THERE’S nothing quite like a Canelo fight weekend in Las Vegas. On September 14 the man who has made the T-Mobile Arena his home faces his latest challenge. While many hoped he would by now be facing off against natural rival David Benavidez, Canelo instead samples a different kind of challenge in Edgar Berlanga.
Not short on confidence, Berlanga describes himself as the “Chosen One,” which has an air of prophetic certainty about it. The New Yorker, of Puerto Rican descent, may need a little sprinkling of divine help to topple the reigning and defending WBA, WBC, and WBO super-middleweight king.
If there’s one thing Berlanga does have in his favour, it’s the proverbial puncher’s chance. This is, after all, the same fighter who went on a run of 16 straight first-round knockouts earlier in his career. Since the level of opposition rose, the KOs dried up. Berlanga jumped ship from Top Rank to Matchroom and did score a stoppage in his last fight over Irishman Padraig McCrory.
Canelo, meanwhile, hasn’t stopped anyone since Caleb Plant felt the wrath in 2021, five fights and 60 rounds ago. This is why Berlanga could be a sneaky shout to see out the distance. Keep an eye on the DQ line as well, as Berlanga has form for losing his cool, even biting an opponent in the past. There could be a chance he sinks his teeth into a big chunk of Mexican beef should the tide be turning significantly.
Berlanga has been at his best when taking the initiative and forcing the pressure in fights. If he tries to launch the bombs here, he will be in severe danger of getting counterpunched and taken out inside the distance. He has tried to step off and box in the past but looked clunky and unnatural. All of these combining factors mean that Canelo will fancy he can end the extended knockout drought.
Here are Rob Tebbutt’s Tips:
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez by KO in Rounds 4-6 @ +350
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez by KO in Rounds 5-8 @ +200
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to Win Fight/Under 7.5 Rounds @ +125
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