Lara to battle Castano Saturday for Welterweight belt

Erislandy Lara takes on the current WBA Super Welterweight champion Brian Castaño in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions bout this Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 9 p.m.The match will take place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and is being aired on live on Showtime.

Lara (25-3-2, 14 KOs) is stepping into the squared circle looking to rebound after losing last April by split decision to Jarrett Hurd. Before that loss, he had fired off six straight victories which started back with a win of Ishe Smith in 2014.

“I had a great fight against Jarrett Hurd. There was a height and weight difference on fight night but that whole experience is history now. My focus is on Castaño and making this another great fight. It’s great to be a part of awards like Fight of the Year, but now I have to move on to what is next.  Lara said to the media.“This is my third time fighting at Barclays Center and its always extra motivation.

We’ll see what happens on Saturday but I’m prepared for anything my opponent brings to the ring.“I’m here to win and show everyone that I’m the best 154-pounder in the world. I’m going to take a big step in cleaning out the division on Saturday. I’m going to be at my best and bring home the victory.”

Castaño (15-0,11 KO) comes in undefeated having won the welterweight title back in 2016 against Emmanuel de Jesús with a sixth-round knockdown.In his last title defense, he stopped Cedric Vitu in the 12th last March in France.

“There’s nothing left to say, on Saturday night, it’s going to be a war. The best fighting the best. This is a truly elite super welterweight I’m facing and that’s what I want. I want to face the best.” Castaño said in a press release.

“A fight is a fight. It doesn’t matter who is in front of me. Lara is a great fighter, but we have to beat him to get where we want to go. This is the path we’ve chosen to get to that ultimate goal.“I think Lara and I are both very well-conditioned and well-prepared for this fight. I’m in the final stages of my work for this fight. All of the toughest and hardest work is already done.”

2️⃣ of boxing’s biggest Cuban stars take centerstage this Saturday @barclayscenter in Brooklyn when former Super Welterweight Champ @Laraboxing challenges @brian_boxi for his WBA 154-LB title on @ShowtimeBoxing at 9 pm ET/6 PT. #LaraCastano ??

?ℹ️: https://t.co/UPFfiF3hYU pic.twitter.com/QDr7LTKeNj

— PBC (@premierboxing) February 25, 2019