November 22, 2024

Erislandy Lara vs Jarrett Hurd set for April 7

Two junior middleweight titleholders will unify in April.

Erislandy Lara and Jarrett Hurd have a date for their 154-pound title unification bout, as the two will meet at a venue to be determined on April 7, live on Showtime.

Lara (25-2-2, 14 KO) holds the WBA title, while Hurd (21-0, 15 KO) has the IBF belt. They both last fought on October 14 as part of the same card.

Lara beat Terrell Gausha by decision over 12 rounds, while Hurd shined against former titleholder Austin Trout, stopping Trout after 10 rounds.

The 34-year-old Lara has been criticized by some for his opposition of late, with Gausha and Yuri Foreman his opponents in 2017, neither seen as legitimate contenders in what is really a pretty strong division. But fighters have never really lined up to face the Cuban technician, either, and now he’s found someone who will in Hurd.

Hurd, 27, is a rising star in the division and the sport who sprung into the conversation in 2015, when he “upset” Frank Galarza. He’s followed that with wins over Oscar Molina, Jo Jo Dan, Tony Harrison, and Trout, all by stoppage.

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