Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez took to the stage today to formally announce his fight with Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga.
It will be the Mexican’s second outing this year after a points win over Jaime Munguia. Besides the continuation of an old national sporting rivalry, he will put his unified super-middleweight titles on the line after being stripped of one belt by the IBF.
Despite the unbeaten Berlanga vowing to upset the odds, there are two other potential opponents fans are keen to discuss. One is David Benavidez, who has moved to light-heavyweight after years of chasing the Canelo fight unsuccessfully.
The other is Terence Crawford, who has been shouting for a legacy-defining fight against Alvarez despite a two-division gulf in weight.
Crawford joined Canelo in the four-division world champion club this past weekend in Los Angeles by taking the WBA Super-Welterweight World Title from previously undefeated Israil Madrimov.
The win came after twelve hard-fought rounds against the game Madrimov, who won a lot of fans despite losing his belt. It also served as a measuring stick for ‘Bud’, who will have to jump up a further two divisions if he lands the Canelo fight. For what it’s worth, Madrimov believes it will be ‘very difficult.’
During the show, Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh confirmed that he has now reached out to the Mexican’s team with an offer but, asked by the media, the Mexican said he hadn’t seen any such thing but will do it for the right money.
“No, I don’t have any offer. Look, I’m 100% focused on this fight and then we’ll see … Well, look, as I said, if the money is right, I’m willing.”
Canelo faces Berlanga on September 14 in Las Vegas.
