Erislandy Lara: 'My goal is to give Angulo a boxing lesson'

Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11 KO) is hoping to school Alfredo Angulo this Saturday night on Showtime, when the two 154-pound contenders meet for the vacant interim WBA junior middleweight title. This makes sense, because the WBA currently only has a "super champion" (Floyd Mayweather) and a "unified champion" (Canelo Alvarez), so obviously there's a pressing need to have another titlist. It's a good thing these guys will pay them some money to fight for a trinket nobody takes seriously, because someone along the way has convinced them that this is a good thing that will improve their career standing.

Oh, but let's not get too carried away. Here's what Lara and trainer Ronnie Shields had to say about the fight:

Erislandy Lara

"Angulo is a very tough fighter who can overwhelm his opponents with the pressure style he brings to the ring. I know I'm up against a very tough challenge, but he's never been in the ring with a world class fighter like me. There is nothing he does that I haven't already seen. My goal is to give him a boxing lesson and win my first world championship on June 8."

"My trainer Ronnie Shields and I are extremely confident we have the right strategy to expose Angulo's weaknesses. With my co-managers Bob Santos and Luis DeCubas Jr. guiding my career and Edward Jackson doing my strength and conditioning, I feel I'm unstoppable."

Ronnie Shields, trainer

"I don't see any fighters in the super welterweight division that can match skills with Lara," said a confident Shields. "Lara is in a class of his own. He's one of the most advanced fighters I've been around in a very long time and I can say that with confidence."