Home News Erislandy Lara: My first choice is Gennady Golovkin, but I’ll fight anyone...

Erislandy Lara: My first choice is Gennady Golovkin, but I’ll fight anyone from welterweight to middleweight

Credit: Amanda Westcott / Showtime

Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (23-2-2, 13 KOs), fresh off his rematch victory over Vanes Martirosyan, is looking for a big fight against just about anybody. But if that doesn’t happen, he’ll be focused on breaking the record for most consecutive title defenses at 154 pounds. The record, which was set by Gianfranco Rosi with 11 defenses of the IBF title, has stood strong since January of 1993.

If potential showdowns at middleweight with champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin or a rematch with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez can’t come to fruition, then Lara will happily defend his titles with honor.

“I’m ready to step up and fight anyone in my division or if a big fight can be made at middleweight I’m willing to be great,” said Lara.

“My first choice is to fight GGG. My next choice would be to have a rematch with Canelo. If either fight can’t be made, then my focus will be to put my name in the record books. All the fights at this level are tough so to break the record for most consecutive title defenses at super-welterweight would be unbelievable.”

“I’m ready to fight anybody between welterweight and middleweight,” he said.

My first choice is to fight GGG because I feel he’s the toughest opponent and would be a fight that would solidify my legacy. My next choice would be to have a rematch with Canelo because we all know there’s unfinished business with lots of controversy. If either fight can’t be made, then my focus will be to put my name in the record books and defend my titles 12 times to break the record and unify them all at the same time.”