Canelo Alvarez VS. Erislandy Lara | Highlights In their matchup, Lara’s lightning-fast straight punches proved to be a challenge for Canelo Alvarez. During several exchanges, Lara’s precision and speed allowed him to land sharp, straight shots that caught Canelo off guard. The Cuban fighter’s ability to quickly close the distance and unload his punches with minimal telegraphing gave Canelo little time to react. On one occasion, Lara's perfectly timed straight punch slipped through Canelo's guard