Never Judge A Book By Its Cover

The month of June for Boxing was filled with controversy, steroid scandals, and of course great fights. The biggest thing the average outside fan, plus even the occasional hardcore Boxing fan will take away from last month, was the judging scandal of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley. And to there credit it did dominate the headlines of Boxing. Judging in Boxing does need a make over and in do time there will be some changes made.

Another portion of fans may say they take away steroid testing in Boxing still needing a upgrade. Boxing should implement a unified steroid testing policy. But Boxing is doing something right though, other wise no one would be getting caught. Above all though there is one thing that should be taken away from the month of June in Boxing, the future of the sport.

There are problems to be fixed within the sport yes, but more often then not everyone focuses on all the bad instead of the good. And Boxing is still doing a lot of things good. For instance future fights and even future talent and stars in the making. The future shined bright in June.

The week after the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley controversy, we got to see once again one of the more exciting stars in the sport coming up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. back in action. Like his Hall of Fame father Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Chavez Jr. sparkled as he fought his way to a action packed TKO victory, over Irish southpaw Andy Lee. After the fight it was announced that a bout that fight fans have wanted for some time had been made, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sergio Martinez September 15^th. In recent years we have seen possible great fights avoided due to promoters own priorities. This time around we will see just what the public wants, which is a young exciting Chavez Jr. going up against the worlds number three pound for pound fighter southpaw Sergio Martinez.

Then just another week after Martinez vs. Chavez Jr. was signed, a young hungry under dog Josestio Lopez pulled a huge upset over Victor Ortiz. Going into the June 23^rd bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ortiz was the six and a half favorite over Lopez. The stakes on the line were if Ortiz were to win, he would be the next opponent inserted into the Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes. Lopez had other thoughts though as he ripped Ortiz in the 9^th round breaking Ortiz's jaw, forcing Ortiz to quit on his stool giving Lopez the win by TKO. This fight summed up what we love about Boxing. The underdog with no shot, that suddenly battles through the odds to pull off the impossible.

Then lastly just this last Saturday we saw future superstars Erislandy Lara and Gary Russell Jr. take care of business. Cuban amateur standout Ersilandy Lara who still could face Canelo Alvarez in September, dominated Freddy Hernandez. Hernandez at the end simply put, had more cuts on his face then jabs landed. Lara showed why he could be a future number one Junior Middleweight in the world. Also we saw Gary Russell Jr. another amateur standout this time from U.S.A. Boxing run over his opponent Christopher Perez. The lightning fast and powerful Russell made quick work knocking down Perez numerous times before finally getting the TKO stoppage. Even with lesser opposition Lara and Russell both showed why they are top prospects. 

So now as we roll into the month of July and look back at June, don't focus on the problems of Boxing, focus on the future, as well as the good things. With great fights being made, plus upsets, and future stars who hold the ability to excite fans, we should all be excited. The future holds big things for Boxing including more upsets and talent being cultivated right in front of our very eyes . So upon further review are you still bummed about June's downers? Or are you excited at the amazing things we saw? It's okay to believe in a little of both, but if you think Boxing lost in June, then just look again and you may be surprised at what you find.

Will Lara Be Next For Canelo?

Three up and three down. In Baseball thats a great inning of pitching. In Boxing that's a horrible string of luck. And for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (40-0, 29 Ko's) that's how many opponents have dropped out of his upcoming fight. It's a nightmare that Canelo Alvarez is currently still trying to find his way through, on his mission to find a new opponent for his upcoming September 15^th bout. Last Saturday was the latest future opponent of Alvarez's to fall out of the September 15^th bout, as Victor Ortiz was upset by Josesito Lopez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles by TKO. Once again this week Alvarez and his team were sent back to the drawing board, scrambling for another opponent as September 15^th comes closer and closer.

Golden Boy Promotions who promotes Alvarez, reportedly earlier this week said they had the search narrowed down to three possible fights. Since then Golden Boy has stayed some what silent. It was first believed Austin Trout, Carlos Quintana, and Vanes Martirosyan were the front runners. But now there have been rumors of Carlos Molina among others throwing there hat into the Canelo sweepstakes. As more and more possible opponents stack up, Golden Boy Promotions is simply making it to hard on themselves. Sometimes the best answer is right in front of you. In this case the answer is Cuban standout Erislandy Lara.

Erislandy Lara who is back in action this Saturday on Showtime, was a sensational amateur in Cuba earning many accolades. Lara defected in 2008 to begin his pro career here in the United States. Since making his pro debut Lara hasn't let any of the lofty expectations get to him. Lara in his first 15 bouts went (15-0, 10 Ko's). In his last 3 it may appear Lara came back down to earth a little, earning his first lost against Paul Williams in New Jersey. However as most know Lara was brutally robbed in that fight by the three judges. Erislandy Lara for all purposes should be a undefeated fighter much like Canelo Alvarez is. Lara like Alvarez is also promoted by Golden Boy. So why hasn't Lara been considered as a opponent for Alvarez September 15^th?

Most of it undoubtedly has to do with Golden Boy's wish to make more money in the future off the two stepping in the ring together. Even though Lara has been sensational, part of Golden Boy would love for Lara to mow down more competition to inflate his record for the future. Two fighters with over 25 wins is even easier to promote then one fighter with just 16 wins. But that's not even the biggest reason still Golden Boy is staying away from the two squaring off.

Above all at the end of the day matching up Erislandy Lara against Canelo Alvarez at this point in there careers is far two risky. A devastating loss for either of them at this point could derail the loser possibly. And with both being two of Golden Boy's biggest stars in the making, why risk that right now? It would be a phenomenal bout for sure, but for now Golden Boy would rather let the pot percolate some more, for a possible future bout with more money attached.

The greatest challenge for Alvarez right now could be right in front of him in Lara, but don't expect to see this fight signed anytime soon. For now Golden Boy Promotions will stick with the other options put in front of them.