Canelo Alvarez reportedly may skip the September 14th fight and fight later in the year in Los Angeles.
The undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) may take a tune-up to prepare for a fight against Terence Crawford in 2025.
WBA Mandatory Edgar Berlanga as Possible Opponent
Mike Coppinger reported tonight that Alvarez might focus on taking a tune-up. He didn’t give a hint about who the tune-up opponent would be, but it’s believed that Canelo’s WBA mandatory Edgar Berlanga is the guy he’ll likely use to fill that role.
Ideally, Canelo needs an opponent with a similar style to Crawford, who will be coming up in weight from 154 to 168. Berlanga is a huge fighter with a light, heavyweight-sized frame, and he’s a much different type of opponent than Crawford.
Unless Canelo wants a soft touch like Berlanga, a better choice for him would be his mandatory IBF, William Scull. He’s more of a boxer in the Crawford mold and would be a good warm-up for Crawford if Canelo takes that fight in 2025.
Berlanga’s Rise to Contender Status
Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) has taken the backdoor to a title shot against Canelo by fighting largely second-tier opposition. His only top-tier opposition has been these fighters:
– Padraig McCrory
– Jason Quigley
– Roamer Alexis Angulo
– Steve Rolls
– Marcelo Esteban Coceres
If Canelo uses Berlanga as his tune-up, he’ll be criticized because the New Yorker hasn’t won the fight by fighting anyone worthy.
Of course, you can say the same thing about David Benavidez, but at least he beat Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. Those guys are worlds better than the best opposition that Berlanga has fought during his career.
The super middleweight division is so weak now that Berlanga is considered a contender, which is a sad statement because he’s beaten no one and looked average.
Benavidez’s Unfulfilled Challenge
WBC mandatory David Benavidez has been pushing for a fight against Canelo, but he just moved up to 175 and won a title eliminator against Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Canelo has already said that he’s not entertain a fight against Benavidez unless he’s paid $200 million, and he appears firm with that demand.
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