WBA Orders Belt Consolidation Between Gennady Golovkin and Erislandy Lara
The WBA is burning up the news cycle with the recent ordering of WBA Super middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (42-2-1, 37KO) and WBA Regular champion Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17KO) as part of their belt consolidation process.
THE WBA’S EXPLANATION FOR ORDERING THE FIGHT
According to the WBA, GGG was due to face the IBF mandatory challenger first, but he relinquished the title, thus making the WBA next in rotation. The organization decided to order the bout against Lara per the conditions of a special agreement that allowed Golovkin to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight crown in September 2022.
Golovkin has not been in the ring since losing the trilogy to Alvarez. Following that defeat, the 40-year-old shot down the suggestion that he would retire by promising a return to the ring.
Lara picked up the vacant second-tier belt after scoring a devastating first-round stoppage over Thomas LaManna on May 2021. One year later, the 39-year-old Cuban successfully defended the title after stopping journeyman Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan.
GOLOVKIN VS LARA IS A GOOD FIGHT
If this fight gets made, it’s a good fight between two elder statesman that can still compete at the championship level. Lara is now more flatfooted than in the past, but he can provide angles in the pocket while shooting off quick combinations. GGG’s reflexes have slowed down a bit, resulting in him getting hit more. However, his power remains a crucial part of his arsenal.
The WBA will order pursed bid if the teams fail to come to an agreement within fifteen days. 3kingsboxing.com will stay with this story and provide any further updates.
