In the high-stakes world of boxing, every decision can make or break a career. Likewise, Saul Canelo Álvarez, one of the most celebrated fighters in the boxing world, recently made a bold move that has fans and analysts buzzing. Canelo, known for his daring and strategic approach, has been stripped of his IBF super middleweight title for a decision that has raised eyebrows. Instead of facing the IBF’s mandatory challenger, William Scull, Canelo chose to fight Edgar Berlanga, which led to the violation and subsequent title stripping. This decision, while controversial, has set the stage for a thrilling match. As a result, the IBF super middleweight title is now vacant, and a new champion will emerge from a battle between Scull and Vladimir Shishkin. At the same time, Canelo will still defend his WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Berlanga. The stage is set for a showdown between these two formidable fighters on September 14, 2024, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The anticipation for this match is palpable, with the question on everyone’s mind being, will Canelo’s daring gamble lead to triumph, or will it be a decision he regrets? The excitement for this match is building, and fans eagerly await the outcome.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, born on July 18, 1990, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is a professional Mexican boxer. Alvarez entered the boxing world at 13, inspired by his older brother Rigoberto, who debuted as a professional boxer. In 2004, he achieved the Silver medal at the Junior Mexican National Championships in Sinaloa and later became the Junior Mexican Boxing Champion in Tuxtla Gutiérrez in 2015. His amateur record shows an impressive 44-2 with 12 knockouts. At 15, Alvarez transitioned to professional boxing and made an impact by knocking out eleven of his 13 significantly older opponents within the first 19 months. In the sixth round of the fight, he successfully defended the WBC title against Alfonso Gómez through a technical knockout. Moreover, Richard Schaefer announced that Alvarez’s next bout would co-feature on the undercard of Miguel Cotto’s clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Alvarez defeated Mosley unanimously after twelve rounds, showcasing his extraordinary talent. On April 20, 2013, Alvarez faced Austin Trout, initially scheduled for Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Alvarez and Mayweather had a contract disagreement regarding their potential fight on September 14, 2013. As a result, Alvarez chose to headline his card. It was a successful rematch for Alvarez, where he maintained the WBC light middleweight title and won both the WBA (Regular) and the vacant Ring light middleweight titles in front of 39,247 fans. Trout had a good game plan during the first few rounds, but Álvarez’s power took over after the third round, leading to a knockdown in the seventh round, the first of Trout’s career. Unfortunately, Saul suffered his first career loss in the next fight against Floyd Mayweather through multiple decisions on September 14, 2013. He lost the WBC and The Ring light middleweight titles for the WBA (Super) light middleweight title. However, he recovered with several victories and then suffered his second career defeat on May 7, 2022, against Dmitry Bivol through a unanimous decision. With 65 fights, he won 61, 39 by knockouts, showcasing his extraordinary knockout power. In his upcoming fight against Edgar Berlanga, Alvarez plans to use his superior experience and tactical prowess to exploit Berlanga’s defensive weaknesses and tire him out with relentless body shots. Alvarez’s strategic approach and knockout power will secure another victory, a prospect sure to excite the audience.
Edgar Berlanga, an American boxer from Brooklyn, New York City, was born on May 18, 1997. He started his boxing journey at seven and had an impressive amateur career with a record of 162-17. Berlanga made his professional debut on April 29, 2016, defeating Jorge Pedroza via a first-round knockout. His professional record stands at 22-0, with 17 knockouts, 16 of which were first-round stoppages. By late 2020, Berlanga’s record had improved to 16-0, with all victories secured in the first round. On October 9, 2021, Berlanga clinched his eighteenth successive professional victory by winning a unanimous decision against former WBO title challenger Marcelo Esteban Coceres on the undercard of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder III, with all three scorecards reading 96-93. Subsequently, on February 24, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, Berlanga secured a TKO victory in the sixth round against Padraig McCrory in a 12th-round bout at Super Middleweight. Looking ahead, Berlanga needs to capitalize on his early knockout power and aggressive style to pressure Álvarez. It is also essential for him to enhance his defensive techniques to evade Álvarez’s potent counterpunches and body shots. By sustaining a high pace and leveraging his youth and stamina, Berlanga’s strategy is to outlast and overwhelm the seasoned veteran.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga: Event Details
Main Event: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga
Date: September 14, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET | 5:00 p.m. PT | 5:30 a.m. IST (Next Day)
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Where to Watch Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga?
You can watch Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga on AMAZON, DAZN, and PPV.COM.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga Fight Card
Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga (For Alvarez’s WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight titles)
Erislandy Lara vs. Danny Garcia (For Lara’s WBA world middleweight title)
Caleb Plant vs. Trevor McCumby (Super middleweight)
Rolando Romero vs. Manuel Jaimes (Super lightweight)
Stephen Fulton vs. Carlos Castro (Featherweight)
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez Stats and Bio
Nationality: Mexican
Age: 34
Height: 5′ 7″
Reach: 70.5″
Total Fights: 65
Record: 61-2-2 (39 KOs)
Edgar Berlanga Stats and Bio
Nationality: Puerto Rican
Age: 27
Height: 6’1″
Reach: 73″
Total Fights: 22
Record: 22-0-0 (17 KOs)
Prediction
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga
The upcoming fight between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga carries significant stakes for both fighters. For Canelo, it represents another chance to solidify his status as one of the all-time greats in boxing. A win here would further affirm his dominance in the super middleweight division, potentially paving the way for even more high-profile matchups. With his vast experience, precise combinations, and power, Canelo has established himself as a versatile fighter, capable of both knockout finishes and enduring grueling bouts. However, he has faced criticism for occasionally choosing opponents perceived as less formidable. On the other hand, Edgar Berlanga sees this fight as a career-defining opportunity. A victory over Canelo would validate his position among the sport’s elite and silence those who doubt whether he’s ready for such a monumental test. Known for his knockout power, Berlanga has focused his training on building endurance and refining his technical abilities, including sharpening his jab and improving his defense to navigate Canelo’s attacks better. For Berlanga, this fight is more than just about power—it’s about proving he has the full arsenal needed to stand toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s best. Both fighters have undergone intense training camps, with Canelo focusing on conditioning and strategy and Berlanga refining the tools necessary to take advantage of any openings. With so much on the line for both competitors, this fight could define the trajectory of their careers. In his prior fight against Jaime Munguia on May 4, 2024, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, Canelo Alvarez showcased his elite defensive skills.
Throughout the match, he successfully evaded Munguia’s aggressive onslaught and countered with pinpoint accuracy, ultimately winning him a unanimous decision. By retaining his WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring super middleweight titles, Canelo again demonstrated why he remains a dominant force in the division. His ability to outlast and outthink opponents in high-stakes fights has solidified his status as one of boxing’s most technically gifted fighters. Meanwhile, Edgar Berlanga has built his reputation on sheer knockout power. Known for his aggressive fighting style and relentless pressure, he has become a feared presence in the ring. However, Berlanga’s defense has been a concern, as he tends to focus more on offense than protecting himself from counters. His victory over Padraig McCrory on February 24, 2024, via a sixth-round technical knockout, extended his undefeated record and further emphasized his ability to end fights with power. Nonetheless, his defensive vulnerabilities could prove costly against a seasoned fighter like Canelo. Given Canelo’s vast experience, defensive prowess, and ability to go the distance, he likely holds the advantage in this upcoming bout. While Berlanga’s power presents a real threat, Canelo’s proven track record against power punchers and his capacity to control the pace of fights suggests that he could secure another win, likely through a decision, significantly if he can neutralize Berlanga’s aggression and capitalize on his defensive weaknesses.
The Pick: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez via Decision.
