If Erislandy Lara is going to unify his WBA "Regular" junior middleweight championship, he'll need to defend it against Greg Vendetti first.
The slick Cuban boxer will put his 154-pound title on the line against Vendetti at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night. If Lara wins the nationally televised bout, he can look ahead to facing the winner of WBA "Super"/IBF junior middleweight champion Jeison Rosario and WBC titleholder Jermell Charlo. They fight on Sept. 26.
The 37-year-old Lara hasn't fought since producing a second-round KO of Ramon Alvarez to become the WBA "Regular" junior middleweight champion last August. A year later, the veteran will look to prove that the lengthy time off isn't an issue.
His experience alone should be a factor, considering he has fought against the likes of Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Austin Trout, Jarrett Hurd and Brian Castano to name a few. Lara's three losses — to Hurd, Canelo and Paul Williams — came via split-decision, split-decision and majority decision, respectively, proving what a tough out the technically sound veteran can be.
Lara will be facing a journeyman in 30-year-old Vendetti, who has pieced together two staight unanimous decision wins, including his victory over Michael Anderson last July.
Will Lara claim a victory on Saturday night and watch Rosario vs. Charlo with heavy intrigue, or will Vendetti make a name for himself in what would be a mammoth upset that would shake up the division?
Erislandy Lara vs. Greg Vendetti fight date, start time
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Lara vs. Vendetti card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. Alfredo Angulo vs. Caleb Truax in an IBF super middleweight title eliminator will serve as the co-main event.
How to watch Lara vs. Vendetti: TV, live stream
- FOX
You can watch the Lara vs. Vendetti fight on FOX or live-stream it via the FOX Sports app. The app can be downloaded on the App Store, Google Play, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, Google Chromecast, Fire TV and Android TV.
Where is the Lara vs. Vendetti fight?
The Lara vs. Vendetti fight will take place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Neither Lara nor Vendetti has ever fought at the venue or in LA for that matter. The same Microsoft Theater played host to Shawn Porter's unanimous decision over Sebastian Formella last weekend.
Erislandy Lara record and bio
- Nationality: Cuban
- Born: April 11, 1983
- Height: 5-9
- Reach: 75 inches
- Total fights: 32
- Record: 26-3-3 with 15 knockouts
Greg Vendetti record and bio
- Nationality: American
- Born: May 22, 1990
- Height: 5-6
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 26
- Record: 22-3-1 with 12 knockouts
Lara vs. Vendetti fight card
- Erislandy Lara vs. Greg Vendetti for Lara's WBA "Regular" junior middleweight title
- Alfredo Angulo vs. Caleb Truax; IBF super middleweight title eliminator