How Canelo Matches Up With Edgar Berlanga
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez entered his September 14, 2024 bout against Edgar Berlanga as unified WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight champion. He retained those titles by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, dropping Berlanga in the third round but not stopping him. The result turns this preview into a recap of the matchup and what it showed.
The Challenger: Edgar Berlanga
Berlanga was 27 and unbeaten at 22-0 with 17 knockouts when he challenged Álvarez. He had become known for a run of 16 first-round knockouts early in his career, though his opposition had grown tougher and his more recent fights had gone the distance. Álvarez handed him his first professional loss, scoring a third-round knockdown before winning by unanimous decision.
Why Berlanga?
The matchup offered several clear commercial and sporting draws:
- Marketability: Álvarez’s Mexican following and Berlanga’s Puerto Rican heritage gave the bout a strong Mexico–Puerto Rico storyline.
- Timing: The September 14 date placed the fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend, a traditional window for major boxing events.
- Risk and reward: Berlanga was unbeaten, but had not yet faced a champion with Álvarez’s experience and résumé.
- A chance to break through: A title shot against Álvarez gave Berlanga a major opportunity, even though he entered as the underdog.
Canelo’s Perspective
For Canelo Alvarez, the fight was another major title defense during a period when he typically competed about twice a year:
- Staying active: Álvarez continued his regular schedule with a September title fight.
- Defending his titles: He retained his unified WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight championships.
- Potential for a knockout: Before the bout, Álvarez was seeking his first stoppage in nearly three years. He scored a knockdown, but Berlanga went the distance.
Fan and Expert Reactions
The announcement drew mixed reactions. Some fans welcomed a matchup between Álvarez and a young, unbeaten challenger; others criticized it as a mismatch and continued to call for Álvarez to face leading contenders such as David Benavidez. Berlanga’s performance lasted all 12 rounds, but Álvarez controlled the fight and won on all three judges’ scorecards.
What to Expect
Álvarez entered as the favorite and delivered the expected win, though not a stoppage. He dropped Berlanga with a left hook in the third round and won the unanimous decision. Berlanga remained dangerous at moments and finished the fight, but Álvarez’s experience and accuracy carried him through the 12 rounds.
Looking Ahead
The victory kept Álvarez atop the super middleweight division and left bigger potential matchups on the table. Berlanga’s first defeat ended his unbeaten record, while completing 12 rounds against the champion gave him experience at the highest level.
The September 14, 2024 fight ended with Álvarez retaining his three unified titles by decision, extending one of boxing’s high-profile Mexico–Puerto Rico rivalries without settling every question about his next opponent.
Sources:
[1] Marca: Berlanga and the Canelo matchup
[2] Marca: Canelo–Berlanga fight details
[3] Yahoo Sports: Canelo favored against Berlanga
[4] Marca: Fight-week preview
[5] ESPN: Canelo, Berlanga and potential opponents
[6] Premier Boxing Champions: Canelo retains titles by unanimous decision
Sources
Tags: Boxing
