Lara Floors Gonzalez Twice; Ramos Takes Interim WBC Title
WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs) scored knockdowns in the first and final rounds to secure a unanimous decision over Johan Gonzalez (36-5, 34 KOs).
The Cuban’s triumph landed on the PBC pay-per-view undercard of Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach, streaming live from San Antonio.
Lara won by scores of 120-106, 119-107, and 118-108, controlling the fight from the opening bell.
He floored Gonzalez with a straight left late in round one, and while Gonzalez remained competitive, Lara’s precise counters and measured aggression kept him in command throughout.
Lara Shows Ring Mastery
“Gonzalez came to fight, and he came to win,” Lara said. “We knew him a little bit, so we made the adjustments we needed. He was a tough opponent, but we executed the game plan.”
Gonzalez, stepping in on short notice, acknowledged Lara’s skill. “I felt a little uncomfortable in the first few rounds. The first knockdown was a punch and a slip. The second was a clean shot from Lara.”
Through the middle rounds, Lara controlled distance, countered sharply, and limited Gonzalez’s opportunities.
A final flurry in the closing seconds of round 12 put Gonzalez down for a second time, cementing Lara’s victory.
“I showed the world I’m 42 and still at the top of my game,” Lara said.
Ramos Captures Interim WBC Title
Opening the pay-per-view, rising Mexican prospect Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. (24-1, 19 KOs) claimed the Interim WBC Middleweight Title with a unanimous decision over Shane Mosley Jr. (22-5, 12 KOs).
Ramos won 117-111 twice and 116-112, combining inside work with powerful counters to secure the win.
“I faced a lot of obstacles,” Ramos said. “I had a right-hand injury and limited sparring in camp, but I told my family there was no way I was leaving San Antonio without a belt.”
Mosley praised Ramos’s effort. “He was the man tonight. I’ll be back and be better.”
Ramos increased pressure late, mixing lateral movement and power punches in rounds 10 and 11. He landed 40 power shots in the final rounds and now sets his sights on WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames.
“I want Adames. I don’t want the interim belt, I want the full champion,” Ramos said.
Conclusion
Both fights underscored the depth of talent on the PBC pay-per-view card. Lara reaffirmed his elite status at 160 pounds at 42, while Ramos’s performance positioned him as a rising contender.
Whether the pair could meet in the future is also a strong consideration.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed dozens of world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside at the sport’s most significant events since founding WBN in 2010. Read full bio.
