BoxRec

Former super welterweight champion Erislandy Lara (25-3-3) and his longtime trainer Ronnie Shields are no longer working together as Lara prepares for his August 31st fight against Ramon Alvarez (28-7-3).

According to Lara's manager Luis DeCubas Jr. the split was amicable. The fight will headline a FS1 card in Minnesota with the interim WBA super welterweight title at stake.

The 36-year-old former amateur standout is 0-1-1 in his last two fights with the loss coming against Jarrett Hurd via split decision and the draw coming in his most recent bout against Brian Castaño. Both results were controversial as observers were divided on who they believed won each fight.

Training Lara will be a familiar face in fellow Cuban Ismael Salas. Lara was trained by Salas for his first 10 fights which were all victories. Lara has relocated from Houston to Salas' home base of Las Vegas. Over the years Salas has trained the likes of David Haye, Jessie Vargas, Yuriorkis Gamboa and several other top fighters.

Lara vs. Alvarez will now be for the WBA’s Regular Title.9

When you review Erislandy Lara’s resume, it’s all about split or majority decision draws or losses.

If Lara had chosen to maintain the mind-set to focus his efforts on achieving “effective defence”, rather than simply “defence”, then he probably would have gained more victories.

For instance: Lara was employing effective defence during the first five rounds against Canelo, such as making the young Mexican miss and then making him pay. However, from round six onwards, he was being too defensive and simply didn’t let his hands go often enough. Erislandy was responsible for his own downfall in that fight, because he had the capability to win, but he forfeited too many rounds due to his own negative approach.

Unfortunately it’s extremely rare for a 154lb-er to learn from their mistakes when they’re on the cusp of turning 37 years of age, which means the change of trainer will inevitably make no difference whatsoever.

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑08 Aug 2019, 17:39 When you review Erislandy Lara’s resume, it’s all about split or majority decision draws or losses.

If Lara had chosen to maintain the mind-set to focus his efforts on achieving “effective defence”, rather than simply “defence”, then he probably would have gained more victories.

True. WTH these close losses and draws, Lara could today be still undefeated. Had he just done that bit more.