Canelo Alvarez formally introduced on Thursday that he’ll put his unified World Boxing Council, World Boxing Affiliation and World Boxing Group tremendous middleweight world titles on the road in opposition to undefeated WBA primary necessary contender Edgar Berlanga on Saturday, September 14 on the T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Having gained world titles at 154, 160, 168 and 175 kilos, Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) returns to the ring after defeating fellow countryman Jaime Munguia by unanimous resolution final Could. Canelo has not knocked out a fighter since 2021, though he has knocked down his opponents in his final three fights.
Nevertheless, Canelo has been closely criticized for avoiding in any respect prices the duel in opposition to David Benavídez, which was necessary underneath the WBC.
A local of Brooklyn, New York, who proudly represents his Puerto Rican roots, Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) first caught the eye of the boxing world by knocking out his first 16 opponents within the first spherical after turning professional in 2016.
The 27-year-old continued to rack up wins after his first-round knockout streak ended, defeating a bunch of powerful veterans together with Demond Nicholson, Marcelo Coceres, Steve Rolls and Alexis Angulo.
In June 2023, he defeated Jason Quigley by unanimous resolution in 4 rounds, and final February he stopped the beforehand undefeated Padraig McCrory within the sixth spherical.
Apart from Quigley, Berlanga has no big-name fighters on his report, although he does have a stable beginner background. Berlanga turned professional after posting a stellar beginner report of 162-17 and is skilled by his longtime coach, Marc Farrait.
One other alternate fighter to Berlanga who was near scoring a combat with Canelo was Chris Eubank Jr.
The co-main occasion will characteristic present WBA middleweight world champion Erislandy Lara, who will tackle former two-division world champion Danny Garcia in a 12-round bout.
Canelo’s hardest opponent, it appears, will not be within the ring, however a number of miles away when the UFC hosts a combat night time that includes UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso of Guadalajara, who defends her crown on the Las Vegas Sphere.