Mexico vs Puerto Rico Biggest Fights

Saul Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga becomes the biggest fight of Mexican vs. Puerto Rican boxing after it was officially set. After months of jockeying and speculation about who would face undefeated super middleweight world champion Saul Canelo Alvarez, the boxer and his promoter confirmed Thursday that Canelo will fight Edgar Berlanga on September 14 in Las Vegas.

Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) had been eyeing Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) for weeks, with an eye on the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry fight that would take place over Mexican Independence Day weekend — which had been a highlight of Canelo’s annual fight calendar. Despite WBC super middleweight mandatory challenger David Benavidez’s desire to fight Saul Canelo Alvarez, as well as a possible fight with William Scull and several other options, Canelo — for better or worse — chose Berlanga, who is now the WBA’s number-one-ranked mandatory challenger.

”I am very excited about this fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico,” said Saul Canelo Alvarez. ”It is great to be part of another great fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico in the ring, as historically we have always offered unforgettable and exciting fights. I am proud to contribute to this legacy, and facing an opponent like Edgar Berlanga will add to the excitement and meaning of this event.”

Critics have highlighted Canelo Alvarez’s reluctance to fight Benavidez and dismissed Berlanga as too green an opponent for Canelo, a four-division champion and pound-for-pound record-holder who, despite showing signs of decline, remains one of boxing’s elite fighters at the age of 34. Although Berlanga, 27, recently overcame his toughest challenge to date, a sixth-round knockout of Padraig McCrory in February, he has never faced anyone in the same weight class as Canelo Alvarez.

Ultimately, Berlanga’s power — who started his career with 16 straight first-round KOs — and Puerto Rican heritage make him a worthy (and therefore suitable) opponent for Alvarez. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Berlanga said.

The fight, which will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas – where Alvarez has fought nine times, including four of his last five – will headline a PBC PPV event on Prime Video. In the co-main event, Cuba’s Erislandy Lara will defend his middleweight title against former two-time world champion Danny Swift of Puerto Rico in a 12-round bout.

(aww)