Promoter Eddie Hearn hasn’t given up hope that Edgar Berlanga will get the gig as undisputed tremendous middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s subsequent opponent in September.
Hearn feels that the #1 WBA Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) can be an important opponent for Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) to combat and sees it as a basic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico sort of match.
Berlanga’s Path to Canelo
Berlanga is Canelo’s WBA obligatory after beating Padraig McCrory by a sixth-round knockout final February. On the time, Berlanga was the obligatory for WBA ‘common’ tremendous middleweight champion David Morrell Jr., however he wasn’t involved in preventing him and has held out for the Canelo shot.
Canelo hasn’t mentioned who he’s taking a look at as potential candidates for September, but it surely may come right down to Berlanga or IBF obligatory William Scull. It’s in all probability not going to be David Benavidez or Morrell that Canelo fights as a result of these two have by no means been matched as ones that he’d enthusiastic about preventing.
Berlanga’s Mayweather-esque Enchantment
Berlanga would do job creating curiosity in New York along with his followers, and he may play the villain position effectively by bragging about himself, which he does job like many New Yorkers. If he can create a variety of dislike with followers, they’ll wish to watch simply to see him lose.
It could be the Mayweather factor the place folks would order his fights on PPV, not as a result of they appreciated his preventing type, however fairly as a result of they wished to see him get beat. Berlanga can be good in that position as a result of he doesn’t have a lot else going for him. He hasn’t crushed any notable contenders throughout his profession, and he’s fairly effectively protected, initially by Prime Rank after which by Matchroom.
Hearn’s Confidence
“I feel there’s probability. He’s a compulsory, however Canelo has a number of obligatory,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to iFL TV when requested about the potential for Edgar Berlanga getting chosen by Canelo Alvarez for his subsequent combat in September.
Hearn is true. There’s a good probability that Canelo will choose Berlanga as his subsequent opponent, realizing that it’s a sure-thing win and a step down from his final combat in opposition to Jaime Munguia.
It could be higher if Berlanga proved himself in opposition to Benavidez, Morrell, Caleb Plant, Diego Pacheco, or Christian Mbilli. His possibilities of beating any of these fighters is slim.
“I feel for all these interim forms of fights away from the Crawfords and Benavidez, I feel Berlanga is essentially the most engaging [for Canelo]. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico. Edgar will give it the whole lot. He’s a younger, contemporary puncher,” mentioned Hearn.
“I feel it’s an thrilling combat. We’re able to go for that combat, and we’ll see what occurs. I don’t thoughts. Matchroom present, PBC present, or Riyadh season present. Wherever it’s, Edgar is our fighter. He’s beneath contract with us, and I wish to see him get the chance. Canelo is my chum. It’s an important combat,” mentioned Hearn.
It could be an fascinating combat between Canelo and Berlanga, however I wouldn’t name it thrilling. That will be like driving by a fender bender on the freeway and looking as you cruise by.
