Canelo vs Berlanga: Everything You Need to Know
The long-awaited Canelo fight against Berlanga has already become a reality and part of the world’s boxing history. Below, we examine the bout, from preparation to aftermath, in retrospect.
Fight Announcement and Build-Up
Saúl Álvarez announced his decision to fight Berlanga instead of William Scull, his IBF’s mandatory challenger, in late July 2024. By doing so, he gave up the undisputed crown in super middleweight and opted to defend his three remaining titles.
Key Date: When and Where It Happened
“What time does Canelo vs Berlanga start?” and “When is Canelo vs Berlanga?” were frequently searched questions after the fight announcement.
As scheduled, the bout was held on Saturday night, September 14, 2024, on the eve of Mexican Independence Day. The famous T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosted the momentous event.
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Fighter Profiles
Here are the contenders’ brief profiles and achievements before their September matchup.
Canelo Álvarez
Age | 34 (born July 18, 1990) |
Record | 61-2-2, 39 KO wins |
Titles | WBA, WBO, WBC |
Edgar Berlanga
Age | 27 (born May 18, 1997) |
Record | 22-0, 17 KO wins |
Titles | NABO |
Pre-Fight Hype and Promotion
The fight was massively promoted on social media and dedicated sports platforms, with both boxers making loud statements during pressers and contributing heavily to the hype.
Press Conferences and Trash Talk
Álvarez and Berlanga appeared at a series of press conferences, including in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, doing a lot of trash talk, which was both sharp and fun.
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What Were Fans Saying?
Each contender had strong supporters, and both camps agreed it would be an interesting encounter, either solidifying Canelo’s champion status or signifying Berlanga’s breakthrough.
Style Matchup: Power vs Experience
The established Mexican and the rising Puerto Rican stars stepped into the T-Mobile Arena ring with their own strengths and advantages. The Mexican had experience, tactical prowess, and signature counterpunches in his arsenal. The Puerto Rican confronted his opponent with remarkable power and great knockout potential.
Previous Opponents and Performances
It was both boxers’ second fight in 2024. Here’s an overview of their past performances.
Canelo’s Recent Battles
Over the past years, Álvarez has masterfully defended his four super middleweight titles by beating Golovkin in 2022, Ryder and Charlo in 2023, and Munguía in 2024. However, he suffered a significant defeat from Bivol, who had been regarded as an underdog, in May 2022.
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Berlanga’s Fights and Notable Knockouts
Berlanga had an incredible career start, knocking out his first 16 opponents in the opening round. From 2021 to 2023, he earned and repeatedly retained the NABO super middleweight title. In February 2024, he knocked out McCrory and remained unbeaten until September 14.
Predictions and Odds
The matchup’s result did not come out as a big surprise and met the overall expectations. Pundits predicted the bout to end with Canelo’s victory, either by KO or unanimously awarded.
All bookmakers, without exception, favored the Mexican with an average betting odds of -2000, while the Puerto Rican was considered a clear-cut underdog with odds of +1000. In terms of bettors’ profitability, the best odds were, as usual, on the 1xBet site.
How It Was Broadcasted
In addition to the Canelo vs Berlanga matchup date and time, sports enthusiasts frequently googled “Canelo vs Berlanga where to watch” or “Where to watch Canelo vs Berlanga free.”
TV Channels and Streaming Information
The bout was streamed live on DAZN and Amazon Prime pay-per-view. Additionally, dedicated platforms, such as MMA Fighting, provided real-time updates.
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Historical Significance and Legacy
Now that the fight has already occurred, let’s recap what the outcome means for the contenders.
The 12-round bout has reinforced Álvarez’s legacy, kept him the world’s unified super middleweight champion, and reestablished him as a headliner in his weight class.
Meeting Canelo has brought Berlanga his first career loss. However, he hadn’t unleashed his full potential during the fight and could have done better, which he also admitted himself later.
Post-Fight Scenarios
What’s in store for the boxers, and who will they face next? Below are matchups whose probability is considered realistic by both experts and fans.
Potential Next Fights for Canelo
- Canelo vs Bivol
- Canelo vs Benavidez
- Canelo vs Crawford
Potential Next Fights for Berlanga
- Berlanga vs Munguía
- Berlanga vs Plant
- Berlanga vs Pacheco
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