Canelo Alvarez confirmed off some early coaching footage in the present day of him getting ready for his title protection in opposition to Edgar Berlanga in seven weeks on September 14th. Their conflict will probably be on DAZN and PBC on Prime Video PPV on the T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Canelo’s Coaching Focus and Fan Reactions
Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) regarded good in engaged on the heavy bag, specializing in his energy photographs for a struggle with the hard-hitting Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs).
It’s a giant step up for the New Yorker Berlanga, who has been combating second-tier opposition his complete profession. He just lately beat a few British fighters with high rankings, Padraig McCrory and Jason Quigley, however they weren’t precise top-tier fighters.
They had been ranked within the high 15, however talent-wise, they had 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 chicken of prey when choosing opposition for his fighters.
This is a superb combat for so long as it lasts as a result of Berlanga has loads of energy, and he’s not a fighter recognized for his boxing abilities. It’s the 27-year-old Berlanga’s large likelihood to get his title on the map by pulling off Canelo’s upset, however he must put in a wonderful efficiency to try this.
Followers on social media had been vital of Canelo for not shifting the heavy bag together with his punches in the present day, as they had been anticipating him to be shifting it round extra with every shot. What Canelo did throughout the exercise was give attention to velocity and never attempt to destroy the bag with every shot.
“It’s an excellent combat, but it surely’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 professional Paulie Malignaggi to ProboxTV, speaking about Canelo Alvarez selecting to combat the lesser fighter Edgar Berlanga on September 14th slightly than the extra harmful ones.
Malignaggi is going for the throat right here together with his Canelo feedback. It will 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 arrange for Benavidez or Morrell. With Berlanga, Canelo will probably be greater than prepared for him in seven weeks as a result of he’s not on the identical degree as these fighters.
“I believe Berlanga may be aggressive on this combat, but it surely’s a combat that Canelo can win, and he’ll in all probability 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 in opposition to the UFC as a result of that’s what would occur if he fought Benavidez and Morrell. So, no less than there’s a greater likelihood of him successful right here.”
Berlanga’s Dimension Benefit
You’ll be able to’t rely out Berlanga on this combat as a result of he’s acquired the youth and energy, and he’s large for the 168-lb division. Berlanga is arguably a light-weight heavyweight who can nonetheless drain right down to combat at 168.
He’ll have an enormous measurement benefit in opposition to Canelo on September 14th, and if he comes out shortly, as he did in opposition to 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 needs 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 in opposition to the smaller opposition, and the cash is nice with him getting picked out by Canelo for a title shot that he doesn’t deserve. However as soon as this combat is over, Berlanga ought to think about shifting as much as the place he belongs, at 175, on condition that he’s not more likely to get a rematch except he pulls off an upset.
“We’ll see as a result of I’m unsure the Puerto Rican fan base has that enchantment on the West Coast. I’ve not likely observed it like that. They’re not that type of fan base. They’re an enormous, nice fan base whenever you’re on the town, however a giant West Coast fan base,” stated Malignaggi about Berlanga’s followers not more likely to journey from the East Coast in New York to Las Vegas to see him combat Canelo.
Canelo-Berlanga will nonetheless possible promote out on the T-Cell, even with out Berlanga’s Puerto Rican followers touring throughout the nation from New York to look at him combat. There are sufficient Canelo followers for the venue to be jam-packed on September 14th.
