This weekend, boxing fans are gearing up for an electrifying bout as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez defends his three super middleweight world titles against Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo, a multi-weight champion with a record of 61 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, has been a dominant force in the ring, with his only recent losses coming against Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.
Canelo has successfully defended his titles against top contenders such as Gennady Golovkin, John Ryder, Jermell Charlo, and Jamie Munguia. However, fans have long awaited a matchup between Canelo and David Benavidez, a former two-time super middleweight champion. While Canelo has been reluctant to enter negotiations with Benavidez, a victory over Berlanga could potentially pave the way for this much-anticipated fight.
Edgar Berlanga, 27, remains undefeated in his 21 professional fights, with 17 wins coming by knockout. The WBA’s number 1 ranked super middleweight has confidently expressed his intention to defeat Canelo and claim his place as a new face of the sport. Berlanga has even promised to “retire” Canelo, declaring, “I’m fighting a legend, and I’m going to become a legend. It’s my time to shine.”
Despite Berlanga’s brash predictions, he acknowledges Canelo’s continued prowess. “Yeah, Canelo’s getting old, but he fought a great fight in the last fight against Jaime Munguia. I don’t see a decline. I still think that he’s good. I’m not taking anything away from him. I know what I’m going up against, and who I’m going up against. I know what it takes to beat a guy like that. Now it’s my time though. I’m destined.”
In contrast, Oscar De La Hoya has predicted that the fight could be a “snoozefest,” casting doubt on whether Berlanga can pose a serious challenge to the seasoned champion.
As the anticipation builds, Canelo’s performance against Berlanga will not only affect his future in the sport but could also determine the next big bout on the horizon.
