By Abu Mahmood: On September 14th, Edgar Berlanga (22-0-0, 17KOs) challenges for the unified super middleweight WBO, WBA, and WBC championships in his first world title shot. In the other corner, looking to defend and retain these world titles, is Canelo Álvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs).
To many, this matchup is a foregone conclusion, but in the sport of boxing, where one punch can change the entire dynamic of a fight, nothing can be counted out.
So, how do these 2 match up against each other?
In this article, we’ll explore some of the advantages that both fighters possess against each other.
Edgar Berlanga
Height and reach: Berlanga stands tall at 6ft 1in with a reach of 73 inches. A fighter with a longer reach is able to dictate the fight using their reach to their advantage by keeping the opponent at bay and timing them. Using his reach, Berlanga is able to time and catch his opponents with punches they do not see coming. An advantage he used to secure 16 first-round knockouts.
Able to change pace at will: Berlanga is the younger fighter at 27 years old and has a lot more in the gas tank as he has not been in many wars. This allows him to stay fresh and allows him to change and dictate the pace of the fight when he wants. Baiting the opponent into slowing down and then suddenly coming forward with shots is something Berlanga does to throw his opponents off so that they do not relax and get comfortable. A nervous opponent is one that is prone to more mistakes.
Aggression: Berlanga is known for his aggression and his willingness to come forward and stay on the front foot. This allows him to bully the opponent and shut them down. Simple things like cutting the ring off or keeping the front hand hovering slightly above the opponent’s hand can allow a fighter to dictate the flow of the fight.
Canelo Álvarez:
Experience: For Canelo, this will be his 66th fight. After fighting on the biggest stages in boxing, he is used to nerves and how it feels to be on that stage with thousands of spectators. This will come in useful as a calm fighter is one that focuses more and is less distracted by the big lights and the cheers and jeers of the crowd.
Power: Canelo is known for his devastating power and he has shown this all throughout his career. Most notably in his fight against Amir Khan, where he knocked him out with a perfectly-timed right hand in the 6th round. His fight against Billy Joe Saunders is another, more recent example of Canelo’s power, in which he broke Saunder’s orbital bone.
Fight IQ: Canelo has fought many opponents and has fought against many different styles. He is used to fighting against taller opponents such as Rocky Fielding. Álvarez has fought against different styles, which allows him to adapt to different techniques and allows him to adapt his gameplan on the go.
In this writers opinion, this fight will depend primarily on what Berlanga can bring to the table in terms of his gameplan. Canelo is 34 and has shown signs of slowing down and as Berlanga is entering his prime at 27, this is his chance to etch his name in the history books.
That being said, Canelo has fended off a plethora of challengers and has shown that dethroning him will be a punch-perfect task. With Canelo’s experience, will this be another Canelo masterclass, or will Edgar Berlanga shock the world and take his seat on the throne of the super-middleweight division?
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