Erislandy Lara vs. Johan Gonzalez Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Dealing with a late replacement opponent can be dangerous.

Erislandy Lara will look to use his worldly boxing experience to avoid an upset Saturday night when he defends his WBA middleweight world championship against Johan Gonzalez at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, and live on pay-per-view. Gonzalez stepped in late for Lara’s original opponent Janibek Alimkhanuly who failed a test for an adverse finding.

The eye test has Lara, 42, not showing his age at all, in prime condition with the dazzling ring results to boot. That is especially true of late as the Cuban fighter has produced four straight stoppage wins against younger opponents, having last defeated Danny Garcia in September 2024. Meanwhile, Gonzalez is coming off a split-decision win over Jarrett Hurd in March.

Will it be business as usual for Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) in methodically dismantling another title challenger? Or will the hard-hitting Gonzalez (36-4, 34 KOs) swoop in for a mega upset? DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both the champion and challenger in this title bout.

Erislandy Lara’s Keys to Victory

Fire the sniping left hand in traffic

Erislandy Lara has a piston-like left hand. So, the fact that the shot gave Johan Gonzalez problems in a knockout loss to Yoenis Tellez in October 2024 bodes well for the WBA middleweight world champion.

The Cuban southpaw Lara should look to split Gonzalez’ guard early with that sniping left hand in traffic. He does that and it could be a long night ahead for the challenger.

Wrap the left hook around the guard

A left hook wrapped around Gonzalez’ lax guard proved to be the knockout blow in his loss to Tellez.

And the shot is a natural part of Lara’s fight game as a southpaw. Splitting the guard with that left cross and piecing together a left hook around the guard could be a defining combination Lara should look to exploit Gonzalez with.

Prod away steadily

At 42, Lara continues to be the consummate ring general, pragmatic in his approach with plenty of sweet science savvy.

Him prodding away steadily round after round should give the middleweight champ all the intel needed to either win on points or produce his fifth straight knockout victory.

Johan Gonzalez’ Keys to Victory

Take chances, but don’t overextend on punches

Johan Gonzalez has a decent jab but sometimes overextends on it and other punches.

Making this mistake against Erislandy Lara will give the champion too much of an opening to make Gonzalez pay.

He must keep his gambling shots compact and get back to a disciplined guard to have a legit chance in this fight.

Piece together body, head combos

Watch Gonzalez and the gutsy Venezuelan fighter does a nice job pounding away at the body and seamlessly turning the shot into a looping right to the temple.

This should be a combination that Gonzalez pieces together often in attempt to break the champion down.

Pressure, crank up the volume

Against an efficient ring operator like Lara, Gonzalez cannot afford to let the champion pluck away at him round after round. Lara is just too good, too savvy.

That said, the challenger must pressure with forward-fighting volume in cutting off the ring and taking his best hard-hitting shots in attempt of the upset.