Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga | PPV - 14 September 2024

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Sources: Canelo Alvarez finalizing fight vs. Edgar Berlanga

Canelo Alvarez, boxing's top star, is in the process of finalizing a deal for a super middleweight championship defense vs. Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Mexico's Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) is the undisputed champion at 168 pounds, but it's possible the IBF title won't be on the line as his mandatory defense is overdue, sources said. Canelo-Berlanga will go head-to-head with UFC 306 -- the first sporting event to be held at the Sphere, a revolutionary venue that opened in Las Vegas last September.

Alvarez, 34, is ESPN's No. 5 pound-for-pound boxer. The all-time great has also collected titles at 154, 160 and 175 pounds. He hasn't scored a knockout since his win over Caleb Plant in November 2021, but he has scored knockdowns in each of his last three victories.

He's won four consecutive bouts since a decision defeat to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight in May 2022.

Alvarez will be installed as a major favorite against Berlanga, who has never challenged for a world title nor competed on the world-class level.

Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) is a 27-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, of Puerto Rican descent. He is coming off a sixth-round KO of Padraig McCrory in February. The brash fighter started his career with 16 first-round KOs, but his next five opponents lasted the distance as his competition stiffened.

Mexican Independence Day weekend has long been one of two holidays reserved for Alvarez (along with Cinco De Mayo weekend), a tradition that was held by Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya before him.

Alvarez missed his preferred Mexican Independence Day weekend fight last year when he defeated Jermell Charlo in late September, but now returns to the holiday he has headlined six times.

PBC will lead the event on Prime Video PPV with Matchroom Boxing involved as Berlanga's promoter, sources said. The PPV will also be available on DAZN, Matchroom's streaming partner.

It will be Canelo's third consecutive fight with PBC.

[THEBUTCH]

Fascinating matchup

Berlanga looked like an out & out banger with an incredible run of 1st round stoppages...then got taken the distance 5 times on the trot.

Very hard to pick against Alvarez on experience alone.

I wish Canelo hadn't been rumbled for using PEDs because his career is the stuff of legends.

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[Oiky]

Good fight this

[tonyevs]

I wish Canelo hadn't been rumbled for using PEDs because his career is the stuff of legends.

Pretty sure I've read that the amount of whatever showed up in his positive test was below what is now the recognised failure/positive level.

Saying that - I think it's a pretty much given that all top level boxers from probably the 1980's to today are on something illegal or other.

[Bigdogsnose]

I dont think its a great fight. Its another calculated move from canelos team, ticks a lot of boxes but Berlanga is limited. Canelos great and has way too much. Munguia all over again for me.

Benavidez and Morrell are the best fights left for canelo (or bud).

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It’s official: Canelo Alvarez to face Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas

After months of jockeying and speculation over who would next face unified super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the fighter and his promoters confirmed Thursday that Alvarez will fight Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas.

Mexico’s Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) had been sizing up Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) for weeks, with an eye toward a high-profile Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry fight that could be staged on Mexican Independence Day weekend – which has become a staple on Alvarez’s annual fight calendar.

Despite the eagerness of longtime WBC super middleweight mandatory challenger David Benavidez to fight Alvarez, as well as a dalliance with William Scull and several other possible options, Alvarez – for better or worse – chose Berlanga, now the WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger.

“I am very happy for this fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico,” Alvarez said. “It’s exciting to be part of another great Mexico-versus-Puerto Rico battle inside the ring, because historically we have always offered unforgettable fights full of passion. I am proud to contribute to this legacy, and facing an opponent like Edgar Berlanga adds even more excitement and meaning to this event.”

Critics have panned Alvarez’s continued aversion to fighting Benavidez and disparaged Berlanga as a too-green opponent for Alvarez, a four-division champion and pound-for-pound fixture who, despite showing signs of slowing, remains one of boxing’s elite fighters at age 34.

Although Berlanga, 27, most recently aced his most difficult challenge to date, delivering a sixth-round knockout of Padraig McCrory in February, he has yet to face anyone remotely near Alvarez’s class. Ultimately, the allure of Berlanga's power – he began his career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts – and Puerto Rican heritage helped make him a bankable (and thus suitable) opponent for Alvarez.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Berlanga said. “I deserve to be here, and I'm going to shock the world and silence the critics by delivering a masterful performance and knocking out Canelo Álvarez on Sept. 14. I will prove that my Puerto Rican heritage surpasses Mexican boxing, from Gomez to Trinidad to Cotto, and now to Berlanga. I will reclaim what is rightfully ours. I'm ready to make this a historic firefight, continuing the greatest rivalry in boxing: Puerto Rico vs Mexico.”

The fight, set for Vegas' T-Mobile Arena – where Alvarez has fought on nine occasions, including in four of his last five bouts – will headline a PBC PPV event on Prime Video. In the co-main event, Cuba’s Erislandy Lara will defend his middleweight title against Puerto’s Rico’s former two-division titleholder Danny Swift in a 12-round fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s official: Canelo Alvarez to face Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas

After months of jockeying and speculation over who would next face unified super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the fighter and his promoters confirmed Thursday that Alvarez will fight Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas.

