Canelo Alvarez easily prevailed on Mexican Independence Day weekend with a unanimous decision win (117-110, 118-109, and 118-109) over Edgar Berlanga on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
While Berlanga was able to remain somewhat active throughout, he was soundly beaten in every facet of the sport. Thankfully, the decision was indisputable. No one could make a case for Berlanga keeping the fight close. Someone could say Canelo won every round, and that might be a stronger argument.
The key to Canelo’s win was his superior hand speed and boxing acumen. The Mexican icon repeatedly found a home for his jab and some educated hooks from both sides. A hook is what lead to the only knockdown of the fight. Alvarez dropped Berlanga in the third round, but to the rugged Puerto Rican’s credit, he got up, stayed in the firefight, and went 12 spirited rounds.
A quick and whacking left hook dropped Berlanga in the third round.
Berlanga wasn’t hurt and got to his feet quickly. He didn’t pull away after the knockdown. Instead, he stayed in the pocket even more and ate the punishment.
After the fight, Terence Crawford, who made it clear, he wants to fight Canelo, took X with this message.
Crawford may not get his wish. Canelo has said he wants to rematch Dmitry Bivol in May if he defeats Artur Beterbiev and becomes the undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Even still, Crawford’s appeal is a longshot. Former world champion and current analyst Shawn Porter called Berlanga out for his “moral” victory.
After the fight, Berlanga appeared to be happy with the opportunity. He made it a point to thank Canelo multiple times for the chance, and it did come off as words from a guy who never thought he had a chance to win.
It’ll be interesting to see how that take sits with fans–especially hardcore Puerto Rican boxing enthusiasts.
Canelo’s former promoter and current arch-enemy Oscar De La Hoya took to X to criticize the fight, presumably because it didn’t end with a KO.
Canelo may no longer possess the KO power he once did, but his pure boxing skills don’t appear to have faded. He proved himself massively better than Berlanga, which was good enough for the dominant win.
Canelo’s Last 5 Results Before Win Over Edgar Berlanga
- Win against Jaime Munguia by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, on May 5, 2024.
- Win against Jermell Charlo by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, on October 1, 2023.
- Win against Gennady Golovkin by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on September 17, 2022.
- Loss to Dmitry Bivol by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, on May 7, 2022.
- Win against Caleb Plant by TKO (punches) at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, on November 6, 2021.
If Canelo faces Bivol or Beterbiev in May, he will not have to worry about critics taking shots at his choice of opposition. Bivol and Beterbiev are monsters, and the former already owns a win over Canelo.
Berlanga might have raised his stock. No one gave him much of a chance to win the fight. If nothing else, he proved he was tough.
Edgar Berlanga’s Last 5 Fights Before Loss to Canelo Alvarez
- Win against Padraig McCrory by KO in the 6th round at Caribe Royale Orlando, Florida, on February 24, 2024.
- Win against Jason Quigley by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden, New York, on June 24, 2023.
- Win against Steve Rolls by unanimous decision at Hulu Theater, Madison Square Garden, New York, on March 19, 2022.
- Win against Marcelo Esteban Coceres by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on October 9, 2021.
- Win against Demond Nicholson by unanimous decision at Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee, Florida on April 24, 2021
That said, some fight fans might be slightly turned off by his satisfaction with the loss.