There has been no shortage of big talk coming from Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara leading up to their hyped July 12 clash, and now Lara's trainer Ronnie Shields is getting in on the fray.
"I think that Lara is just a better fighter, period, than Canelo," Shields said. "You can't take anything away from Canelo, he's a really good fighter, you can't take anything away from that, but understand this, Erislandy Lara has a better amateur career and he's having a better pro career. It's just as simple as that. And Erislandy Lara is one of the best fighters and anybody and everybody who will invite him, so Lara doesn't have a pick-and-choose career. If you take Canelo's career, his career has been pick-and-choose."
The idea that Canelo's been handed his success is something Lara has harped on throughout the buildup. He has said many times that his elusive, southpaw style that he developed in the Cuban amateur system is going to be too much for the sometimes stationary Alvarez to deal with.
"It's a good style match up because I know Canelo's going to try to press forward and press for action, and that's a style I like," Lara said. "I like guys that come and fight, and I pick them apart, like I've done to several guys coming up. These are the fights I like. I like guys who come to fight and I like to put them in the dirt, and that's what I plan on doing."
Lara says Canelo is "arrogant" and "inflated"
Shields agreed. "The most important thing is style, and he's one of these guys that, Canelo, I think is who's in front of you that makes a big difference in any fight, some guys are hard to get out front, some guys are not."
Shields continued with specifics, pointing out Canelo's penchant for throwing quick and powerful combinations. "When you look at the styles, if you look at Canelo, he's a guy, he likes to throw combinations. And that's perfect for Lara, because Lara's a perfect counter puncher. So, as far as style match up goes, this is going to be a great fight."
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