Mexico’s Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) had been sizing up Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) for weeks, with an eye toward a high-profile Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry fight that could be staged on Mexican Independence Day weekend – which has become a staple on Alvarez’s annual fight calendar.

Despite the eagerness of longtime WBC super middleweight mandatory challenger David Benavidez to fight Alvarez, as well as a dalliance with William Scull and several other possible options, Alvarez – for better or worse – chose Berlanga, now the WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger.

“I am very happy for this fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico,” Alvarez said. “It’s exciting to be part of another great Mexico-versus-Puerto Rico battle inside the ring, because historically we have always offered unforgettable fights full of passion. I am proud to contribute to this legacy, and facing an opponent like Edgar Berlanga adds even more excitement and meaning to this event.”

Critics have panned Alvarez’s continued aversion to fighting Benavidez and disparaged Berlanga as a too-green opponent for Alvarez, a four-division champion and pound-for-pound fixture who, despite showing signs of slowing, remains one of boxing’s elite fighters at age 34.

Although Berlanga, 27, most recently aced his most difficult challenge to date, delivering a sixth-round knockout of Padraig McCrory in February, he has yet to face anyone remotely near Alvarez’s class. Ultimately, the allure of Berlanga's power – he began his career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts – and Puerto Rican heritage helped make him a bankable (and thus suitable) opponent for Alvarez.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Berlanga said. “I deserve to be here, and I'm going to shock the world and silence the critics by delivering a masterful performance and knocking out Canelo Álvarez on Sept. 14. I will prove that my Puerto Rican heritage surpasses Mexican boxing, from Gomez to Trinidad to Cotto, and now to Berlanga. I will reclaim what is rightfully ours. I'm ready to make this a historic firefight, continuing the greatest rivalry in boxing: Puerto Rico vs Mexico.”

The fight, set for Vegas' T-Mobile Arena – where Alvarez has fought on nine occasions, including in four of his last five bouts – will headline a PBC PPV event on Prime Video. In the co-main event, Cuba’s Erislandy Lara will defend his middleweight title against Puerto’s Rico’s former two-division titleholder Danny Swift in a 12-round fight.

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The co-feature sees WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (30-3-3, 18 KO) face Danny Garcia (37-3, 21 KO) in a fight that’s been on the table for several years. Lara was last seen smoking mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa in March, making 2024 his first multi-fight year since 2019, while Garcia hasn’t fought at all since beating a hobbled Jose Benavidez Jr in his 2022 super welterweight debut.

That effort somehow earned Garcia the no. 11 spot in the WBA’s middleweight rankings.

“My fight with Danny García will be a classic battle between two legendary fighters of our era,” said Lara. “We’ve both faced the best, have impressive resumes and have competed at the top level for a long time. I’m excited for this fight. I encourage all my Mexican fans to tune in on Mexican Independence Day, bring your flags and support this great event. I will represent not only Cuba, but also Mexico on this day against Puerto Rico. To everyone watching at T-Mobile Arena and on the pay-per-view on Prime Video, you will witness greatness in the ring throughout the action-packed night of boxing. I look forward to putting on a show and being the first to knock out Danny García. This will be an epic showdown!”

“This is a legacy fight and an opportunity to win a championship in my third weight class,” said García. “Lara is a great champion who’s been around for a while, but so have I. On Sept. 14, I’m bringing the Danny García show to Las Vegas and making it a historic night.”

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The co-feature sees WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (30-3-3, 18 KO) face Danny Garcia (37-3, 21 KO) in a fight that’s been on the table for several years. Lara was last seen smoking mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa in March, making 2024 his first multi-fight year since 2019, while Garcia hasn’t fought at all since beating a hobbled Jose Benavidez Jr in his 2022 super welterweight debut.

That effort somehow earned Garcia the no. 11 spot in the WBA’s middleweight rankings.

“My fight with Danny García will be a classic battle between two legendary fighters of our era,” said Lara. “We’ve both faced the best, have impressive resumes and have competed at the top level for a long time. I’m excited for this fight. I encourage all my Mexican fans to tune in on Mexican Independence Day, bring your flags and support this great event. I will represent not only Cuba, but also Mexico on this day against Puerto Rico. To everyone watching at T-Mobile Arena and on the pay-per-view on Prime Video, you will witness greatness in the ring throughout the action-packed night of boxing. I look forward to putting on a show and being the first to knock out Danny García. This will be an epic showdown!”

“This is a legacy fight and an opportunity to win a championship in my third weight class,” said García. “Lara is a great champion who’s been around for a while, but so have I. On Sept. 14, I’m bringing the Danny García show to Las Vegas and making it a historic night.”

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They gonna host a pair of press conferences in New York City and Los Angeles.

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CALEB PLANT-TREVOR MCCUMBY TO LAND ON CANELO ALVAREZ-EDGAR BERLANGA PPV EVENT

Caleb Plant is no longer tasked with headlining the first standalone Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Prime Video card.

He is, however, armed with a new fight date.

The Ring has confirmed that Plant’s bout with unbeaten fringe contender Trevor McCumby will now take place on Sept. 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The super middleweight fight will serve as part of the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga PBC on Prime Pay-Per-View event.

Brunch Boxing’s Matthew “Bellini” Brown was the first to report the development.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Got to say, Canelo is by far the most active boxing star for decades.

When he finally retires, what a career he will have had.

[Cent0089]

Got to say, Canelo is by far the most active boxing star for decades.

When he finally retires, what a career he will have had.

Yeah, the fact Munguia and Berlanga (young, big, undefeated, KO artists at their very prime) are considered cherry picking by haters just proves how good Canelo resume is IMO. Still would love him to fight 3 times per year

[keithmoonhangover]

I've been following Edgar since his debut and during his time with Evander Holyfield's promotional company. His training partner used to post in CS. I would love to see him beat Canelo, but hey, it's fairly gigantic ask.

[margaret thatcher]

ya canelo even had 4 fights in 1 year to become undisputed smw champ, absolutely puts to shame most top fighters schedules. now with nearly 70 pro fights - that is a throwback kinda record

its amazing how much people bitch about him being some coward, then fanboy for fighters whove faced 1/10 the level of opposition

[liamlion]

Got to say, Canelo is by far the most active boxing star for decades.

When he finally retires, what a career he will have had.

Yeah, the fact Munguia and Berlanga (young, big, undefeated, KO artists at their very prime) are considered cherry picking by haters just proves how good Canelo resume is IMO. Still would love him to fight 3 times per year

I think perhaps some people just really want to see Canelo fight Benavidez at super middle. Anyone else may seem a bit of a disappointment.

[SeanBrennan]

I think at this stage Alvarez can fight who he wants. I don't think he's dodged anyone, he fought Floyd when he was a pup.

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Stephen Fulton Jr.'s return to stream free on Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga show

Former unified junior featherweight titleholder Stephen Fulton Jr. will face Carlos Castro in a featherweight bout, which will headline a three-fight preliminary undercard leading into the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga PBC Pay-Per-View on Sept. 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The three-bout prelims featuring Fulton-Castro will be available for free to all via live stream on Amazon’s PBC on Prime Video (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT), regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the Alvarez-Berlanga PPV.

The free portion of the stream will also include Roiman Villa facing Ricardo Salas in a 10-round welterweight matchup and featherweight prospect Jonathan Lopez meeting Richard Medina in an eight-rounder in the opener.

“Saturday, Sept. 14 is a stacked card that now features six champions and former champions with the addition of the former unified champion Stephen Fulton headlining PBC on Prime Video leading into the pay-per-view,’’ said Tom Brown, president of TGB Promotions, which works on PBC on its shows. “Fulton is a top pound-for-pound talent and he’s ready to remind everyone why he belongs on that list against the always-tough Carlos Castro.’’

Fulton bounce back from his first career defeat when he takes on the hard-charging contenderCastro in a 10-round featherweight clash that adds yet another intriguing showdown to a stacked night of action.

Fulton, 21-1 (8 KOs), a 30-year-old from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, most recently fought Naoya Inoue last July, suffering the first loss of his career. He’ll put his slick boxing skill set to the test in his featherweight debut against Castro.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad to be back in the ring,” Fulton said. “I’ve been in the gym and learning new techniques with Bozy Ennis that I can’t wait to show my fans and the boxing world. This is a tremendous event. I plan to show out on my way to becoming a two-division world champion.”

Castro, 30-2 (14 KOs), also 30, most recently took a 10-round unanimous decision against Belmar Preciado in April. A resident of Phoenix who emigrated to the U.S. from Sonora, Mexico, as a boy, Castro has fought at 126 pounds or higher in each of his past three fights – all wins. His only two career defeats have come against Brandon Figueroa at featherweight and Luis Nery at junior featherweight.

“Fighting Fulton is going to bring the best out of me, I can promise you that,’’ Castro said. “These opportunities only come along so often. I will take advantage of it because my life has been boxing for as long as I can remember. Come Sept. 14, I will be the best entertainer of all the boxers that night.”

The main broadcast of the Alvarez-Berlanga PPV also features middleweight titleholder Erislandy Lara facing former two-division titlist Danny Garcia, former super middleweight belt holder Caleb Plant meeting Trevor McCumby for an interim 168-pound title, and former junior welterweight titleholder Rolando “Rolly’’ Romero taking on Manuel Jaimes.

In addition to finding the Alvarez-Berlanga PPV on Amazon Prime, viewers can also purchase the card through DAZN and PPV.com.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

[keithmoonhangover]

If Berlanga can land cleanly, this could be a really interesting night. Plus Canelo has to age at some point, surely.

[stujones]

So this on PPV in the UK?