Canelo Alvarez solidified his reign as boxing’s top super middleweight by decisively defeating Edgar Berlanga via unanimous decision on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) systematically dismantled his younger, less experienced opponent from the opening bell, landing a brutal left hook in Round 3 that resulted in a knockdown.
The Mexican star maintained control throughout the 12 rounds, dominating the exchanges and pressuring Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) against the ropes. Judges scored the fight 117-110 and 118-109 (twice) in Alvarez’s favor, giving him his fifth consecutive decision victory. Despite the blowout loss, Berlanga showcased admirable poise and resilience, managing to withstand Alvarez’s relentless attacks.
‼️ Terence Crawford and His Excellency Turki Alalshikh calling out Canelo Alvarez after his win vs Edgar Berlanga…
Alvarez’s precise punching and masterful ring generalship were evident in the fight statistics. According to CompuBox, he outlanded Berlanga by a significant margin, connecting on 201 punches to Berlanga’s 119. Alvarez’s accuracy was remarkable, with 43% of his total punches landing, including 49% of his power shots. The result delighted the crowd of over 20,000 fans who packed the arena to celebrate Mexican Independence Day weekend.
This win silences critics questioning Alvarez’s recent fight choices and sets up the potential for bigger matchups. Among the options, Alvarez mentioned a possible rematch with Dmitry Bivol, provided Bivol secures a victory over Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight title in October. Another intriguing possibility is a showdown with Terence Crawford, who expressed interest in challenging Alvarez at the 168-pound limit.
Berlanga, despite the loss, displayed a strong chin and a commendable effort against one of the sport’s elite. However, Alvarez’s skill, power, and experience were too much to handle, highlighting the gulf in class between the two fighters. With this dominant performance, Alvarez remains the man to beat at 168 pounds. Boxing fans eagerly await the announcement of his next opponent, as the potential for high-profile clashes looms large in the wake of this victory.
