Canelo-Lara set for July 12

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (43-1-1, 31 KO’s)  will face WBA light middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12 KO’s) for his title on July 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canelo Alvarez said this on his twitter today: “Ready!  July 12, 2014 – Canelo vs. Lara. We are going to give you what you want.” 

This means Lara has canceled his May 2 defense against former IBF champion Ishe Smith.

Canelo returned on March 8 with a total demolition of Alfredo Angulo, rather relentlessly beating up on him until referee Tony Weeks made the decision to stop the fight in round 10. That was Alvarez's first bout since his loss last September to Floyd Mayweather.

Lara is a dangerous foe for just about anyone at 154 pounds, as the Cuban southpaw has the skills, slickness, and power to be a problem. Alvarez, though, has passed every test thus far in his career bar Mayweather, and done so with flying colors.

However, this could be  a good fight for Lara, a big win over Canelo will go long ways to making Lara a household name. Lara will need to outbox the Mexican superstar over the 12 rounds, while Alvarez will seek to test the chin of the Cuban fighter given Lara was put down twice by Angulo in June, which sets up an intriguing bout and should settle who is the best fighter in the 154 division.