Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez defends his three super middleweight world titles this weekend in Las Vegas.
Canelo is a multi-weight great who has lost just twice in his 65 bouts. The first came early on against Floyd Mayweather when he lacked the vast experience he has now, and more recently when he moved up to light-heavyweight to take on the talented Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
Since then he has made relatively straightforward defences of his titles against Gennady Golovkin, John Ryder, Jermell Charlo and Jamie Munguia to take his record to 61 wins, two losses and two draws.
For a while now, fans have been keen for the Mexican to really test himself and take on David Benavidez, a former two-time super middleweight title holder whose last fight was up at 175lbs.
Canelo has so far swerved negotiations and put a high price on the bout, but could well entertain the idea more seriously if he wins his next fight.
His opponent, Edgar Berlanga, has different ideas. The 27-year-old has not yet lost in his 21 fights and has won 17 of them by way of knockout.
The WBA number 1 ranked fighter has been talking up himself and his chances to BoxingScene ahead of the fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and even promised to ‘retire’ canelo.
“I’m fighting a legend, and I’m going to become a legend. It’s my time to shine. I’m destined for this, to take over the sport and become the face by defeating him and retiring him on the night. He already made his mark in the sport. People are tired of him and want a new face.”
Canelo has so far brushed aside all comers in this division, and Berlanga respects what his opponent will bring.
“Yeah, Canelo’s getting old, but he fought a great fight in the last fight against Jaime Munguia. I don’t see a decline. I still think that he’s good. I’m not taking anything away from him. I know what I’m going up against, and who I’m going up against. I know what it takes to beat a guy like that. Now it’s my time though. I’m destined. It’s the perfect time to take over the sport of boxing.”
If Berlanga were able to pull off the win, it would be a huge upset, but Oscar De La Hoya has claimed instead the fight will be a “snoozefest.”
