Erislandy Lara and Company: What Is Next for the Cuban Boxers in 2011?

For several years now, fight fans have been trying to gauge where these top four Cuban amateur superstars-turned-pro stand: Yuriorkis Gamboa (19-0, 15 KO's), Guillermo Rigondeaux (7-0, 5 KO's), Odlanier Solis (17-0, 12 KO's) and Erislandy Lara (14-0, 9 KO's).

This coming year early on, we'll be able to see, as we hope they face tougher bouts. Before their bouts in 2011, l will be presenting a preview for each of the four boxers.

First up for boxing television viewers will be the 27 year old southpaw former 2005 amateur world welterweight champion Erislandy Lara against Delray Raines (18-8,13 KO's), Friday night on Telefutura at 11:30 pm eastern time.

Lara is currently ranked No. 11 WBC, No. 6 WBA and No. 7 IBF at 154 Lbs, Jr. Middleweight. His trainer is Ronnie Shields.

I would not consider this match-up a step up, as Lara has fought opponents with unimpressive records and few fights. I do give him credit for defeating one of my favorite Mexican tough fighters, Luciano "El Gallo Bravo" Perez (17-11-1, 15 KO's), from Chicago by unanimous decision in December 2009.

His opponent Friday night, Raines, has lost by first round KO to Ronald Hearns (26-1, 20 KO's) in April of 2010 and to David Lemieux (25-0, 24 KO's) second round KO in December of 2009. Raines' 13 KO's have come against guys brought in for a KO.

A measuring point in this bout would be to see if Lara KO's Raines early like Hearns and Lemieux did or if he goes the distance.

Stacy Goodson trainer and advisor for Raines would like it to be known that "Ain't no mountain high enough" and that they are "going to California to fight Lara and that hell is coming along with them".

If Lara is to go any further in the Jr. Middleweight division,he must first defeat Raines, then he needs to step it up. His next opponent should be ranked in the top 15 at least.

My next of these four Cuban boxer previews will come on the week of March 19th, 2011, as Rigondeaux will be taking on Willie "Big Bang" Casey in Ireland and Solis will be up against Vitali Klitschko on the same night in Germany.