THE middleweight division is set to catch alight in the coming months, with two of the three world champions defending their world titles ahead of an expected unification contest later in the year.
Yet, despite all eyes being on Janibek Alimkhanuly, 16-0 (11 KOs), Carlos Adames, 24-1 (18 KOs), and Hamzah Sheeraz, 21-0 (17 KOs), there is a new contender emerging at 160lb in two-time amateur world champion, Yoenli Hernandez, 7-0 (7 KOs), but it seems as though the Cuban will wait a little longer for his time in the spotlight.
Unifications are all the rage at 160lbs, with WBO and IBF title-holder Alimkhanuly hopeful of becoming the first four-belt champion at the weight and the first to become undisputed in the division since Jermain Taylor in 2005.
Although, both Adames and Sheeraz are keen to derail the Kazakh’s path and the victor of their upcoming battle for Adames’ WBC world title is expected to face Alimkhanuly before the end of the year, in what would undeniably be the most intriguing fight at the weight.
However, there is one additional piece that is needed be undisputed, the WBA marble, currently held by 41-year-old Erislandy Lara, 31-3-3 (19 KOs), who represents another difficult obstacle in the quest for middleweight supremacy.
Erislandy Lara beat Danny Garcia last time out. Image credit: Steve Marcus/Getty Images
With Lara currently out of the unification picture, ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez reported that the awkward southpaw would attempt to defend his strap against fellow Cuban and current top-rated WBA contender, Hernandez, on the Canelo-Scull undercard on May 3.
Upon hearing those rumours, 27-year-old Hernandez has now spoken out on Facebook to deny the possibility of him facing his countryman, admitting that he ‘does not have eyes on Lara’ in a post on social media.
“Good night my beautiful people, I hope you are well, here I want to make it clear that this fight is not going to happen. My objectives are not with Lara right now.
“Stop asking me things that are lies and to the journalists who are saying and spreading these things, please do not say things that are not [true]. I am not one to be on the [social] networks talking what is not true.
“I do not have my eyes on Lara. If you want a fight, ask for the fight with [the person who] is second in the rankings after me, that is where I have my eyes right now. Help me get that fight, not with Lara, stop the fake ads”.
Currently positioned #2 in the WBA rankings behind Hernandez is Shane Mosley Jr, 22-4 (12 KOs), whilst Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna, 38-5-1 (17 KOs), is in possession of the WBA (Gold) middleweight title.
