Edgar Berlanga looked tired Thursday ahead of today’s weigh-in title fight against WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on Saturday on Mexican Independence Day at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It’s time for Berlanga to consider moving to 175 because he’s too big for the 168-lb division. He is in the same boat as David Benavidez. He also became a heavyweight at that weight before moving up to light heavyweight, where he remains.
It would be interesting to know how much weight Berlanga gained after rehydrating for Saturday night’s fight. It wouldn’t be surprising if he weighs 190+ lbs, which means Canelo will be fighting a small cruiserweight.
Even if Canelo has more skill and experience than Berlanga, fighting the young cruiserweight on Saturday will be difficult for him. If Canelo didn’t put it in the rehydration contract for his fight with Berlanga, he dropped the ball because he should have seen how big he is in his fights.
If this fight is about Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) getting a payday, you can’t blame him for that, but he’s clearly a true 175-pounder and should fight where he belongs. All the knockouts Berlanga has scored at 168 are due to being a light heavyweight in his frame.
If Berlanga moves up in weight to 175, those knockouts will dry up when he starts fighting guys who can match his strength. Getting to 175 would put Berlanga among the sharks:
– David Morrell
– Artur Beterbiev
– Dmitry Bivol
– Wily Hutchinson
– David Benavidez
– Anthony Yarde
– Wily Hutchinson
– Joshua Buatsi
– Craig Richards
Berlanga is a good fighter, but the main reason for that is his size. He doesn’t look like he’s 168 and probably should have put on weight in the last six years.
Last updated on 09/13/2024
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