Erislandy Lara Handles Johan Gonzalez, Scores Two Knockdowns

On December 6 in San Antonio, USA, a 12-round fight for the WBA Middleweight title took place between Cuban champion Erislandy Lara and Venezuelan challenger Johan Gonzalez.

The bout ended in a unanimous decision: 118–108, 119–107, and 112–106 for Lara. Erislandy dropped his opponent twice — in rounds 1 and 12.

For Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs), it was his first win not by stoppage since 2020, snapping his run of four straight knockouts. Gonzalez (36-5, 34 KOs) took the fight on short notice, replacing Janibek Alimkhanuly, who returned a positive doping test. For the Venezuelan, it was his second loss in his last three fights.