Lara vs. Hurd: Leave no doubt

Sub Lead03-Apr-18by John J. Raspanti

By Allan Cerf

ErislandyLara_JarrettHurd_Showtime

Background: A brawl almost surefire to deliver…Erislandy Lara, the outstanding, crafty southpaw from Cuba, takes on Hurd, the undefeated, heavy-handed young man straight outta’ Maryland. Super-skilled defensive fighter vs. stout and powerful brawler-puncher.

Erislandy Lara is not “arguably undefeated.” He is undefeated – with only politricks and bribed-up judges keeping him from a spotless record. He owned Paul Williams and silenced contrarian Max Kellerman – the whole HBO crew said Williams lost. Versus Alvarez, Canelo’s connections allowed him to not make weight– rather a catch weight of ONE POUND at 155. Absurd! Lara toyed with Alvarez and while announcers credited Canelo with a fictitious body attack- anyone with two working eyes had it for the Cuban, including Showtime. One concludes Alvarez tells himself: “It’s not about winning, it’s about getting results to go my way.” Yet these are two very different things.

Muscular Hurd has a big advantage in relative youth. While not tremendously powerful- 71% of his fights ended by KO, he stopped Austin Trout, a big deal. Hurd has better promoters - with inferior competition, he’s fighting a unification contest at a much younger age. I like Hurd and expect this fight to deliver everything except – if it goes to the cards – the correct decision – though we can always hope.

Fighter’s Scorecards: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Erislandy Lara: B B- B+ B B- B+ A (Average of all) B

Jarret Hurd: B- B+ B- B B B+B- (Average of all) B

ErislandyLara_JarrettHurd_Showtime

Reality Check: Many experts don’t care for the Cuban School of stick and move – though Lara doesn’t move as much as countryman Rigondeaux. Many hold his southpaw jab, textbox foot positioning and sneaky lead lefts (for a southpaw) are inferior in excitement to blood and guts punching. Whatever – if he out-performs Hurd over 12 – he deserves the decision, regardless of style

This fight intrigues in part because of the age, strength and yes, reach advantages owned by Hurd. Jarret stopped the skillful Trout –but Lara is an even better fighter.

Sudden old age aside; if Lara is as good as when he fought Alvarez, the outcome will be down to his punch resistance because I believe Hurd hits as hard as (and would defeat at 154) Alvarez and Lara has yet to be in with this caliber puncher.

Fight and Prediction: I’m a chicken you know what if I don’t make a prediction in a fight for which I literally can’t separate the combatants. Sadly, I think it may be a legitimate draw or narrow decision for Lara and Cuban fighters can’t seem to buy breaks.

I’ll go with Hurd by controversial decision while praying that one of these worthy fighters wins so convincingly (or by stoppage) that the right man gets his hand raised.