A boxing ring usually reeks of sweat – that rancid mix of blood, perspiration, and leather. But guess what? As the year draws to a close, a few fans smell something different. It’s the aroma of a Fight of the Year contender! The latest grapevine suggests a high-octane duel may soon join the much-anticipated Isaac Cruz vs. Lamont Roach Jr. card. Scheduled for December 6, the PBC-Amazon Prime event will take place at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center.

Before Cruz and Roach Jr. step into the ring, fans could witness a mouthwatering showdown. The long-sought middleweight title unification between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Erislandy Lara is reportedly in the mix now. The development coincides with the setback surrounding the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman showdown. Slated for October 25, that event was canceled following Fundora’s withdrawal due to a sparring injury. Reports suggested that a few fights from the canceled card, including its co-main, were to be moved to the Cruz–Roach Jr. event.

Janibek Alimkhanuly and Erislandy Lara join for a dance in December

Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger shared a detailed report. Based on information from sources, it appears that Alimkhanuly, the WBO and IBF champion, and Lara, the WBA titleholder, will face off on December 6. Representatives from both sides reportedly reached an agreement and finalized the terms of the fight.

“Alimkhanuly will put his IBF and WBO titles on the line, while Lara will risk his WBA belt. The 160-pound bout will take place on the PPV undercard of the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach PBC on Prime Video,” wrote Coppinger in a post on X.

Another confirmed fight on the Cruz-Roach Jr. card is the super featherweight clash between O’Shaquie Foster and Stephen Fulton. A veteran of 17 fights, Janibek Alimkhanuly, a gold medalist at the Almaty World Championships, remains unbeaten with an impressive 71% knockout rate.

On the other hand, at age 42, battle-hardened Lara remains boxing’s oldest world champion.

Drive and ambition on the go!!

A product of Cuba’s famed amateur boxing program, like Alimkhanuly, Lara was also a world champion before turning professional. For the Kazakh, this moment is bittersweet following the collapse of fight negotiations with WBC champion Carlos Adames.

The two were reportedly in talks, but the bout ultimately fell through. Alimkhanuly has never shied away from sharing his ambitions. Eager to cement his legacy, he appears willing to move up in weight, much like his former divisional mate Hamzah Sheeraz, who moved to super middleweight this year.

To understand the extent of his dreams, you only need to look at his callout of Canelo Álvarez. “Everyone knows that I want to fight Canelo, but he doesn’t (want to) fight me, and everyone knows it,” read his social media post, shared just days after he demolished Andrei Mikhailovich in Australia.

For Texas resident Lara, who made two attempts to defect from Cuba, the first alongside two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux, this is a key moment, as he will be fighting in front of a home crowd.

It’s often said: save the best for last. With Alimkhanuly vs. Lara now joining the lineup, fans of the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach Jr. card couldn’t have hoped for a better finale.

Do you think it’ll be an easy win for Alimkhanuly?