Hearn: Canelo Vs. Berlanga Could Happen In Saudi

Canelo Alvarez could fight Edgar Berlanga in Saudi Arabia. 

That is according to Eddie Hearn. Alvarez has been ordered to defend his Undisputed Super Middleweight Title against William Scull. Reports indicate that the two camps have agreed on a deal, preventing any purse bids. It also means Canelo will not be stripped. But there is still a lack of clarity over the nature of the deal. Reports indicate it is a step-aside deal, which would allow Canelo to pursue a bigger fight.

The fight with Scull is hard to sell, given the increasing demand from fans to see the David Benavidez bout. But a fight with Berlanga on Mexican Independence Day could sell, given the huge fanbase of both fighters. Canelo represents Mexico, while Berlanga represents Puerto Rico. A fight with Berlanga could set up a potential fight with Terence Crawford, as the chances of making the Benavidez fight appear slim. Since Hearn did promote Canelo, he could not see a scenario where Canelo fights Scull next. 

Canelo Vs. Berlanga

“I can’t in a million years believe they’re going to fight Scull. I would think that it’s a deal to step aside. I’m sure there’s a lot of conversations with Canelo Alvarez all around the world. I’m not really involved in those other than a potential fight with Edgar Berlanga, which there have been some murmurs of. There are no negotiations on that fight.

“Obviously, he’s under contract with us. He’s a Matchroom fighter. It’s a great fight. I think there’s a chance Canelo could fight Berlanga in September. We’ll wait for the call. It’s a fight that could take place in Saudi Arabia. I know His Excellency would like to make Canelo-Crawford. So, is there a pre-plan? I’m not involved in those discussions, but I will be if Edgar Berlanga gets the pick,” Hearn said

Nevertheless, will boxing fans be happy with the Berlanga fight? Canelo’s last fight with Jaimie Munguia was criticized since it was priced at $89.99 on PPV. That was more than the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. If Alvarez wanted those big purses, he had to fight boxers who would give him a competitive fight.

Canelo vs. Benavidez

The Saudis have shown they will pay for the biggest fights, with Fury reportedly earning over $100 million for the Usyk fight. The rise of illegal streaming in PPVs also hurts the bottom line that fighters make. Spectators may resort to more streaming if they feel the fights are not offering fans value for money. The failure to make Canelo vs. Benavidez would be a massive blow. Trainer Bernard Hackett had this to say. 

“Morrell, he can fight. ‘Slim’ is a real monster – he’s a beast. I think Benavidez is also a beast. I feel more sympathy for Benavidez because I’m a Canelo fan. But I think Benavidez deserves his shot because he’s in that era with Canelo. If we don’t get a Canelo-Benavidez fight, that’ll be sad for boxing…Like I always say, boxing has generations that have eras, and his era is coming. Benavidez’s era is with Canelo,” Hackett said

Comments

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.