Erislandy Lara is a seasoned champion in boxing who solidified his reign as the sport’s oldest titleholder. He ended up delivering a decisive knockout blow to Michael Zerafa during Saturday night’s match.
The 40-year-old Cuban will be 41 on April 11. He was just elevated to the title of WBA middleweight king and made a successful defense of his title.
For ten years, Lara has been a well-known figure in boxing. Despite facing formidable opponents and enduring setbacks, Lara has consistently demonstrated his skills as a formidable contender.
Erislandy Lara levels Michael Zerafa inside 2 rounds to retain his WBA middleweight title.
pic.twitter.com/xwIqmdfHOX— 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝒾𝑜𝓈 (@DiariosJournals) March 31, 2024
He was considered a difficult prospect ever since he was defeated by Canelo Alvarez in a closely contested decision in 2014. After this setback, Lara rallied to take home the WBA ‘regular’ super-welterweight title.
He was elevated to the rank of full WBA super-welterweight world champion in 2016. However, Jarrett Hurd ended up defeating him after two years. Lara followed the same path in 2021 after stepping up to middleweight and winning the WBA ‘regular’ title.
He was promoted to the full WBA middleweight world champion last year, becoming the oldest boxer to hold a belt.
Many believe that since he is 40 years old, Lara is much more beatable than he was in his peak.
However, he demonstrated on Saturday night that he still has a lot to give. On the undercard of Tim Tszyu versus Sebastian Fundora, Lara defended his title against Michael Zerafa.
In round two, he defeated the guy who was eight years his junior with a spectacular one-punch knockout.
Zerafa crashed into the ropes with a single, straight left hand.
When he managed to stand again, he stumbled against the ropes. This caused the referee to stop the competition.
Erislandy Lara’s victory over Michael Zerafa shows his unparalleled skill, resilience, and enduring legacy in the world of boxing. As the sport’s oldest world champion, Lara continues to defy expectations and inspire audiences with his mastery of the craft. He has solidified his status as a true icon in the world of professional boxing.