Demetrius Andrade is looking for a fight, Erislandy Lara needs one, and Andrade's team figures that a matchup between the two top junior middleweights would make sense for both parties, as they hope to goad Lara into a fight the way Lara did Canelo Alvarez in 2014.

Andrade (21-0, 14 KO) had a mandatory defense scheduled against Jermell Charlo recently, but withdrew from the fight over purse issues. Father and trainer Paul Andrade said they signed a contract for a new date with Charlo, who instead will be facing Vanes Martirosyan on March 28 on Showtime.

"We signed a contract to fight Charlo a month ago," said the elder Andrade. "He opted to fight a guy that we beat already in Vanes Martiroysan. I don't even think Charlo will beat him. I can see Vanes out bullying him and win a decision about eight rounds to four.

"That's in the past and now we have to look towards the future. The real fight for us is with Lara. Fighting Charlo would not have done much for us anyway. That would have been like a man fighting a boy."

Lara (20-2-2, 12 KO) returned in December with a wide decision win over Ishe Smith, following his July loss to Alvarez. Andrade's team feels that since Lara talked his way into a big fight with Canelo, he owes someone else the same courtesy.

"We are calling Lara out but he has had no response. He doesn't have a dance partner, so the time is right for both of us," said Paul Andrade. "Lara thought he was cute by calling out Canelo by going to his press conference. He and trying to embarrass him and goad Canelo into a fight. Lara is now in that position. We would go to one of your press conferences and embarrass you but you don't even have a fight on the table, so there is no press conference for you.

"Why don't you step up like Canelo and be a man and accept our challenge like Canelo did for you? I guess it's not so cute for him anymore. And if you do step to the plate, you can bring your running shoes because you are a better runner than boxer."

Co-promoters Artie Pellulo of Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing are both on board with the idea.

"This is a fight that Demetrius wants," said Pellulo. "Last year he wanted wanted a fight with Canelo. Canelo had and has other plans now so why not fight the man who some people believe beat him in Lara?"

"We feel Demetrius is the best junior middleweight in the world and the way to prove that is to fight the best," DeGuardia added. "Erislandy Lara has proven to be at the top of the division. This is the type of fight that will show the boxing world that Demetrius is a star."

Andrade, 27, hasn't fought since a successful and one-sided first title defense last June against Brian Rose.