- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.
An amateur Cuban boxer was stopped from appearing in an ESPN-televised fight in Arizona tonight because of problems obtaining a work visa. Erislandy Lara was scheduled to fight at the Desert Diamond Casino in southern Arizona, but found out Wednesday his paperwork wouldn't be completed in time for him to compete.
Arizona's reportedly the only state in the country making it hard for foreign boxers to work here, due to a law passed 18 months ago. CBS News interviewed John Montano of the Arizona State Boxing Commission, who told them Lara was actually one of 10 or 15 boxers who had been stymied by the unique state law.
Lara was apparently somewhat anticipated at this fight, meaning Arizona's diss won't go unnoticed. A handful of people with boxing talent getting the boot, including champs like Lara -- it looks like another black eye for the state.
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.