Tonight’s PBC boxing card features three title fights, with Erislandy Lara defending his WBA Middleweight title against Johan Gonzalez on the card. Lara was set to face Janibek Alimkhanuly on this card, but Alimkhanuly was unable to fight after having a positive VADA test earlier this week. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs. Lamont Roach is the Main Event of this card.
Check out my best bet for Erislandy Lara vs. Johan Gonzalez.
Erislandy Lara by KO/TKO/DQ (-160)
Lara has won six straight fights, but hasn’t fought since his previous victory over Danny Garcia in September 2024. He hasn’t lost since his defeat to Jarrett Hurd in 2018. Lara has only suffered one loss in the last decade. His new opponent, Gonzalez, has a record of 3604 with 34 knockouts. Gonzalez beat Hurd in his previous fight, the last boxer to defeat Lara. Although Gonzalez is one inch taller (5’10” vs. 5’9″), Lara has the larger standing reach (75″ vs. 72.5″).
With Gonzalez taking the fight on short notice, he is a +450 underdog with Lara being a -700 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. But the better play in this contest is taking Lara to win by KO/TKO/DQ at -160. That is because Lara has won his previous four bouts by finish. Lara is the more talented all-around boxer in this contest and should take advantage of an opponent who hasn’t had a full training camp.
