Canelo Alvarez showcased his ring IQ and unrivaled skills in a dominant victory over Edgar Berlanga, further solidifying his status as a boxing legend.
The highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga showcased once again why Canelo is regarded as one of the greatest fighters of this generation. Entering the ring with his usual calm yet powerful demeanor, Alvarez controlled the fight from the opening bell, demonstrating his elite skill set and championship mindset. Edgar Berlanga, a younger fighter touted as a future champion, gave a valiant effort but was ultimately outclassed by the experience, precision, and ring IQ of Canelo.
Throughout the fight, Berlanga showed glimpses of his potential, notably by getting off the canvas and continuing to engage with Canelo despite being clearly outmatched. Berlanga’s approach seemed to include an attempt to unsettle the champion through roughhouse tactics, including low blows, headbutts, and shots after the break. While these strategies created moments of frustration for Canelo, the seasoned champion’s composure never wavered. Canelo’s ability to remain focused under pressure speaks volumes about his maturity as a fighter and his deep experience in high-stakes bouts. Despite Berlanga’s attempts to disrupt the fight’s flow, Canelo’s dominance was never in question, earning him a clear unanimous decision victory.
Canelo’s calculated aggression, superior defense, and counterpunching nullified Berlanga’s offense, as the champion dictated the pace and direction of the fight. As expected, Alvarez’s ability to adapt mid-fight played a critical role in securing the win. Berlanga, while clearly talented, appeared to lack the polished technique needed to truly challenge Canelo’s reign at this point in his career.
Meanwhile, the undercard saw a bittersweet matchup between Erislandy Lara and Danny Garcia. This fight featured two seasoned veterans in a tactical battle. The effects of Garcia’s entering after a two year layoff was evident and for most of the bout he was unable to get into any kind of a rhythm as Lara’s technical skill and accuracy proved to be too much; leading to Garcia’s father and call the bout.
Additionally, Caleb Plant’s late-round stoppage win over Trevor McCumby was another standout moment of the night. Plant’s fight demonstrated his resilience and ability to close out fights in dramatic fashion; especially after getting dropped early in the fight, and being bullied for much of the earlier part of the fight. Plant was able to dig deep and turn the tide in the ninth where he landed a series of uppercuts and subsequent heavy blows that caused the referee to call the bout in an entertaining war between two game fighters.
In terms of the larger boxing landscape, Canelo’s continued dominance serves as a reminder that he is still the standard-bearer for excellence in the sport. While younger fighters like Berlanga continue to rise, they will need to refine their craft significantly to reach Canelo’s level.
