Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga: A September Showdown in the Works
In a much-anticipated event, Canelo Alvarez is reportedly finalising a deal to face Edgar Berlanga on 14th September at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This boxing bout, set to be a headline event on DAZN/Prime PPV, will run concurrently with UFC 306, taking place just three miles away at the Sphere.
Canelo’s Recent Form
Canelo Alvarez, holding an impressive record of 61 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws with 39 knockouts, is coming off a dominant performance against Jaime Munguia. In their recent bout, Alvarez decisively outclassed Munguia, knocking him down in the fourth round and maintaining control throughout. Following this victory, Alvarez was mandated by the IBF to defend his title against William Scull. However, Scull has reportedly accepted a step-aside deal, clearing the path for the Alvarez vs Berlanga match-up.
Berlanga as the Challenger
The WBA recently named Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KO) as Alvarez’s mandatory challenger, following the move of long-time interim champion David Morrell Jr to the light heavyweight division. Berlanga, known as “The Chosen One,” ended a streak of five fights without a knockout by stopping Padraig McCrory in six rounds last February. Despite his undefeated record, Berlanga’s appeal largely hinges on the historic Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalry, which is expected to be a focal point of the promotion.
Canelo Alvarez is the undisputed super middleweight champion, but his IBF title may not be on the line as his mandatory defense is overdue. Details on the fight with Berlanga:https://t.co/jy4puWhCWj
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 23, 2024
Concerns Over the Match-Up
However, the prospect of this fight has sparked mixed reactions among boxing enthusiasts. Berlanga’s power, once highly touted, has been questioned, and his fundamentals are often criticised. There are concerns about his tendency to resort to less-than-sportsmanlike tactics when under pressure. This fight has been described by some as potentially Canelo’s least compelling bout since his match against Avni Yildirim in 2021.
While the UFC 306 card may not be stacked with marquee names, it is speculated that this boxing match may not draw significant pay-per-view numbers either. The competitive clash for viewership between these two major sporting events in Las Vegas adds an extra layer of intrigue.
Final Thoughts
As fans and analysts debate the merits of this match-up, the underlying narrative of national pride and rivalry promises to keep audiences engaged. Regardless of the outcome, Canelo Alvarez’s continued dominance in the super middleweight division and Edgar Berlanga’s opportunity to prove his critics wrong make this an intriguing fight to watch.
