WBA super welterweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (24-2-2, 14KOs) visited the Houston Food Bank on Friday to meet with volunteers and help prepare boxes of goods for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

The super world champion cut time out of his training camp for his title defense against Terrell Gausha (20-0, 9KOs), that headlines a big showtime triple-header card at the Barclays Center in New York, which is only a couple weeks away.

“When they asked me if I was available to come to the Houston Food Bank to volunteer, I didn’t even hesitate. I was in. No matter how busy I am with training camp, I always have time to help for a good cause,” said Lara.

”Houston has suffered with Hurricane Harvey. I’ve seen the devastation. Coming to the Food Bank with my wife today is my little grain of sand to help a bigger cause. I come from Cuba, an island that is often battered by storms. I’ve seen people lose a lot to Mother Nature. I feel for them.”

When asked if breaking training camp for the relief efforts could affect his preparation for the big fight only two weeks away, Lara said that he was far too much of a veteran to have it affect the fight.

“I don’t think my preparation for this fight has been affected by what happened here in Houston [Hurricane Harvey]. I have endured so much in my life. I had to escape from my homeland to pursue my dream of becoming a professional boxer. I defied the odds and I became a world champion. I got here with hard work and discipline. I’m focused. Nothing distracts me.

Talking further about the fight Lara expects to use all of his experience on the young Olympian Gausha to retain his WBA super champion status.

“Gausha is a good fighter, but he doesn’t know what he signed up for. I’m not a brawler, I’m a real fighter– a technical boxer. I went toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters in the division. He’s in for treat.”