Canelo Alvarez confirmed off some early coaching footage right now of him making ready for his title protection towards Edgar Berlanga in seven weeks on September 14th. Their conflict shall be on DAZN and PBC on Prime Video PPV on the T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
Canelo’s Coaching Focus and Fan Reactions
Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) appeared good in engaged on the heavy bag, specializing in his energy pictures for a struggle with the hard-hitting Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs). Canelo, 34, has been stripped of his IBF title for failure to defend towards his obligatory William Scull.
So, as an alternative of Canelo having 4 titles at stake for his battle with Berlanga, there shall be three. He’s on the stage of his profession the place he’s above belts and now not wants them.
It’s an enormous step up for the New Yorker Berlanga, who has been combating second-tier opposition his complete profession. He not too long ago beat a few British fighters with prime 15 rankings, Padraig McCrory and Jason Quigley, however they weren’t precise top-tier fighters.
They have been ranked within the prime 15, however talent-wise, they have been 25-50. Berlanga’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is sort of a vulture in choosing susceptible prey for his fighters. Hearn is sort of a fowl of prey when choosing opposition for his fighters.
It might have been higher if Berlanga had fought a high-grade opponent to validate him within the eyes of the general public, however it could have been dangerous, and he’s chasing “the bag,” as he places it. Hearn invested cash in Berlanga, and he wasn’t about to mess that up by matching him towards a proficient fighter.
This is a superb battle for so long as it lasts as a result of Berlanga has lots of energy, and he’s not a fighter recognized for his boxing abilities. It’s the 27-year-old Berlanga’s huge likelihood to get his identify on the map by pulling off Canelo’s upset, however he should carry out excellently to try this.
Followers on social media have been important of Canelo for not shifting the heavy bag along with his punches right now, as they have been anticipating him to be shifting it round extra with every shot. What Canelo did through the exercise was concentrate on pace and never attempt to destroy the bag with every shot.
“It’s a great battle, however it’s one which’s winnable for Canelo, not like the opposite ones. Morrell and Benavidez, not solely do I believe he doesn’t win, however I don’t even suppose they’re shut anymore,” stated boxing skilled Paulie Malignaggi to ProboxTV, speaking about Canelo Alvarez selecting to battle the lesser fighter Edgar Berlanga on September 14th moderately than the extra harmful ones.
Malignaggi is going for the throat right here along with his Canelo feedback. It might have been nice if he selected Benavidez or Morrell for his September 14th title protection, however these aren’t the kind of fighters anybody would face on seven weeks’ discover.
I don’t blame Canelo for selecting Berlanga as a result of there wasn’t sufficient time for him to organize for Benavidez or Morrell. With Berlanga, Canelo shall be greater than prepared for him in seven weeks as a result of he’s not on the identical stage as these fighters.
“I believe Berlanga might be aggressive on this battle, however it’s a battle that Canelo can win, and he’ll most likely be favored to win, particularly on the West Coast,” stated Malignaggi.
“I suppose it’s higher than getting your a** kicked on Mexican Independence Day and competing towards the UFC as a result of that’s what would occur if he fought Benavidez and Morrell. So, at the very least there’s a greater likelihood of him profitable right here.”
Berlanga’s Measurement Benefit
You may’t depend out Berlanga on this battle as a result of he’s acquired the youth and energy, and he’s big for the 168-lb division. Berlanga is arguably a light-weight heavyweight who can nonetheless drain right down to battle at 168.
He’ll have a large measurement benefit towards Canelo on September 14th, and if he comes out rapidly, as he did towards his final opponent, Padraig McCrory, final February, he has an opportunity of pulling off an upset.
Berlanga is a weight bully at tremendous middleweight and ought to be combating at mild heavyweight together with Benavidez and Morrell.
I can perceive why Berlanga chooses to remain at 168. He can have a measurement benefit towards the smaller opposition, and the cash is sweet with him getting picked out by Canelo for a title shot that he doesn’t deserve. However as soon as this battle is over, Berlanga ought to contemplate shifting as much as the place he belongs, at 175, on condition that he’s not prone to get a rematch except he pulls off an upset.
His profession will head down the drain if he stays at 168 and will get cooked by the proficient contenders.
“We’ll see as a result of I’m unsure the Puerto Rican fan base has that attraction on the West Coast. I’ve probably not observed it like that. They’re not that form of fan base. They’re an enormous, nice fan base once you’re on the town, however an enormous West Coast fan base,” stated Malignaggi about Berlanga’s followers not prone to journey from the East Coast in New York to Las Vegas to see him battle Canelo.
Canelo-Berlanga will nonetheless doubtless promote out on the T-Cellular, even with out Berlanga’s Puerto Rican followers touring throughout the nation from New York to observe him battle. There are sufficient Canelo followers for the venue to be jam-packed on September 14th.
