Caleb Plant’s coach, Stephen Edwards, feels that he’ll knock out Edgar Berlanga if the 2 fighters meet. Nonetheless, Edwards doesn’t wish to look previous Plant’s battle in opposition to Trevor McCumby on September 14th.
McCumby: The Gateway to Canelo
Edwards questions whether or not Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) will survive his battle in opposition to Canelo Alvarez on September 14th with out sustaining lasting punishment that might end him.
He thinks unified tremendous middleweight champion Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) might destroy Berlanga as a fighter, leaving him a wrecked shell of the man that went into the conflict. Nonetheless, if Berlanga is victorious and if Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) wins his undercard battle in opposition to Trevor McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs) on the September 14th card, a battle between them could be the logical conflict to make.
The Plant vs. McCumby battle can be for the WBA interim 168-lb title, which can put the winner ready to problem the Canelo-Berlanga victor.
Plant has been on the shelf for a very long time, sitting inactive for 18 months since his loss to David Benavidez final yr, and there’s no method of understanding what he has left. The 32-year-old Plant took many onerous photographs from the amount puncher Benavidez in that battle and regarded badly crushed up on the finish.
Not Trying Previous September 14th
“We obtained lots to undergo earlier than that may occur. He’s obtained get by way of this battle intact,” stated coach Stephen Edwards to MillCity Boxing about the opportunity of Caleb Plant vs. Edgar Berlanga occurring subsequent. “That’s a giant second for him [Berlanga] on September 14th.
“It’s an excessive amount of to say. He’s obtained to get by way of September 14th first,” stated coach Edwards a couple of hypothetical Plant-Berlanga battle. “If he [Berlanga] loses to Canelo dangerous, he won’t wish to take two fights in a row as an underdog.”
Preventing Berlanga could be pointless for Plant if Canelo soundly beats the New Yorker. Plant needs to be focusing on the battle in opposition to Canelo as a result of he’d be the WBA interim champion, offered he wins his battle in opposition to McCumby on the September 14th card.
Plant’s Final Aim: Canelo
“It’s an excessive amount of to say. I obtained to focus on Trevor McCumby. We are able to solely battle one battle at a time,” stated Edwards. “It’s an excessive amount of to say. This might be a career-altering beating [for Berlanga]. I don’t wish to be calling out a man. He won’t have the ability to battle for eight or 9 months after this.”
Even when it’s not a “career-altering beating” Berlanga sustains in opposition to Canelo, it might nonetheless be a futile battle for Plant to take if he loses that battle. Why battle a crushed Berlanga whenever you’re within the place to battle Canelo?
Berlanga would want to rebuild his profession after the loss, and it’s unlikely that his promoter, Eddie Hearn, could be loopy sufficient to place him in a dangerous match in opposition to Plant.
Assuming Hearn doesn’t dump Berlanga overboard into the drink, he’ll doubtless return to matching him in opposition to British domestic-level fighters to ramp him up for a second Canelo payday rapidly. Hearn would solely deviate from that confirmed path if His Excellency Turki Alalshikh takes an curiosity in Berlanga combating Plant or another dangerous opponent.
“So, Caleb isn’t going to attend round for him. Who is aware of? We obtained to see how the battle goes,” stated Edwards. “Caleb and Berlanga? Caleb. A late knockout,” stated Edwards, predicting a knockout win for Plant over Berlanga.
Respect for Canelo, Concern for Berlanga
“Individuals wish to criticize Canelo, however that’s a fantastic fighter. You bought to respect him. He’s about 5’7″, and he’s combating these giants at 168 and 175. He’s received titles from 154 to 175. That’s a fantastic fighter. I do know individuals who have been within the ring with him, and sparring, and within the fitness center. That’s an actual dude, and he can harm you,” stated Edwards.
Canelo is clearly a fantastic within the sport, and he’s proven that all through his profession. Berlanga goes to have a giant dimension benefit on this battle, and we’ll see if he can use it in opposition to the smaller 5’7″ Canelo. If not, Berlanga received’t final lengthy beneath the heavy photographs he can be getting hit with by the Mexican star.
“Berlanga has obtained to watch out as a result of I believe he’s [angering] him and getting beneath his pores and skin. I believe he’s going to harm him,” stated Stephen Edwards.
