{"id":796594,"date":"2026-07-13T01:55:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T01:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/796594\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T01:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T01:55:12","slug":"canelo-alvarez-defeated-erislandy-lara-in-one-of-boxings-most-controversial-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/796594\/","title":{"rendered":"Canelo \u00c1lvarez Defeated Erislandy Lara In One Of Boxing’s Most Controversial Decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lara entered the fight as the WBA (Regular) junior middleweight champion and was ranked No. 1 by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and No. 2 by The Ring. Canelo was ranked No. 1 by the WBA and The Ring, No. 2 by the WBC, WBO, and TBRB, and was also recognized as The Ring\u2019s No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter.<\/p>\n

For Canelo, the bout represented an opportunity to erase lingering doubts following his lone professional defeat to Mayweather. For Lara, it was the opportunity to prove he could defeat one of boxing\u2019s biggest stars and establish himself as the division\u2019s leading fighter.<\/p>\n

Both men weighed exactly 155 pounds at the official weigh-in. By fight night, however, Canelo had rehydrated to approximately 171 pounds, while Lara entered the ring at around 166.<\/p>\n

Veteran referee Robert Byrd officiated the bout, while judges Dave Moretti, Jerry Roth, and Levi Martinez were assigned to score it.<\/p>\n

From the opening bell, Lara boxed the way many expected. He stayed on his feet, worked behind his jab and straight left hand, and refused to stand still long enough for Canelo to unload combinations.<\/p>\n

Canelo spent much of the early rounds stalking his opponent, patiently cutting off the ring rather than chasing him. Whenever he trapped Lara near the ropes, he dug heavy hooks into the body in an effort to slow the Cuban\u2019s movement.<\/p>\n

As the fight progressed, Lara\u2019s output began to decline. Although he continued to land the cleaner punches, he threw less frequently, allowing Canelo\u2019s pressure and body attack to become a bigger factor. One of the bout\u2019s key moments came in the seventh round when Canelo landed a lead left uppercut that opened a cut over Lara\u2019s right eye.<\/p>\n

The contest remained close through the championship rounds, with Lara continuing to score with straight left hands while Canelo pressed forward looking for the more damaging punches.<\/p>\n

After 12 rounds, the judges were split. Jerry Roth scored the fight 115-113 for Lara, Dave Moretti had it 115-113 for Canelo, and Levi Martinez turned in a much wider 117-111 score for \u00c1lvarez, giving the Mexican star a split-decision victory.<\/p>\n

The verdict immediately divided opinion. Many media members and fans believed Lara\u2019s cleaner punching, defense, and ring generalship deserved the decision, while others favored Canelo\u2019s pressure, body punching, and effective aggression. Martinez\u2019s 117-111 scorecard drew the strongest criticism, with many observers believing it was far too wide for such a closely contested fight.<\/p>\n

CompuBox statistics added another layer to the debate, showing Lara with a slight edge in total punches landed, while Canelo connected with many of the bout\u2019s heavier body shots.<\/p>\n

The victory improved Canelo\u2019s record to 44-1-1 and kept him on course for even bigger opportunities. The following year, he defeated Miguel Cotto to win the WBC middleweight title before eventually becoming boxing\u2019s undisputed super middleweight champion.<\/p>\n

Lara fell to 19-2-2 but remained one of boxing\u2019s most respected technicians, later adding more world titles and extending his career well into his 40s.<\/p>\n

Despite years of discussion, a rematch never materialized. Golden Boy Promotions chairman Oscar De La Hoya quickly dismissed the idea afterward, saying, \u201cNo one wants a rematch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twelve years later, Canelo \u00c1lvarez vs. Erislandy Lara remains one of the most debated scorecards of the modern era, with boxing fans still divided over who deserved the decision.<\/p>\n

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