Erislandy Lara, the man who journeyed across shark-infested waters of the Yucatan Channel to build a better life for himself and his family, is about to enter the ring against Danny Garcia on September 14th at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The duo will lock horns for Lara’s WBA middleweight title in the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga. However, that’s not the focus of today’s story. 

With his much-anticipated fight approaching quickly, the boxing world has shown a rapid interest in Lara’s personal life, especially in knowing more about Lara’s children and the mother of his children. For the most curious among you, the WBA middleweight champion has five children, and here’s everything you need to know about them. 

Erislandy Lara’s kids with ex-wife Yudi Lara

After defecting from Cuba, ‘The American Dream’ relocated to Germany for a while and, in 2008, made his way to the United States with the hope of building a better life. At 41 years old, Lara is legally married to Yudi Lara, and together they have three children: two sons and a daughter. Their youngest child, a daughter, was born on July 14, 2014. 

The couple achieved a significant milestone in February 2017 when they became naturalized U.S. citizens, taking the oath of allegiance to their new country. While the couple has chosen to keep their children’s names private, it seems that Lara and Yudi may have separated, as there are indications that they no longer live together. 

Lara, the WBA middleweight champion, is currently in a relationship with Karen Álvarez, a young Cuban whom he publicly introduced on social media in 2020. Although Lara and Álvarez do not have children together, Lara has two additional sons from a previous relationship before he even came to the States. 

2 more kids that Erislandy Lara left behind in Cuba

Erislandy Lara’s journey to becoming one of boxing’s best has been far from easy, marked by sacrifices few could endure. Among the most painful was leaving behind two of his children in Cuba—a decision that weighs heavily on him every day, even as he builds a new life in the United States with his wife and three younger children. Despite his success and the comforts of his new life, the ache of being separated from his eldest sons, Erislandy Jr. and Roberlandy, is a constant reminder of the cost of his pursuit.

These sons, born from a previous relationship in Cuba, remain in the country alongside Lara’s mother, Marisol. While improved communication offers some solace due to changes in the political climate, the possibility of reuniting with his sons and mother is still a distant dream. More than anything, Lara longs for the day when he can watch his sons grow, play sports, and attend school—a dream that remains heartbreakingly out of reach.

That said, despite achieving what very few can in the sport of boxing, Erislandy Lara feels his life without his two sons is incomplete. Hopefully, there will be a day when his dream of reunion comes true. What are your thoughts on the matter?