Saúl Canelo Álvarez Plans to Protect Status as Unified Super Middleweight Champion

September 12, 2024

4 weeks

Edgar Berlanga is a fighter who understands how to build interest in his fight against Saúl Canelo Álvarez. Berlanga likes talking about how the fight will play out, and he likes talking in general.

According to online boxing news, there are other opponents people would like to see Canelo fight against, but boxing fans will have to live with the fact that Berlanga is the next challenger for the undisputed middleweight crowd. What Berlanga, who is 22-0 with 17 career knockouts, does have to offer is consistency.

He won the NABO super middleweight championship and defended it three times. But bumping up to fight Canelo is a much different monster. Canelo is one of the biggest stars in boxing, thanks to his wars against many of the top fighters of his era.

Canelo would like to pick up another flashy win. Over the past few years, Canelo has mostly been outpointing his opponents. Canelo, who is 61-2-2 during his career, hasn’t won by knockout since he defeated Caleb Plant in November 2021.

There aren’t many good numbers to play straight up, as Canelo is -2000 to win on the moneyline. The better number may be to play this fight going over 8.5 rounds. Berlanga will be nervous on the big stage.

Canelo’s power hasn’t carried over as of late. But Canelo’s cardio will help him wear out his younger opponent. Many people are interested in seeing Canelo moving on to some different challengers. The star boxer isn’t getting any younger and people don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see him compete again.

Bets to consider: Over 8.5 rounds (-115)

Mexican Independence Day Has Competition

Nearly every year, Canelo, who is a Mexican native, wants to have fights around Cinco de Mayo or Mexican Independence Day. This weekend will be a good test of Canelo’s drawing power.

The UFC is also having a big pay-per-view in Las Vegas at the Sphere. The question for the Canelo card is whether people will be interested in seeing some of the fights down the card as well. Here’s our quick look at a betting preview for the rest of the fights to be contested.

Can Garcia Shake Off Ring Rust?

Danny Garcia is eager to get back into the fire. The former lineal super lightweight champion won’t have it easy when he returns to the boxing ring after a two-year absence. He will take on Erislandy Lara, who is the WBA middleweight champion.

Garcia is hoping to become a three-division champion. Following a long break from fighting, he feels rejuvenated. For the first time since he started boxing, he is entering a fight feeling healthy.

Lara is a two-division champion and also recently returned from a long layoff of his own. Lara previously held belts at super welterweight and middleweight. While Garcia mostly spoke to the media about his recent inactivity, he has only fought three times since 2020.

Lara is on a six-fight unbeaten run dating back to 2019. He should have the juice to pick up a win over Garcia. But Garcia won’t go down easily. The latest boxing news & results show fighters returning from long layoffs often have mixed results.

Bets to consider: Lara by decision

McCumby Isn’t Ready for Step Up

Trevor McCumby has worked his way into the top 10 of the WBA super middleweight rankings. With a win over Caleb Plant, the 31-year-old McCumby could establish himself as a fighter for bigger fights. McCumby has put up a lot of solid numbers throughout his career.

He is 28-0 with 21 knockouts. During the buildup to this fight, McCumby has questioned Plant’s toughness. He accused Plant of quitting several times in the ring.

Plant is looking for a rest button for his career. He has lost two of his past three fights. During a battle for the WBC interim super middleweight title, Planet lost a unanimous decision to David Benavidez. Planet also lost via knockout to Canelo back in 2021.

Plant hasn’t been as active recently as he was before he lost to Canelo. While some of it may be related to the pandemic, it isn’t a good sign for a fighter who would like to grab belts.

Bets to consider: Under 9.5 rounds

Can Romero Slow Down James?

Rolando Romero has a fun personality, but couldn’t parlay his outgoing spirit into taking the WBA lightweight title against Gervonta Davis. Romero was able to beat Ismael Barroso for the WBA super lightweight belt, but there were some observers who believed the win was controversial because it was stopped too early.

Romero will have another opportunity to build on his reputation when he fights Manuel Jaimes. Jaimes is in the middle of a four-fight winning streak. Jaimes has finished most of the victories in his career by KO or TKO. He has won 11 of his 16 fights by stoppage.

Bets to consider: Romero ML, Fight to not go the distance -180

Fulton Seeks Successful Return

Stephen Fulton has found plenty of success in boxing as a professional and amateur fighter. Fulton won the Gold Gloves back in 2013 and has a 21-1 record as a pro. After a year out of the ring, Fulton returns, hoping to find success in a new division.

Fulton lost a pair of super bantamweight titles in a fight against Aoya Inoue. Carlos Castro will be Fulton’s challenger this weekend. Castro has put together a three-fight winning streak. The 30-year-old has also produced 14 knockout victories during his career.

Bets to consider: Fulton by decision

Here are the other fights on the card not mentioned above: