This was about three years ago. Lara was a fighter who came up through the Kronk gym, and was for a (short) time probably the most hyped prospect in boxing. Mainly cause of Emmanuel Steward, who called him the future of boxing, the best prospect in boxing, the next Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

And he lost two of his first nine fights (to a guy with like a 2-2-2 record and a 7-5 record) and retired a couple of years ago. I just think its such a bizarre story, I mean he was so hyped up and then he just completely disappeared.

Anybody ever see him fight?

Here's a couple articles about him.

:: Golden Boy Promotions Inc. ::

Mexican Favorite Octavio Lara Ends Boxing Career

^ Did we always have that smilie?

That is one fantastic smilie

Yes I remember seeing him on I think an HBO Latino card before that's weird you're right he was one of the most hyped guys in boxing and he just completely disappeared I haven't heard the name probably since I saw that fight.

That was a good article the second one, cool of Steward to pay for his college. Wonder what he's up to now.

Steward was so high on him, for people that think he went over the top with Andy Lee they should have heard him talk about Lara.

It makes you think, does Steward way overhype these guys in order to develop self-confidence or has he kind of lost it a bit as far as judging talent. Not that Lee's career is over but the hype was way over the top.

Originally Posted by OumaFan

^ Did we always have that smilie?

No that one from the new ones Saddo just put...




Ofcourse I remember Lara, he was allover the TV here in L.A. and in the newspapers. You know something Ouma I had completely forgotten all about him but I guess that's to the fact that around the time he came on I was SOOOOO high on "Panchito" Bojado & Cotto that I just forgot about him. I remember Lara was even at a parade out here something about "Future Stars" or some shit like that....

I know this posting is old but I heard about this posting a couple weeks back. My cousin googled my name and came across this site. To answer your guys questions it was I that decided to step away form boxing. Sometimes things dont work out how you plan them and I decided to move on and do something else with my life. Steward was and will always be a friend of my family and mine. The first time I lost as a professional Ihad problems on the side the same week of the fight. Its no excuse for the loss because Ramirez was a tough and durable opponent. I did what I could for the first 2 or 3 rounds and hurt him but just couldnt finish him off. My mind was not in the fight. I surrounded myself with the wrong people and had "friends" that didnt do me any good and I paid a high price for that mistake. I was in jail for something so stupid days befroe the fight and if it wasnt for Steward I would probably still be there. I left boxing for the next 2 yrs. I had to go thru a lot and gather myself together and when I did I started training again. I fought a few more times fighting at 140 and 147 pounds even though I didnt wiegh it. I just wanted to prove myself to everybody and I didnt care who I fought. I had another lose to another boxer who was also tough and made it mostly a wrestling match but I still take nothing away from Martinez he did what he had to in order to win. I didnt let that get to me I kept trainig hardand fought again. This time on the same card Andy Lee made his debut and he was the co-main event. Along with the main event that was Jonathon Banks. I won in the second round, I never thought that was gonna be my last fight. I trained and trained and 6, 7, 8 months past and still I had not had another fight since. While Andy and Jonathon were fighting often and winning. Thats when I decided to step away again. I believe in karma and I think I paid the price for the previous mistakes I did when I had everything in my favor yrs before. I never even thought about going with anybody else because even though Steward and I never had a formal contract we gave each other our word. That to me is more then a signed paper. I could never see myself with another promoter or manager under a different banner other then KRONK. That was my 2nd home. I think I am living proof of somebody that could have had everything and didnt know or understand how to keep things in line and let some "friends" pull me down. It was my fault for not being smarter. Now I just work a part-time job I have no kids and sometimes I go to a local gym to help young boxers and teach them things that were taught to me. I wish all the boxers from the Kronk Gym the best of luck in all their fights as for me my fighting days are over. I dont believe that Steward over hyped any of us. He has an eye for talent and knows what he is talking about its up to the fighters to respond.

Originally Posted by Lara84

I know this posting is old but I heard about this posting a couple weeks back. My cousin googled my name and came across this site. To answer your guys questions it was I that decided to step away form boxing. Sometimes things dont work out how you plan them and I decided to move on and do something else with my life. Steward was and will always be a friend of my family and mine. The first time I lost as a professional Ihad problems on the side the same week of the fight. Its no excuse for the loss because Ramirez was a tough and durable opponent. I did what I could for the first 2 or 3 rounds and hurt him but just couldnt finish him off. My mind was not in the fight. I surrounded myself with the wrong people and had "friends" that didnt do me any good and I paid a high price for that mistake. I was in jail for something so stupid days befroe the fight and if it wasnt for Steward I would probably still be there. I left boxing for the next 2 yrs. I had to go thru a lot and gather myself together and when I did I started training again. I fought a few more times fighting at 140 and 147 pounds even though I didnt wiegh it. I just wanted to prove myself to everybody and I didnt care who I fought. I had another lose to another boxer who was also tough and made it mostly a wrestling match but I still take nothing away from Martinez he did what he had to in order to win. I didnt let that get to me I kept trainig hardand fought again. This time on the same card Andy Lee made his debut and he was the co-main event. Along with the main event that was Jonathon Banks. I won in the second round, I never thought that was gonna be my last fight. I trained and trained and 6, 7, 8 months past and still I had not had another fight since. While Andy and Jonathon were fighting often and winning. Thats when I decided to step away again. I believe in karma and I think I paid the price for the previous mistakes I did when I had everything in my favor yrs before. I never even thought about going with anybody else because even though Steward and I never had a formal contract we gave each other our word. That to me is more then a signed paper. I could never see myself with another promoter or manager under a different banner other then KRONK. That was my 2nd home. I think I am living proof of somebody that could have had everything and didnt know or understand how to keep things in line and let some "friends" pull me down. It was my fault for not being smarter. Now I just work a part-time job I have no kids and sometimes I go to a local gym to help young boxers and teach them things that were taught to me. I wish all the boxers from the Kronk Gym the best of luck in all their fights as for me my fighting days are over. I dont believe that Steward over hyped any of us. He has an eye for talent and knows what he is talking about its up to the fighters to respond.

well man good luck with everything, welcome to the site