Canelo Álvarez will return to the ring next September 14 to face Edgar Berlangaa new contender for his super middleweight titles, although this time there will only be three of them at stake (WBC, WBA and WBO), since the Mexican has lost his undisputed status, the same one he defended for four fights.
The Jalisco boxer he clearly prevailed over Jaime Munguía in his last fight and is still considered one of the best boxers pound for pound (fourth for The Ring). As always, there was a lot of talk about his possible rivals before deciding on Berlanga, the 27-year-old American with Puerto Rican parents who walks hand in hand with Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn’s promoter.
In his day ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga got media attention when he was about to equal the record for consecutive victories by KO in the first round (it reached 16)but his streak was cut as soon as the level of his rivals rose one step. Today it accumulates as a professional 22 wins (17 KOs) and no defeats. Without a doubt, Canelo gives him the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Puerto Rican He has never fought for a world title and in his most recent fight he defeated the Irish Padraig MaCrory by KO in the sixth round, thanks to a big right hand when he already had him where he wanted. Before he measured himself Jason Quigleywhom he sent to the canvas four times but whom he could not knock out. Although Berlanga is credited with a amateur record 162-17the truth is that there is a devastating fact that works against it: As a professional, he only counts 72 rounds in the ring compared to Canelo’s 496.. In comparison, it is a huge experience that makes undisputed favorite to the Mexican who, contrary to what his detractors think, is still in a great moment.
The opportunity really comes to ‘The Choosen One’ before having proven proven experience against rivals of a certain magnitude. For example, for Álvarez his fight against Mayweather was his ninth with a world title at stake and despite this it cost him a clear defeat. Berlanga, in addition, will be the eleventh undefeated opponent he will face with a world title at stake.
Canelo’s fights against undefeated for a world title
– Austin Trout (Canelo by unanimous decision)
– Floyd Mayweather (Mayweather by majority decision)
– Liam Smith (Canelo by 9th round KO)
– Gennady Golovkin 1 (split decision draw)
– Gennady Golovkin 2 (Canelo by majority decision)
– Callum Smith (Canelo by unanimous decision)
– Billy Joe Saunders (Canelo due to withdrawal in the 8th round)
– Caleb Plant (Canelo by TKO in the 11th round)
– Dmitry Bivol (Bivol by unanimous decision)
– Jaime Munguía (Canelo by unanimous decision)
