Chris Eubank Junior’s possibilities of getting picked by Canelo Alvarez for his struggle in September are good as a result of Dana White selected to stage one in every of his UFC occasions on September 14th, the Mexican Independence Day weekend.
London Calling for Canelo & Eubank Jr.?
Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) could elect to attend a number of weeks and struggle Eubank Jr. (33-3, 24 KOs) in England in September. That’s a struggle that will herald lots of followers. It’s staged in London, the UK. It’s most likely not a Wembley Stadium-level struggle, but it surely sells many tickets for the world.
The opposite opponent that Canelo is contemplating for his subsequent struggle is Edgar Berlanga, his WBA necessary, and it could solely make sense to struggle him if it may occur within the U.S. throughout a vacation on September 14th. Berlanga could be a foul selection for Canelo for different causes.
Followers don’t think about the 27-year-old extremely ranked Berlanga certified to compete for a world title. They wish to see him beat at the very least one top-tier opponent earlier than getting a title shot, and he has not finished that.
Berlanga: A Much less Interesting Choice
“In case you don’t have the Mexican Independence Day possibility over right here, you go to London,” stated Teddy Atlas to Probox TV about Canelo Alvarez probably going through Chris Eubank Jr. subsequent in September in London, England. “If you need the nice rivalry with Puerto Rican and Mexican followers, you go along with [Edgar] Berlanga.”
The 34-year-old Eubank Jr. (33-3, 24 KOs) hasn’t fought in a yr, and he’d have some ring rust on him going up in opposition to Canelo in September, but it surely wouldn’t matter even when he had been lively over the last 12 months. He’s not on the identical degree as Canelo talent-wise, and it’ll be a mismatch regardless.
“With the mix of the UFC happening Mexican Independence Day weekend, it might push Canelo out of Las Vegas,” stated boxing professional Paulie Malignaggi. “In that state of affairs, it might push the Berlanga struggle away.”
Berlanga’s New York followers received’t be glad that he’s not getting the struggle, however once more, he doesn’t fee the struggle, and it wouldn’t be good for Canelo to take care of the backlash from selecting him.
Whereas Canelo is busy combating Eubank Jr, maybe Berlanga’s promoter Eddie Hearn can match in opposition to somebody good to provide him some credibility, like Caleb Plant, Jaime Munguia, David Benavidez, Christian Mbilli or David Morrell Jr.
“In case you struggle in the USA, Berlanga is the extra viable opponent. He’s extra common,” stated Malignaggi. “Eubank doesn’t have lots of reputation within the U.S. In case you go to Europe, you struggle Eubank in England. I may see that chance opening up, and I may see the place he’s going with this.”
There are few choices for Canelo’s struggle in September until he desires to incorporate among the fighters within the 160-lb weight class. On condition that Eubank Jr. could be transferring up from 160, Canelo may take a look at different fighters from that weight class, and followers wouldn’t complain.
“England would like to have a Canelo Alvarez. To me, these boxing followers are the perfect on this planet,” stated Malignaggi. “Even when he had been combating their native man, clearly, they might root for Eubank, however they might nonetheless be privileged and in awe to have one in every of boxing’s stars select their place to struggle.”
London could be a wonderful place for Canelo to struggle, and there could be lots of buzz across the occasion if it’s staged there. Eubank Jr. is clearly on the draw back of his profession, however followers nonetheless would wish to see the struggle if he’s combating Canelo.
Dana White’s Affect on Canelo’s Schedule
“Dana White sits for no one. Canelo sits for him. In case you take a look at the UFC schedule, they’re doing that once more in September [for Mexican Independence Day], you might see Canelo taking his act on the street to England, the place he would clearly be welcomed with open arms. The English love their boxing and their famous person fighters,” stated Malignaggi.
Canelo should get used to White staging his occasions on Mexican holidays within the U.S. to reap the benefits of the followers who would tune in. If Canelo had been combating somebody common like David Benavidez, he wouldn’t need to abandon his date in September, but when he had been to struggle Berlanga, who is simply common in sections of New York Metropolis, it wouldn’t work.
