Fight week kicked off Wednesday with media workouts at the UNLV Boxing Gym for the six fighters competing in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader of 154-pound world title fights this Saturday, May 21 from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Working out Wednesday and headlining the event were WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara and top contender Vanes Martirosyan. Televised coverage begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo taking on former champion Austin Trout plus undefeated challenger Jermell Charlo battling hard-hitting John Jackson for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.
Here is what Erislandy Lara had to say Wednesday:
ERISLANDY LARA
"I'm not surprised that I'm fighting Vanes again. It's my job to fight whoever they put in front of me.
"I felt that I was a better fighter than him the first time and I'm a little better in almost every area since. One of the most important things is my way of training and my way of getting prepared. I feel that I am much more mature.
"I like being back in Las Vegas again. I'm definitely prepared to do what I do - and that's win.
"After I win Saturday, I would love to fight GGG or Canelo, but I would prefer GGG. It's not frustrating that I'm not fighting the biggest names all the time. I'm a headliner.
"I don't feel any pressure. I'm just going to do my job and just keep winning. As long as I keep winning, everything will take care of itself."
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions