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Canelo vs. Berlanga And Much More

Canelo Alvarez (Mexico) and Edgar Berlanga (Puerto Rico) face off on Monday in New York City - Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)

NEW YORK, NY — Is this the latest installment of a Mexico versus Puerto Rico boxing rivalry or has Edgar Berlanga (Puerto Rico) got the opportunity to dethrone unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (Mexico) when they meet September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas? It’s a fight Berlanga, the Brooklyn, NY native said he dreamed about since lacing up the gloves at the age of seven.

It’s according to the alphabet soup boxing organization (WBA) a mandatory for Alvarez, who forfeited the IBF title due to not abiding with their mandatory opponent, so basically the 168-pound division is not unified. Then again this is boxing and they are saying it’s for the unified titles held with Alvarez, who is considered top pound-for pound and face of the sport.

Regardless Monday afternoon in New York City, at the Palladium in Times Square, Alvarez and Berlanga faced off, day one of a two city press tour that continues Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles. There is anticipation because of Alvarez, always his fights are a spectacle. And Berlanga in his second fight under the Matchroom Boxing banner does possess knockout power.

Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga in press conference in New York City on Monday, August 5, 2024 – Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)

Berlanga, who began his career with Top Rank Boxing and almost achieved boxing history with 16 straight knockouts, is the underdog and that is expected when someone gets in the ring with Alvarez. No talk of Alvarez meeting 154-pound champion Terence Crawford anytime soon. Crawford became a four-division champion after a 12-round unanimous decision Saturday evening over Israil Madrimov winning the WBA title though there is an offer on the table for a mega fight next year.

And with Alvarez and Crawford considered the top two in pound-for-pound talk, that would be a fight fans and boxing desperately seek, but as always logistics stand in the way. There are mandatory defenses and purse bids.

Los Angeles, USA: Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov, WBA World Interim WBO World Super Welterweight Title on August 3, 2024 – Image Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

There is also David Benavidez (29-0) the undefeated Mexican-American, once a potential opponent for Alvarez and his titles at 168, but now fighting at 175 and looking to unify the light heavyweight titles. Benavidez though has not closed the door with Alvarez, saying if the offer is on the table there would be no issue moving back down to 168.

Benavidez versus Alvarez is the fight for boxing, it’s in demand. Again, though, logistics stand in the way as Alvarez reportedly has said it would require over $50 million for the two of them to meet, which to all standards is difficult to understand. Though the opponent with the best ability to defeat Alvarez, as many in boxing will say, is Benavidez.

In the meantime Berlanga (22-0, 17 KO’s) will have no talk of an Alvarez-Benavidez fight. The focus is this dream fight with a Mexican icon he has admired, an opportunity to make boxing history with a win. He bypassed any discussion of Alvarez meeting Benavidez.

Edgar Berlanga set to take on Canelo Alvarez on Saturday, September 14, 2024 – Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

“Canelo always on my mind,” he said. “Screw Benavidez. It’s Puerto Rico versus Mexico. Will versus will. I am young and strong and not running.”

Basically, the fight streamed on Amazon PPV and DAZN/PPV is an interesting challenge for Alvarez (61-2, 2 39 KO’s and the 34-year old has not lost his skills in continuing a legacy. His last fight with fellow undefeated Mexican Jaime Munguía went the 12-round distance, with a unanimous decision win in May.

“This is a good fight for the fans,” said Alvarez. “I know he’s going to bring something different. It’s the kind of fight you’re going to remember. I know he’s going to come to bring everything, and I will too. It’s the kind of fight I enjoy a lot, I can’t wait. Mexico versus Puerto Rico is history. There have been so many great fights between them and this is going to be another one to that story.”

Canelo Alvarez has made his way up the ranks throughout his career as the face of boxing – Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)

And it will be a story if Berlanga, the underdog gets a power punch in, but opponents have discovered that Alvarez is also a good defensive fighter with power punches to the body. Berlanga, well this is a dream fight and any chance to defeat Alvarez will come with his array of punches that at times can hurt an opponent.

“This fight is all about intelligence,” Berlanga said. “We have to make sure we match him there. It;s will versus wil. We’re not running. We’re going to stay right there and we’re going to do what we do.”

