The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee, granted special permit to middleweight champion Erislandy Lara to fight Danny Garcia on August 5. TGB Promotions sent the request which was studied in depth to determine the most appropriate decision. Team Zerafa was consulted and after arduous negotiations it was possible to reach an agreement between both parties.
The winner between Lara and Garcia, or Lara should the fight end in a draw, is obligated to fight Zerafa within 120 days after their bout. Zerafa may make an optional fight against a WBA-approved contender while awaiting a world title fight in his mandatory challenger’s position.
Imagine Hopkins against either these guys at middleweight..Pavlik would walk through them both same night..
How can you say that? Lara is a tremendous fighter who has only ever lost controversial decisions. He is a guy that beat Canelo more convincingly than Mayweather. Lara is boring, but he’s good, not unlike Winky Wright. He would hold his own with any all time great welterweight or middleweight, and likely lose a bad decision to them.
No, Canelo-Lara was 114-114 to 115-113 either way. I reviewed the fight without sound. Mayweather-Canelo was a minimum 117-111for Floyd, which I had, giving Canelo every benefit of the doubt.
Hopkins yes but Pavlik get real, Kelly was average and overrated
Shoot Hopkins would destroy Kelly too.
Hopkins did beat Pavlik. One sided beat down.
I doubt García would be able to land a left hook on pavlik. I could see pavlik do the exact same thing he did to zertuche to Garcia.
I’m picking Danny in this one.
Garcia fighting at MW? I don’t know about that. Favoring Lara at MW in a split decision.
Zerafa was also rated No1 by the IBF but knocked back a title fight with Falcao and went with the WBA so he also gets step aside money. Win win.
Lara in 12!
How zerafa gets a #1 ranking without fighting any of the top 10, especially with his last 4 opponents of mundine, nawai, hardman and Creati……….typical WBA something smells baaaaad. Must have some money backing him
They’ve been talking about this fight for like a year and even though he’s never fought at the weight, I find Garcia to be a more credible opponent than Zerafa.
I think Lara’s probably the slight favorite, but it’s literally been four years since the last time he’s been in with a good fighter and they’ve both been soooooo inactive. I’m not surprised by any result in this one, really.
I pick Lara to win by Decision against top opponent Lara has come true or questionable results with his losses or close fight with his losses
Lara is too old.
Speed and consistent energy is the first thing to go for any athlete as they age.
The last thing to go is power which is why so many heavies fight into their late 30s and early 40s effectively.
With that said Lara’s length and skill make him a slight favorite but at 40 it’s time to walk away. I think garcia wears him down and wins a decision.
i like swift garcia in this one he is a top notch competitor go get the win danny
Michael ” step aside” Zarafa, can’t fathom how you are rated so highly ,,,time you fought a top ten fighter,but then again I suppose you make enough stepping aside!
You guys are crazy. Lara wins this with ease. If it’s a catchweight I give Garcia a shot, but Lara is a better fighter and a southpaw. Garcia hasn’t had a good win in years.
I wonder if both are too old? Danny seems to not be able to win the big fights, and Lara makes all fights close, but can’t win close decisions. Williams-Lara was one of the worst boxing decisions in favor of Williams that I have ever seen.
Bout’ time lara gets a top name! He was starting to look like bobo andrade, with a belt and still nobody willing to fight him! I hope this fight really happens! Lara is hitting 40’s and aint got much time left! He beat canelo, though!
“TGB Promotions sent the request which was studied in depth to determine the most appropriate decision”
– “Studied in depth”
– Probably took less than 5 minutes to make the decision.
– Thanks for the chuckle…..
Since when is Swift Garcia a Middleweight? Remember folks, this is the WBA, they can do whatever they want.
Well they ranked zerafa #1 despite not facing anyone in the top ten, so I’d say you’re bang on!
Lara by UD, Garcia is good, however, his output is lacking.
Lara gonna knockout Garcia like he did with that bum Cornflake Lamana.
This will be a stinker
At this point anything will do for garcia who has been out of the spotlight for a very long time! He needs to make $ and take advantage of whatever he has left on the tank.
Fight is at a 155lb catch weight, which improves Garcia’s chances.
Unless Lara is completely shot, he beats Garcia ugly. Not the right style for Danny and he left what was left of his pop in 147.
I’ve been wrong before, but I don’t see Garcia winning this one.
Diss should B interesting. Tough 2 pick a winner.