In 2014, a controversial bout between Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara left the boxing world divided. Just a year after his first professional defeat to Floyd Mayweather, the Mexican superstar took on the skillful southpaw Lara in a fight that would determine the No. 1 super-welterweight, following Mayweather and Miguel Cotto’s exits from the division.


Canelo, who had been comprehensively outclassed by Mayweather, made a triumphant return to the ring six months later with a 10th-round TKO victory over Alfredo Angulo. Buoyed by this victory, he quickly accepted the challenge to fight Lara, despite the Cuban not holding a world title at the time but fresh off an impressive win against former WBA ‘regular’ super-welterweight belt-holder Austin Trout.


The match at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena saw Canelo taking on the role of aggressor while Lara used his jab and movement to stay on the back foot. The fight was a close and contentious affair. Canelo landed more power punches, while Lara edged the total punch output, making it difficult for judges and fans alike to determine a clear winner.


In the end, the judges awarded Canelo a split decision victory. Judges Levi Martinez (117-111) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored the bout in favor of Canelo, appreciating his constant pressure and heavier punches. However, Jerry Roth scored it 115-113 for Lara, a decision that many pundits and fans agreed with.


The decision sparked a flurry of debates and accusations of ‘robbery’ on boxing forums. Lara expressed his frustration at the post-fight press conference, stating through a translator, “None of the body shots hurt and he didn’t land any head shots. One thing I will say is that Levi Martinez had [Gabriel] Campillo beating [Beibut] Shumenov in the exact same style fight 117-111 and tonight it is the other way around. How does that make sense? It doesn’t make sense.”

Compubox statistics revealed that Lara outlanded Canelo by ten punches, while Canelo landed 36 more power shots. Media scorecards provided by Boxing News showed a split among 89 journalists: 39 percent scored the fight for Canelo, 33 percent for Lara, and 28 percent saw it as a draw.

Canelo has since cemented his status as the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer, winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight, achieving undisputed status at 168lbs. Lara, on the other hand, has displayed remarkable longevity, winning the WBA super-welterweight and middleweight titles in his mid-thirties and early forties.

Last year, Lara was elevated to full WBA middleweight world champion after holding the ‘regular’ belt since 2019. He defended his title by knocking out Michael Zerafa and continues to reign as the oldest active world champion in boxing at 41 years old.

Lara’s impressive career and his controversial bout with Canelo remain significant talking points in boxing circles, highlighting the unpredictable and often contentious nature of the sport.

Sally Rose