Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is readying an announcement for his second fight of the year. Unfortunately it is not the man most want to see him face.
The undisputed super-middleweight champion is finalising a deal to face undefeated Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga after successfully defending his belts in May against Jaime Munguia.
Whilst former world champion turned analyst Paulie Malignaggi believes the fight will be a big deal, he told Pro Box TV he would rather – as would a vast majority of fans – Canelo face David Benavidez or David Morrell, two men he feels the undisputed champion has ‘ducked.’
“I’m probably more interested in Berlanga versus Eubank than any of those guys against Canelo, I’ll be honest with you. Because of the championship being on the line, I feel like the championship should be on the line for Benavidez and Morrell. You’re supposed to defend against the best available contenders and he’s obviously continuously avoided those top fights. Outright ducked them.”
Benavidez is the most obvious opponent, but he recently made the decision, after years of calling for the fight, to move up to light-heavyweight for the foreseeable to become mandatory for the winner of the four-belt clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Morrell is doing the same, taking the WBA route in attempt to win a title up at 175. Both decisions have been made, in part, due to Canelo’s hold of all the 168 belts since 2021.
Pending official announcement, the elite Mexican will face Berlanga on September 14 in Las Vegas.
