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Cuban junior middleweight contender Erislandy Lara appears headed for a May 2 fight on FOX Sports 1 against Ishe Smith, where he'll defend the interim WBA junior middleweight title and possibly put himself into position for a fight with Canelo Alvarez in July.
Lara (19-1-2, 12 KO) would be fighting one night before Mayweather-Maidana, meaning more eyes could be on the fight in Las Vegas, where it may be held at the Hard Rock Casino. The 30-year-old southpaw would be a heavy favorite against Smith (25-6, 11 KO), who lost the IBF junior middleweight title in his first defense against Carlos Molina last September on the Mayweather-Canelo undercard.
Lara and Mayweather are both advised by Al Haymon, and Smith is a Mayweather Promotions fighter. Floyd discussed the potential fight a bit at his recent Vegas press conference for his May 3 fight.
The fight would not have TV competition from ESPN Friday Night Fights, as ESPN will be running on Thursday night that week with a Roberto Garcia-Victor Cayo main event from Hialeah, Florida.