Morrell Tears Into Canelo For ‘Ducking’ Cubans And Benavidez: ‘Berlanga Is Easy For Him’
WBA super-middleweight regular champion David Morrell has torn into Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for taking another “easy” option by fighting Edgar Berlanga instead of his mandatory challengers.
Morrell (10-0-0 9 KO) is considered one of the biggest talents in the 168lbs division and has held the WBA ‘regular’ world title since his interim belt, which he won in his third professional fight, was upgraded in January 2021.
However, despite his position in the division, a bout with Canelo has never been forthcoming; Morrell’s team even claimed earlier this year that an approach to the Mexican and his representatives was rejected.
It’s a similar story to David Benavidez, the unbeaten American who held the WBC’s interim title and chased Alvarez unsuccessfully for two years. Benavidez has since stepped up to light-heavyweight, and having made his debut at 175lbs with a points victory over former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk last month, will remain in the heavier weight class to pursue world titles.
Morrell is now set to follow suit on Saturday when he contests his first fight at 175 against the experienced Serbia-born American Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2-0 21 KO) as part of the stacked Riyadh Season card in Los Angeles headlined by Terence Crawford v WBA super-welterweight champion Israil Madrimov.
Canelo v Berlanga Is ‘Bulls**t’
Meanwhile, Canelo will make the latest defense of his WBA, WBC, and WBO world titles against unbeaten contender Edgar Berlanga on September 14. The IBF has decided to strip the Mexican of its title for failing to face mandatory challenger William Scull of Cuba.
“Man, this fight’s bulls**t. Everybody knows. I don’t want any more questions about this fight. It’s crazy,” Morrell said when asked about Canelo signing to fight Berlanga.
“It’s a business. Canelo [avoided] two Cuban guys at 168, and before that [he refused to fight] Benavidez. Berlanga is easy for him. Before, he brought [154-pound champion Jermell] Charlo to 168, too. Everybody’s here. I’m not talking s**t. Everything’s here. For me, this fight’s bulls**t.”
It’s a view shared by many fans, who were left frustrated by Canelo’s next choice of opponent. Alvarez’s total refusal to fight Benavidez has been made publicly clear, with the four-weight world champion insisting he wouldn’t fight him for anything less than $150 million. Canelo will be paid a lot less than that to fight Berlanga, leading to renewed accusations that he is ducking Benavidez.
“Of course. Benavidez is a great fighter,” Morrell said when asked if Canelo is purposely avoiding the American. “He’s strong. He’s not a safe (choice).”
Morrell Ready For Light-Heavy Debut
While Benavidez has made the permanent move up to light-heavyweight after reportedly receiving assurances that he will soon fight for a world title, it’s unclear whether Morrell will remain in the division or continue to try and secure a fight with Canelo at super-middle.
However, when asked if he was confident of one day fighting Alvarez, the Cuban simply rolled his eyes and laughed, strongly suggesting that he doesn’t expect it to ever happen.
Morrell has already said he feels comfortable at the new weight and is interested in the possibility of fighting for a world title at 175. Reigning unified champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA title holder Dimitry Bivol will fight for undisputed on October 12 after their initial June 1 bout was postponed due to a knee injury to Beterbiev.
There is a rematch clause in the undisputed bout, which means a world title shot for Morrell – and indeed Benavidez – might not come until the summer of 2025, although in the ever-changing landscape of professional boxing, nothing is decided.
For Morrell, the only focus now is securing his 11th straight professional win against Kalajdzic on Saturday.
