'That was disgraceful': Boxing world horrified by 'grotesque' moment
Boxing fans have vented their fury over what's being labelled a "disgusting mismatch" in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Fighting on an exciting card that included heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr's unanimous points victory against Chris Arreola, it was the WBA ‘regular’ title showdown between Erislandy Lara and Thomas Lamanna that caused an uproar.
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Lara famously lost a 2014 bout against super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez via a controversial split-decision.
Stepping into the ring against Thomas Lamanna - an American fighter nicknamed 'Cornflake' who had lost four times in his professional career - few expected Lara to be troubled.
However, the manner of the Cuban's victory still came as a shock to many viewers.
Lamanna wore a series of devastating punches from Lara after the Cuban had promised to KO the American fighter early on.
The 38-year-old followed through on that promise with less than 80 seconds gone in the first round when he caught Lamanna with a brutal left hook to the side of the face.
Lara pierced the almost non-existent defence of the American with a ferocious shot that clocked his opponent in the ear.
Lamanna dropped the canvas in a heap as the referee immediately jumped in to put a stop to the fight.
Medical staff then rushed into the ring to attend to the stricken fighter.
Viewers outraged by obvious mismatch
Respected boxing analyst Dan Rafael tweeted his outrage at what had just transpired, questioning how the WBA sanctioned the fight in the first place.
“Lara vs Lamanna was an even more atrocious mismatch than I even imagined. That was a disgraceful match-up,” he posted.
“It was a grotesque mismatch.
“I don’t hate Lara. I hate disgusting mismatches. He’s had three in a row.”
Plenty of other viewers were similarly disgusted over what was an obvious gulf in class between the two fighters.
Wow, Erislandy Lara with the big Rd. 1 KO win. pic.twitter.com/wY2yePHoYb #boxing #LaraLamanna #PBConFOX
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) May 1, 2021
Lara vs Lamanna was an even more atrocious mismatch than I even imagined. That was a disgraceful matchup. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 1, 2021
Lara-LaManna was a gross mismatch when it was made, and it was even grosser in the ring. Lara, first round knockout. Just a laughable mismatch.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) May 1, 2021
Complete mismatch, Lamanna should never have been in there with Lara. Only a tinpot WBA Regular title but again shows what a farce they have become. To think some even gave Lamanna a chance and one suggested "there are worse bets out there" - really??!! 😱
— Gary Graham (@GaryGra20623363) May 2, 2021
HOLY WOW.
One-shot knock out by Erislandy Lara! Absolutely starches Thomas Lamanna.— Dan Canobbio (@DanCanobbio) May 1, 2021
... AND JUST LIKE THAT Lara frosts Corn Flake with a vicious overhand left hook to score the first-round knockout.
A mismatch of the highest orders.
Lamanna was laying motionless in the middle of the ring for a few minutes before regrouping on his stool. https://t.co/OBroHdotib— Manouk Akopyan (@ManoukAkopyan) May 1, 2021
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