Edgar Berlanga Responds To Criticism Over Being Canelo’s Next Opponent: ‘I Have Star Power’
Edgar Berlanga has responded to the criticism aimed at Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for picking the American as his next opponent, insisting he has the “superstar” status that will help sell the fight.
Berlanga (22-0-0 17 KO) will compete in his first world title bout on September 14 when he faces unified super-middleweight champion Canelo (61-2-2 39 KO) at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The 27-year-old New Yorker is among the top contenders in the 168lbs division and is ranked as the No 1 challenger by the WBA (he is fourth in the WBO and IBF standings), so he was always going to be on the shortlist for Alvarez’s next fight.
However, by signing to fight Berlanga, Canelo opened himself up to widespread criticism for continuing to avoid David Benavidez – the WBC interim champion and his mandatory challenger for almost two years. The Mexican star also avoided his WBA mandatory, the ‘regular’ champion David Morrell.
‘Benavidez And Morrell Don’t Sell’
These are the two fighters, particularly Benavidez, that fans want to see Canelo tested against, so the announcement of Berlanga was met with apathy and indifference.
“Benavidez doesn’t sell, Morrell doesn’t sell. They don’t have that superstar status that I have,” Berlanga told BoxingScene. “They don’t have that power. I have a country behind me.
“I have Puerto Rico behind me, and I got the hip hop culture behind me. I know that’s why Canelo picked me, because we’re going to sell but we’re also going to fight and it’s going to be a good fight.”
The choice of Berlanga also continues what many fans feel is an underwhelming run of matchups from Canelo. Since his light-heavyweight defeat to WBA champion Dimitry Bivol in 2022, Alvarez has fought a past-his-best Gennady Golovkin, a limited John Ryder, and a Jermell Charlo two weights above his natural division.
Berlanga To Face A Fading Canelo?
Canelo’s other fight of 2024 saw him ease past a game but out-of-his-depth Jaime Munguia, whom he dropped in the fourth round and defeated comfortably on points.
It’s a stark difference for a fighter with a long list of champions on his record, including Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, and twice a prime Golovkin.
However, it’s difficult to blame Canelo for taking the perceived easier options in recent years. Berlanga will be his 66th professional fight in a 19-year career during which he has earned hundreds of millions of dollars and secured his legacy as one of the finest fighters in Mexican history.
There is also the concern that Canelo, after such a long and active career, might be starting to slow down. His victory over Munguia was his fourth-straight win on points, leading some to suggest that the four-weight world champion might be in gradual decline.
Berlanga A ‘Mystery’ To Canelo
Berlanga was ringside for that bout in Las Vegas and is adamant he witnessed the same sharp and dangerous Alvarez.
“I don’t see decline in Canelo,” Berlanga said. “Canelo was Canelo. Munguia is a guy who throws a lot of punches and doesn’t really use his IQ. If he had used his IQ a lot more, the outcome would have probably been different. I think Canelo will be in the best shape and in the best form for this fight, and it’s going to be fireworks that weekend.”
Berlanga exploded onto the scene by knocking out his first 16 opponents in the first round. However, that run was followed by five wins on points, before returning to knockout form last time out against Padraig McCrory in February.
“What’s dangerous about me is that I’m not the same fighter that I was for my last fight,” he said. “I’m still a mystery [to Canelo]. Every fight I’m getting better and better. These guys at that level, they plateau. They stay stagnant. Me? I’m 27 years old but I’m still a sponge in the gym and I’m still growing and I’m still not at my full potential. I’m going to give everything I’ve got and make history on September 14.”
