
March 2 also gives Lara a chance to share the stage with another one of Cuba’s best fighters, as Luis Ortiz is set to take on Christian Hammer in the co-main event, making the night a celebration of Cuban boxing.
“Luis Ortiz and I go way back and I’m happy that my brother is fighting on the same card as me,” kwuru Lara. “We’ve gone through a lot since leaving Cuba to pursue our dreams of becoming world champions here in the U.S. Like myself, I know he’s going to be ready to entertain the fans on fight night and make this a memorable night for Cuban boxing!”
Tiketi maka ihe omume, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, ma ọ bụ site na-akpọ 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group ego dị site na-akpọ 844-BKLYN-GP.
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