Canelo vs Berlanga: Take Time!
By Eddie Sanchez
Canelo Alvarez spent his Saturday doing what he often does during Mexican Independence Day weekends: handling business. This time, it was a victory over undefeated challenger Edgar Berlanga.
The unified super middleweight champion dominated Berlanga, earning a unanimous decision (117-110, 118-109, 118-109) in his fifth consecutive title defense to go the distance.
Unlike past fights where Alvarez needed time to find his rhythm, he took control from the opening bell. He secured the first two rounds and knocked Berlanga down with a left hook in the third. From that point, Alvarez continued to inflict damage, though Berlanga managed to hang on.
Alvarez grew stronger as the fight progressed, but Berlanga kept up his trash talk throughout. Berlanga had several missteps, including a warning for an intentional headbutt and a tumble after missing a power punch. His efforts to irritate Alvarez before and during the fight persisted, with Alvarez occasionally exchanging words.
In the end, Berlanga’s talk outweighed his punches, but the two shared a respectful embrace after the final bell, both knowing the outcome was clear.
Despite the loss, Berlanga put up a respectable effort. Known for his streak of first-round knockouts, he was a heavy underdog going into the fight, yet by the end, he showed he belonged in the ring with Alvarez—an achievement in itself as he eyes his next opponent.
For Alvarez, the win extended his streak of decisions, as he hasn’t secured a stoppage since defeating Caleb Plant in November 2021. While the 34-year-old still looked sharp, the lack of finishes may raise questions about his longevity in the sport.
