The current WBA middleweight titleholder, Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs), and the reigning IBF and WBO champion, Janibek Alimkhnuly (17-0, 12 KOs), are now officially slated to appear on the undercard for the December 6th, 2025, PBC on Prime Video PPV event, which will take place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Lara, aged 42, and Alimhanuly are set to compete for three title belts in their scheduled bout on December 6th. The victor will find themselves just one title away from achieving undisputed champion status in the 160-pound division. The remaining title, the WBC belt, is currently held by Carlos Adames. Should Terence Crawford decide to move down to the middleweight division and succeed in defeating Adames, the potential for the Lara-Janibek winner to face him for a significant financial reward would be substantially increased.
Can Lara Still Display the Agility He Had in 2014?
The Cuban boxer, Lara, will be entering the ring against Alimkhanuly on December 6th after a 15-month period of inactivity. It will be interesting to observe the degree to which this prolonged absence affects Lara’s performance. Moreover, it’s worth noting that he hasn’t faced any top-tier opponents in recent years, with his last significant fight being against Canelo Alvarez on July 12, 2014. Since then, Lara’s opponents have primarily been of the B and C level.
“My objective is to unify all four championship belts and etch my name into the annals of history,” stated Alimkhanuly. “I have dedicated myself to this ambition through relentless hard work. I have been publicly challenging the champions for quite some time, and Lara has accepted the challenge. This momentous fight is scheduled for December 6th! With divine assistance, I anticipate securing my third title. History is on the verge of being made!”
The Primary Bout Lineup
- Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz versus Lamont Roach
- Janibek Alimkhanuly versus Erislandy Lara
- O’Shaquie Foster versus Stephen Fulton
- Jesus Ramos Jr. versus Shane Mosley Jr.
A noteworthy aspect of this fight card is the positioning of the headlining match. Contrary to the conventional arrangement of featuring a world champion in the main event, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, who holds the WBC interim light welterweight title, will instead be defending his title against lightweight contender Lamont Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs). It is unusual to see an interim champion headlining a card, especially when a three-belt unification bout is featured as the co-main event.
Cruz (28-3-1, 18 KOs) is a formidable boxer, although he is not generally regarded as the top contender in the 140-pound division, or even among the top three. He possesses undeniable talent. Roach is coming off a 12-round draw against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, and now he’s getting another world title shot. The contenders in the WBC’s top 15 rankings at 140 can’t be too pleased at seeing Roach jump to the front of the line, getting a title shot without ever having competed at light welterweight.
“My objective is to unify all four championship belts and etch my name into the annals of history,” stated Alimkhanuly. “I have dedicated myself to this ambition through relentless hard work. I have been publicly challenging the champions for quite some time, and Lara has accepted the challenge. This momentous fight is scheduled for December 6th! With divine assistance, I anticipate securing my third title. History is on the verge of being made!”
