One man’s loss is another man’s gain.

That’s exactly the case for Johan Gonzalez, who stepped in as a fight-week replacement to face WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara on Saturday night after it was revealed Tuesday that his original opponent, Janibek Alimkhanuly, failed a VADA anti-doping test for the performance-enhancing drug Meldonium.

Although the 42-year-old Lara won’t be fighting in a meaningful title unification bout anymore, the silver lining for the sport’s oldest champion is that he can remain active by gracing the squared circle for the first time in 15 months against a credible contender.

Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) and Gonzalez (36-4, 34 KOs) will fight at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, as part of a PBC on Prime Video PPV event headlined by the junior welterweight fight between Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach Jr.

“This is absolutely a dream come true,” Gonzalez said during a press conference on Thursday. “I found out six days ago that I was going to fight. It’s a testament to staying ready and being ready. Now I am here to win and take the world title. I know I can do it. That’s my mission. I am going to show everybody what I am made of.”

Lara was livid on Wednesday following a media workout and demanded the “dirty” Alimkhanuly, who’s 10 years his junior, to be punished for his wrongdoing.

“I’m just focused on fighting, no matter who the opponent is,” Lara said. “I’m not even gonna mention that guy’s name cause he doesn’t deserve it. I’m glad to be on this big card. It means a lot. We’re gonna go out there prepared and see what our opponent does and take it from there. … I am going to show up and show out.”

Lara is unbeaten over his last seven fights dating back to 2019. The crafty Cuban southpaw’s 160-pound campaign features stoppage wins against Thomas LaManna, Gary O'Sullivan, Michael Zerafa, and, most recently in September of last year, Danny Garcia.

Gonzalez is coming off a 10-round split-decision win against former unified junior middleweight champion Jarrett Hurd in March. When Hurd was fighting at the peak of his powers in 2018, he beat Lara by split decision in a barnburner.

Over his last four outings, the 34-year-old Venezuelan has alternated wins and losses, with the setbacks coming last year against Yoenis Tellez and Jesus Ramos.

“I’m here, and I’m here to win,” Gonzalez said. “I’m here to shock the world. Before the fight against Jarrett Hurd, I trained hard, stayed disciplined, and got the win. This is no different. My fundamentals and my hunger to be the best will make the difference.

“I’m gonna put on a show for everyone. I’m not gonna let anyone down. That’s the most important thing to me. I’m still coming down to earth about the excitement I’m feeling to get this opportunity. On Saturday, it will be a new feeling to become world champion.”