RETURN OF DANNY GARCIA: The co-main event to Alvarez and Berlanga will see the return of former welterweight champion Danny Garcia, the Philadelphia fighter who has been absent from the ring the past two years and once in that pound-for-pound discussion as a two-time champion. He opposes WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (Cuba), the oldest and current champion at 41 years old in a 12-round fight as Garcia, also with Puerto Rican heritage moves up in weight.

Erislandy Lara and Danny Garcia shake hands during Monday’s press conference in New York City – Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)

Former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view.

“He can talk the talk and think whatever he wants,” Lara said about Garcia. “Everyone knows who I am and how I fight. We will see what happens on September 14. I am the reigning world champion, and that is how it’s going to remain until I retire.”

Said Garcia, “This is a historic fight for me. It’s always been a dream of mine to be a three-division world champion. Now I have a tough task in front of me in Lara and we’re gonna make it an epic night. I’m chasing a dream and I never stop until I get what I want. I’m here because I’m a great fighter.”

He added,“This is a fight that I wanted. He has the title and that’s what I was looking for. He wants my name and I want his title. It makes perfect sense. I’m coming to make history.”

“Boxing is all mental. You can do whatever you put your mind to. I know mentally, I can do whatever I put my mind to.”

A SATURDAY OF CHAMPIONS: Credit the Kings and Princes of Saudi Arabia and Matchroom Boxing fans with a championship showcase Saturday evening in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, USA: Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov, WBA World Interim WBO World Super Welterweight Title on August 3, 2024 – Image Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Undefeated and now four-division World Champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) defeated Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) by unanimous decision, winning the WBA Super-Welterweight World Title, in his first fight at 154 pounds, in the main event of the stacked DAZN PPV card from a sold-out BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

In a thrilling co-main event, hard-hitting Mexican star Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) took on Jose Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs), defending his WBA World Super-Lightweight Title. It was a raw battle between two Mexican warriors, and despite Cruz’s reputation as a scrappy and powerful fighter, Valenzuela’s strategy and composure helped him land more punches.

Los Angeles, USA: Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela, WBA World Super Lightweight Title on August 3, 2024 – Image Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Valenzuela, now under the tutelage of renowned trainer Robert Garcia, took home the split decision victory to become the new WBA Super-Lightweight Champion…

“I would like to officially request a rematch,” said Cruz. “I want to throw that down now and ask for a rematch for sure. Thank you to the fans, good night. But it was Valenzuela’s hard work, dedication and patience that enabled him to fight smart and solidify his victory in the later rounds.”

“I’m speechless, speechless for a dream that came true,” Valenzuela said. “Just had to be smart. I didn’t get desperate. I did not fall under the pressure. I just stayed calm…

August 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Behind the scenes of Jose Valenzuela after his fight on the Matchroom Boxing card at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California – Image Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing

Returning to the ring after 22 months of inactivity, Andy Ruiz Jr. (Mexico) (35-2-1, 22 KOs) took on Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs). Ruiz showcased his hand speed early on but struggled in the later rounds. Miller dug deep in the later rounds, eventually moving the momentum of the fight in his favor.

According to one judge, they scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Miller, but two others had it 114-114, resulting in a draw. LatinoSports.com also scored the fight a draw….

Los Angeles, USA: Andy Ruiz Jr v Jarrell Miller, Heavyweight Contest on August 3, 2024 – Image Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

David Morrell (Cuba) (11-0, 9 KOs) of Cuba fought Serbian-American, Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round Light-Heavyweight bout for the WBA World Title. To begin the bout, Morrell’s punches carried more force, earning him the edge.

Morrell continued his dominant performance into the second round, backing Kalajdzic into a corner and landing several effective punches. After his win Morrell challenged Benavidez at 175…

Los Angeles, USA: David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic, WBA World Super Lightweight Title on August 3, 2024 – Image Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Opening the pay-per-view saw Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) announcing himself as a Lightweight fighter to watch with a sensational seventh-round knockout over boxing veteran, Antonio Moran (30-7-1, 21 KO’s) for the IBF International & WBA Continental Latin-American Titles. Early action saw Moran start the match aggressively, landing jabs and hard shots, while Cruz responded with precise counterpunching. The early rounds were competitive with both fighters exchanging power shots and Moran maintaining a slight edge.

Rich Mancuso is senior writer and contributor to Latino Sports.com – X (Twitter): @ Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

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