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Few figured that the most volatile lead-up to a bout for Saturday's Showtime event in Brooklyn would be for the 154-pound vacant trinket clash between southpaws Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout, but that has been the case, with each man questioning the other's desire and balls, a buzzword for the event in total, really.
Two days away from fight night, Lara and Trout sounded ready to put the talk in the rear view mirror and get on to the fight itself. They'll meet for the vacant WBA "regular" title.
"I'm happy to bring it back to Brooklyn. New York runs in my blood. A lot of people don't know my mother, my grandmother, were both born and raised here. New York is in my blood," Trout said.
"Over a year ago I came back to New York and I retained my title going against Cotto and I'm looking to have a repeat to regain my title back because I feel like that's my belt."
Trout (26-1, 14 KO) questioned earlier this week whether or not Lara (18-1-2, 12 KO) has the "balls" to win this fight, and the Cuban kept it brief at the presser.
"On Saturday night, I'm going to be ready for Trout and we'll see who's got the balls to win this fight," Lara said.
Trout is focused on getting the belt back after losing to Canelo Alvarez this past April in San Antonio.
"Earlier this year I may have lost it, but I learned a lot from it and it's made me the better, stronger fighter, a stronger man," he stated. "You all are going to see the reinvention of Austin Trout Saturday night."