Canelo Alvarez showed the first workout video today as he prepares to defend his title against Edgar Berlanga in seven weeks on September 14. Their clash will be on DAZN and PBC on Prime Video PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Canelo’s Training Focus and Fan Reaction
Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) looked good in the heavyweight division, focusing on his power shots in the fight against the hard-hitting Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs). Canelo, 34, was stripped of his IBF title for failing to defend against William Scull, who was forcing him.
So instead of Canelo having four titles at stake in his fight with Berlanga, it will be three. He is at a stage in his career where he is above his belts and no longer needs them.
It’s a big step for New Yorker Berlanga, who has struggled with second-tier teams throughout his career. He recently beat a couple of British top 15 fighters, Padraig McCrory and Jason Quigley, but they weren’t top fighters.
They were ranked in the top 15, but talent wise, they were between 25-50. Berlanga’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is like a vulture when it comes to picking vulnerable targets for his fights. Hearn is like a bird of prey when it comes to picking opponents.
It would have been better if Berlanga had fought a high level opponent to approve him in the eyes of the public, but it would have been dangerous, he is chasing the “bag” as he said. Hearn has invested in Berlanga, and he wasn’t about to mess that up by matching him with a skilled fighter.
This is an excellent fight as it is still going on because Berlanga has a lot of power, he is not a known boxer. It’s a big chance for Berlanga, 27, to put his name on the map by pulling off the Canelo upset, but he’ll have to do very well to do so.
Fans on social media were criticizing Canelo for not moving the heavy bag with his punches today, as they expected him to move more with each shot. What Canelo did during training was focus on speed and not trying to destroy the bag with each shot.
“It’s a good fight, but it’s the one that won Canelo, unlike the others. Morrell and Benavidez, I don’t just think he’s not winning, but I don’t even think they’re even close,” said boxing expert Paulie Malignaggi talking to ProboxTV, talking about Canelo Alvarez who chose to fight the younger boxer Edgar Berlanga. September 14 is more dangerous.
Malignaggi to the throat Here are Canelo’s comments. It would have been nice if he chose Benavidez or Morrell for his September 14th title defense, but those aren’t the kind of fighters you can face on seven weeks’ notice.
I don’t blame Canelo for picking Berlanga because there wasn’t enough time for him to prepare for Benavidez or Morrell. According to Berlanga, Canelo will be very ready in seven weeks because he is not at the same level as those warriors.
“I think Berlanga can compete in this fight, but the fight Canelo can win, and maybe he can win it, especially on the West Coast,” said Malignaggi.
“I think it’s better than getting your a** out on Mexican Independence Day and competing in the UFC because that would happen if he was fighting Benavidez and Morrell. So, at least he has a good chance of winning here.”
Berlanga’s size Advantage
You can’t count out Berlanga in this fight because he has youth and strength, and he’s big in the 168 lb division. Berlanga is a light heavyweight who can still struggle to fight at 168.
He will have a big chance against Canelo on September 14th, and if he comes out quick, as he did against his last opponent, Padraig McCrory, last February, he has a chance to pull off the upset.
Berlanga is a bull at super middleweight and should fight at light heavyweight along with Benavidez and Morrell.
I understand why Berlanga chose to stay at 168. He can have a size advantage against smaller opponents, and the money is good on him being picked by Canelo for a title shot he doesn’t deserve. But once this fight is over, Berlanga should consider moving up to where he lives, at 175, as he may not get a rematch unless he pulls off the upset.
His career will go down if he stays at 168 and gets cooked by talented pitchers.
“We’ll see because I’m not sure Puerto Rican fans have that appeal on the West Coast. I didn’t really notice it that way. They are not that kind of fans. They’re big fans, great if you’re in town, but they’re big fans on the West Coast,” said Malignaggi about Berlanga’s fans who may travel from East Coast New York to Las Vegas to see him fight Canelo.
Canelo-Berlanga will likely still sell out at T-Mobile, even without Berlanga’s Puerto Rican fans traveling across the country from New York to watch his fight. There are enough Canelo fans that the place will be packed on September 14.
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