by Cliff Rold

In some respects, Erislandy Lara may be having the best professional career of any Cuban since Joel Casamayor. He’s been well featured since his debut, faced a pretty deep swath of the Jr. middleweight division, been part of a pay-per-view event with Saul Alvarez, and now can say he was one half of a Fight of the Year (at least according to the Boxing Writers Association of America).

When he turned pro, Lara and countryman Guillermo Rigondeaux were both seen as tantalizing prospects. In a purist sense, Rigondeaux might be the instinctual choice for the better man and his excellent win over Nonito Donaire counts for a lot.

Lara though has had more opportunity and a greater diversity of wins over the years. His losses to Paul Williams and Alvarez were absurd and debatable, respectively. The loss to Jarrett Hurd last year was a fair defeat but one where Lara engaged in a classic and dug deep to finish.

It’s an interesting debate and one Lara can continue to add to on his side with a win over a younger, hungry talent on Saturday night (Showtime, 9 PM EST). Can the older man keep in the hunt for a Hurd rematch?

Let’s get into it.

Stats and Stakes

Erislandy Lara

Age: 35

Title: None

Previous Titles: WBA super welterweight (2013-18, 7 Defenses)

Height: 5’9

Weight: 153 lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Houston, Texas (Born in Cuba)

Record: 25-3-2, 14 KO?

Press Rankings: #2 (Ring ESPN), #3 (Boxing Monthly, BoxRec), #4 (TBRB)

Record in Major Title Fights: 8-1, 3 KO including two interim title fights

Last Five Opponents: 146-7-1 (.951)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Carlos Molina D10; Paul Williams L12; Austin Trout UD12; Saul Alvarez L12; Ishe Smith UD12; Jan Zaveck TKO3; Yuri Foreman KO4; Jarrett Hurd L12

Vs.

Brian Castano

Age: 29

Title: None (WBA sub-title at super welterweight, 2016-present, 2 defenses)

Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’6

Weight: 154 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Isidro Casanova, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Record: 15-0, 11 KO

Press Rankings: #4 (Boxing Monthly), #6 (TBRB, Ring), #8 (BoxRec)

Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0, 2 KO in interim or sub-title fights

Last Five Opponents: 126-24-6 (.827)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: None

The Case for Lara: While both men have extensive amateur backgrounds, Lara’s was deeper and more accomplished. That background means a fundamental foundation that only a few have been able to deal with. He is steady off the back foot, working the jab and able to counter and force fighters to reset. Against Castano he will have, for the second fight in a row, someone who likes to throw in bunches. Unlike Hurd, Castano won’t be the same sort of size imposition. Lara will have the edge in height and has considerably longer arms. If he can be first, he’ll slow down the incoming and force the younger man to think. While he’s thinking, Lara can pick off single counters and win rounds. 

The Case for Castano: Castano isn’t the quickest fighter but he gets his jab off in multiple, whips a nice right hand around the guard, and lets his hands go in combination when he comes forward. Against an older fighter coming off a grueling battle, energy and activity could be assets even if Castano misses a lot. Hurd made Lara not only fight but fight back in lots of close quarter exchanges. Castano tends to get in and out more. If he can throw off Lara’s rhythm and nail down some early rounds, this will be anyone’s fight down the stretch.

The Pick: Lara has been out of the ring just shy of a year but, at 35, is that a bad thing? Lara hasn’t fought more than twice a year since 2012 so this isn’t really a notable stretch of inactivity. Castano is tough, as he showed in a win against Michael Soro, and he can be smart in choosing when to engage. The problem for Castano is how to overcome the length of Lara. Lara’s left hand, as a cross and uppercut, can be punishing. If Castano comes in and misses, Lara will find holes to land. While the younger man is a live underdog, Lara was still so good in the Hurd fight that it’s hard to think he’s suddenly gone bust. The thinking here is there is enough of Lara, even at 35, to befuddle Castano in too many rounds. The pick is Lara by decision.   

Rold Picks 2019: 12-5

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com