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Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga preview and prediction

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Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga preview and prediction

As a seasoned gamer of the sweet science, I’ve witnessed my fair share of boxing matches, and let me tell you, few have captivated me as much as the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga bout. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to analyze the politics or the promotions – I leave that to the pundits.

In many combat sports, few figures attract as much interest as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (61 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws, with 39 KOs). For almost a decade, his bouts have often been the most high-profile in boxing, setting new revenue records at live events and pay-per-view. Moreover, Canelo Alvarez possesses the most diverse fighting resume in all of boxing, with no one else even coming close.

In the closing stages of his 20-year boxing journey, Alvarez is set to face the powerful Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) in an upcoming match. This highly anticipated event will unfold on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and can be watched live via pay-per-view by Premier Boxing Champions and Amazon Prime Video.

Alvarez is considered the best fighter at super middleweight and will defend his unified title for the fifth time against Berlanga. However, he won’t be defending the IBF title because he was stripped of it during the summer after deciding not to fight his mandatory challenger, William Scull. Many people would have criticized Alvarez if he had chosen to face Scull. The upcoming fight with Berlanga has also been met with less enthusiasm from fans and experts.

Without a doubt, Alvarez boasts an exceptional boxing resume, having fought over 20 championship bouts against previous world champions. Known as a Mexican sensation, his impressive record and draw at the box office give him the freedom to decide when and who he fights. However, despite his stellar career, Alvarez has faced criticism from fans who have been calling for him to fight David Benavidez for years. Bypassing the former super middleweight titleholder once more has led many fight enthusiasts to express apathy and disapproval towards the upcoming match with Berlanga.

The 27-year-old New York-based Berlanga isn’t close to being the worst opponent Alvarez could have chosen. He is undefeated and started his career with 16 straight first-round stoppages.  However, the fight feels manufactured and forced. The fight’s promotion has been filled with trash-talking, with Berlanga purposely taking on the role of a villain in a ploy to either goad Alvarez to fight in a particular manner or garner more attention for the fight. Alvarez, who has been part of multiple contentious and respectful promotions, hasn’t let anything Berlanga has stated bother him.

Alvarez approves of Berlanga’s boastful style. He enjoys it when players are self-assured and chatty. He looks forward to silencing them on the court, giving them a tough match. That day can’t come soon enough; it will be a crushing experience for him.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga preview

One of the issues concerning the fight promotion is the perceived notion that Berlanga has been thrust over others instead of genuinely earning a fight with Alvarez. A few steps have been skipped. Following his 16th straight first-round stoppage, Berlanga had a string of five fights from 2021 to 2023 against a range of opposition in which he looked vulnerable and, at worst, looked like his skillset was diminishing. However, it could be argued that Berlanga needed these fights to experience facing adversity and develop a focused mindset when a fight isn’t going according to plan.

In his most recent outing last February, Berlanga scored his first stoppage since 2020, taking out Padraig McCrory in six rounds. Now, back to winning by knockout, Berlanga was catapulted immediately into a fight with Alvarez. There weren’t any fights made with the likes of Caleb Plant, Diego Pacheco, and Jaime Munguia, among other top contenders, for Berlanga to prove himself. Opportunities in boxing can be scarce, and one can’t fault a fighter for seizing a chance at glory when it’s presented. 

Berlanga expressed, “I’ve been questioned a lot, but I’ve always overcome obstacles throughout my life. On September 14th, I aim to make a lasting impact in the world of boxing and create history. This upcoming event between Puerto Rico and Mexico is one of the greatest rivalries in the sport, and on that date, we’ll be etching our names into boxing lore.

Regardless of the specific promotion or fan opinions, what truly counts is the action within the ring. Berlanga might have benefited from additional bouts before facing Alvarez. However, all boxers are by nature risk-takers, and turning down a fight with Alvarez would have been as unwise as forgoing an opportunity that may not come again.

To beat Alvarez, Berlanga needs to perform better than ever before, but that might not be enough. It’s possible that Alvarez is experiencing a decline and may no longer be the top-tier fighter he was between 2018 and 2021. However, against Berlanga, Alvarez doesn’t need to perform at his absolute best to secure a victory.

In his latest bout, Alvarez last scored a stoppage against Caleb Plant in 2021, marking the peak of his career within boxing. His most recent impressive knockout was against an aging Sergey Kovalev in 2019. The early rounds of this fight will set the tone for what’s to come. Berlanga might get overeager and aggressive, making mistakes that Alvarez could exploit. However, Alvarez is expected to maintain patience, closely observing Berlanga’s moves, and responding accordingly. If Berlanga opts to attack, expect Alvarez to halt the fight within the initial half of the match.

Official prediction: Alvarez via stoppage.

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2024-09-12 04:13

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