Erislandy Lara Opens Up on How Improved Cuba-USA Relations Have Changed His Life

There are good back stories. And then there are better ones.

It’s no reach to suggest Erislandy Lara’s story belongs in the second batch.

The Cuban stylist was a favorite for gold at the 2008 Olympics before a decision to flee the Communist island abruptly ended his amateur career and ushered in a professional phase that’s yielded the 154-pound titles he’ll defend Saturday night.

The IBO and WBA champion meets second-time foe Vanes Martirosyan in the main event of a three-bout Showtime broadcast that begins at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday from the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. He and Martirosyan, now the IBO's No. 3 contender, fought to a nine-round technical draw in 2012.

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In fact, Lara actually defected from Cuba twice, too—failing in his initial attempt during a competitive trip to Brazil before succeeding the second time in Germany—because the desire to better the lives of his children simply wouldn’t quit.

“Every time I would come back from an international tournament it was back to poverty,” Lara told Bleacher Report via an interpreter.

“I would always hear about boxers from other countries becoming world champions. I knew I had to leave so I (could) provide for my family and give them a better life. On the day I fled the first time I was scared. I didn’t know anyone and the whole experience was disheartening when we got caught. It was a very scary time."

Lara ultimately left two sons and other close family members—including his mother—and hasn’t seen them since he left.

Communication was nonexistent after his defection until he settled in Germany.

Now 33, he’s since relocated to Texas to work with trainer Ronnie Shields, added to the family with two more sons and a daughter and begun the process to become a U.S. citizen. These days, the man who claims he’s “living the American Dream” has been able to speak to the family back home about once a month.

“The thought of never seeing my mom and two boys made me very sad,” he said. “It was a very difficult decision. I haven’t made it back yet, but hope to one day.”

He’s particularly optimistic because of a dramatic thawing of relations between the U.S. and Cuba, which had been formally cut off from one another since 1961.

The historic process began in late 2014 when President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro announced the reopening of the countries’ respective embassies in Washington, D.C., and Havana.

Needless to say, it triggered a visceral reaction from the Guantanamo native.

“When I saw that on the news, I got very emotional,” Lara said.“I was filled with happiness because I know now that there might be an opportunity to see my family again if the relationship between the Cuba and the U.S. continues to grow in a positive direction. I really do believe that I’ll be able to see them in the near future.

"I’m praying that will happen.”

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The rapprochement has gathered momentum with Obama’s visit to Cuba in March and the subsequent easing of travel restrictions for U.S. airlines and cruise ships.

Even the Rolling Stones had a role, playing a free concert for tens of thousands in the Cuban capital.

And the better things get, the more Lara hopes.

“I can’t speak for everyone back home but I’m assuming they are all very happy with the current situation," Lara said. "I’m sure all the athletes are dreaming of becoming professional so they can provide for their families. I envision seeing a peace treaty where all Cubans and Americans will be able to cross borders freely. I’m hoping sometime in the next five years or so.

"We must all be patient and let the diplomats do their jobs.”

Nevertheless, he’s not sure to what extent—if at all—Cuban authorities have shared details of his career, which has included defeats of ex-champions Austin Trout and Ishe Smith and widely disputed losses to Paul Williams and Canelo Alvarez.

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The Williams fight was named 2011’s worst decision by Boxing Scene, and the Alvarez result in 2014 prompted Shields to tell Boxing Channel (Warning: Video contains NSFW language) that Lara made Canelo “miss like a f--king amateur” and that "Stevie Wonder could have judged the fight."

They are Lara’s only losses in 26 pro fights.

And whether they know him in Cuba or not, though, it's his ultimate goal to bring his act back firsthand—provided he can be sure that all is forgiven with the powers that be.

"It would be a dream for me to fight back home, but only if it was safe for me and my family," he said. "It would be a very scary situation for me to go back knowing that I defected twice.

"It would be a very hard decision to make, but I would very much like to fight in front of my countrymen."