In keeping with ESPN boxing insider Mike Coppinger, a deal is being finalized for undisputed 168-pound world champion Canelo Alvarez to defend his crown in opposition to Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) on September 14th, on the T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
Again in June 2023, Canelo Alvarez signed a three-fight take care of Premier Boxing Champions. It was an intriguing transfer because of the truth that each the WBC necessary challenger David Benavidez and the WBA necessary David Morrell are below the PBC umbrella.
Alvarez decided that was clearly off the radar as he signed on to struggle the then 154-pound undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo. It was a one-sided affair as Charlo misplaced by the use of unanimous resolution.
Even though Canelo gave us one other struggle that nobody requested for, struggle followers remained optimistic as a result of each of Canelo’s mandatories, Benavidez and Morrell have been ready for his or her alternative.
After ducking his WBC necessary challenger David Benavidez for 2 years, it was changing into painfully apparent that Canelo Alvarez deliberate on avoiding Benavidez for the rest of his profession.
Combat followers had solely seen a pattern measurement of David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) however it was simple to establish that he has all of the instruments. Morrell proved himself to be a risk to Canelo’s crown, and for that cause Morrell was added to Canelo’s ‘not getting a title shot checklist.’
Combat followers assumed Benavidez or Morrell could be part of Canelo’s three-fight take care of PBC, however it turned evident that Canelo was in search of the better options. Rumors started to flow into with reference to Alvarez putting Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga on his radar.
Again in Could 2024, Canelo Alvarez defeated Jaime Munguia by the use of unanimous resolution. Now studies are circulating because it pertains to the finalization of a deal for a Canelo vs Berlanga conflict.
The 34-year-old Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) is a future corridor of famer, however just lately his choice of opponents have been fairly disappointing. With that being mentioned, if Canelo indicators on to face Edgar Berlanga, will struggle followers have an interest on this matchup?
Edgar Berlanga began his profession with 16 straight first spherical knockouts. Then he skilled some difficulties when he elevated his degree of competitors by preventing a couple of gatekeepers. Berlanga continued to win, however the victories appeared much less spectacular.
Berlanga fought 5 instances and failed to provide a knockout. Lastly, in February 2024, Berlanga scored a devastating sixth-round knockout victory over the Irish super-middleweight Padraig McCrory.
Because of the truth that he doesn’t have a signature win in opposition to a prime contender, the thrill degree for a possible Canelo-Berlanga conflict is fairly low. To take it a step additional, outdoors of Canelo’s core fan base, no person is de facto pressed to see this struggle.
The 27-year-old Edgar Berlanga has the punching energy, however he doesn’t have the talent set or the boxing IQ wanted to be aggressive in opposition to an elite fighter like Canelo Alvarez. Once you analyze this struggle, Berlanga doesn’t have a professional path to victory.
The one approach Berlanga can win this struggle is by touchdown a fortunate punch or if Canelo ages tremendously between now and September 14th. Aside from that, it ought to be one other routine victory for Canelo Alvarez.
You may’t take nothing away from Canelo as a result of he has a formidable resume. Nonetheless, you possibly can admit to being upset about the way in which he has intentionally sabotaged the super-middleweight division.
For instance, we may have witnessed a blockbuster occasion if Canelo would have fought David Benavidez. Then we may’ve had the winner of that matchup face David Morrell.
Now, since Canelo hijacked the division by cherry selecting and holding the belts hostage from the true contenders, each Benavidez and Morrell have moved as much as light-heavyweight. Because of Canelo’s manipulative demeanor, the 168-pound division is at the moment watered down.
Canelo Alvarez is a legend and when he retires he can be a assured corridor of famer, however due to his new behavior of cherry selecting, some followers would really like for him to retire sooner fairly than later.