Golden Boy Promotions has confirmed junior middleweight contender Erislandy Lara will face Top Rank’s Vanes Martirosyan on Manny Pacquiao’s November 10 undercard at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
According to boxingscene.com, Martirosyan signed the contract three weeks ago with Lara adding his own this week.
The winner of the fight will become the mandatory opponent of the winner of the September 15 championship match between WBC titleholder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Josesito Lopez.
Martirosyan’s last bout was a third round TKO of Troy Lowry in February. Lara scored a unanimous decision win over Freddy Hernandez in June.
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While we’re still waiting on Pacquiao’s decision for an opponent, the undercard is shaping up nicely. Lara, who complained bitterly a few motnhs back that he was being ducked by stablemate Canelo Alvarez, has all the motivation he needs. A win, especially a dominant one, makes it harder for Canelo’s team to continue brushing him off. And on Vanes’ end, Lara is the biggest test of his career after pretty much a year and change of treading water.
As to who wins, you have to make Lara a heavy favorite. The Cuban is an excellent boxer and his counter-punching will pose huge problems for Vanes. Nonetheless, Vanes has power and if he can pose consistent pressure, that could make things interesting. I’m very much looking forward to this one.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 