In the lead-up to the highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga, the reigning WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion has made it clear that he is eager to teach the brash New Yorker a lesson he won’t soon forget. Canelo’s competitive spirit has been fueled by the trash talk and cockiness exhibited by Berlanga during the promotion of the fight. The Mexican superstar has expressed his desire to “break [Berlanga’s] face” and deliver what he refers to as the “beating of his life” when they step into the ring at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
There is no denying that Edgar Berlanga’s ascent to the top of the super middleweight rankings has been met with skepticism and criticism. Many boxing observers question the validity of Berlanga’s #1 ranking by the WBA, especially considering his lack of significant victories against top contenders in the division. Berlanga’s decision to forego a mandatory title challenge against WBA ‘regular’ champion David Morrell further adds to the controversy surrounding his ranking. It has led to suggestions that Berlanga’s matchup against Canelo Alvarez could potentially be a mismatch, with doubts raised about his readiness to face a fighter of Canelo’s caliber.
One of the contentious issues surrounding the Canelo vs. Berlanga fight is the cost of the pay-per-view event. Fans looking to watch the fight live on DAZN will have to shell out $89.99, a price tag that has raised eyebrows among boxing enthusiasts. The lack of compelling undercard matchups further complicates the value proposition for fans, with little incentive beyond the main event to justify the steep price of admission. While the allure of seeing Canelo in action may be enough for some fans to justify the cost, others may feel underwhelmed by the lackluster undercard offerings.
The undercard lineup for the Canelo vs. Berlanga event has been met with mixed reactions from boxing fans and critics alike. Notable matchups such as Erislandy Lara vs. Danny Garcia and Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero vs. Manuel Jaimes have drawn scrutiny for various reasons. The perceived lack of competitiveness in certain matchups, such as Lara defending his title against an inactive Garcia, has left fans questioning the quality of the undercard fights. Similarly, Romero’s choice of opponent in Jaimes following a knockout loss raises concerns about the level of competition on display.
The upcoming fight between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga has generated significant buzz and excitement within the boxing community. However, the criticisms surrounding Berlanga’s ranking, the cost of the pay-per-view event, and the undercard matchups serve as reminders of the complexities and controversies that often accompany high-profile boxing events. As fans eagerly await fight night, the spotlight will be on Canelo and Berlanga to deliver a memorable and competitive showdown that lives up to the hype surrounding their clash in the ring.