News that undisputed super middleweight world champion, Canelo Alvarez will be fighting Edgar Berlanga next was not particularly well received by the boxing world – however Eddie Hearn has jumped to his charge’s defence.
Canelo will defend his four world titles against Berlanga, who has been promoted by Hearn since last February, on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Fans are growing ever more frustrated at the Mexican’s apparent reluctance to lock horns with David Benavidez, who is widely regarded as his toughest test at 168lbs.
Hearn, however, has perhaps unsurprisingly been bigging up Berlanga’s chances against Alvarez this autumn, despite the fact most observers view the heavy handed Puerto Rican as a considerable underdog.
In an interview with The Stomping Ground this week, the Matchroom boss hit back at those shooting down the selection of ‘The Chosen One.’
💥Mañana preventa de boletos para #CaneloBerlanga
CĂłdigo: CANELO
🎟️ 👉🏻https://t.co/qHF4y8Pw8c@premierboxing pic.twitter.com/JcAz8fQX18
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) July 28, 2024
“I’m team Edgar Berlanga, no doubt about it.
“We’re the underdog going into that fight, but he’ll give it everything, he really will.
“I mean for people to criticise.. this kid is a good fighter. He’s a powerful 168 pounder who punches very, very hard.
“He’s the mandatory challenger and he’s ready to fight and give everything on September 14th.”
Berlanga was viewed as one of the sports brightest rising stars not so long ago, helped in no small part by a remarkable 16 first round finishes in his first 16 professional bouts.
This first round was just mass destruction.
Good grief, @EdgarBerlangaJr. 🇵🇷🔥#StevensonClary | ESPN pic.twitter.com/4VFw4fbZsG
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 13, 2020
However, five somewhat underwhelming – and in a couple of cases, controversial – decision victories followed, causing universal pumping of the brakes on what was arguably boxing’s biggest hype train.
That said, the 27-year-old produced a career-best performance last time out as he scored a much needed knockout against previously undefeated Irishman Padraig McCory.
Berlanga’s confidence is likely riding high following the McCory victory, but he and his team will be fully aware that pound-for-pound star Alvarez represents a mammoth step-up in class.
