By Ricardo Lezama 
Mexican boxer Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez has reportedly agreed to a match against American competitor Edgar Berlanga. The fight is slated to take place in September. The sports community is buzzing about the planned clash, with many excited at the prospect of witnessing the renowned Canelo take on his latest challenger. Some of his most stalwart supporters are already posting tweets showing their approval:
Mexico vs Puerto Rico sells 🤷🏻♀️
— Laiza (@laizar27) July 23, 2024
As usual in high level boxing, the upcoming match is met with both anticipation and criticism from fans. Berlanga, a Puerto Rican contender who is ranked #1 for the WBA, possesses a sterling record, and is set to face Canelo at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 14, Independence weekend — a date significant in Mexican culture. One glaring question is why not the Madison Square Garden given the number of Puerto Rican and Mexicans in this region too?
The event promises a thrilling spectacle for boxing enthusiasts as Berlanga has remained undefeated in his 22 fights, paving the way for an electrifying face-off between the two titans. According to sources that confided in ESPN, the finalization of the agreement is still underway. However, fans are eager to mark their calendars for the championship super middleweight defense battle. Canelo, a leading boxing star, has received mixed reviews for his choice of opponent.
Mexican and Ecuadorian US born, David Benavidez, who evidently hoped for a duel with Canelo, informed the World Boxing Council of his decision to remain a 175-pound contender following the announcement of the Canelo-Berlanga bout. Benavidez had been angling for a 168 pound showdown with Canelo, but past statements from Benavidez insulting the Mexican champion amounted to the idea of Canelo providing a major payday as anethema to the legendary boxer.
Nonetheless, Benavidez has voiced his disappointment, calling the upcoming Berlanga fight as “a showdown the public did not ask for.”. However, some fans argue that Berlanga, being undefeated, will provide strong competition for Canelo. As the date of the match approaches, the boxing community waits to see whether the Canelo-Berlanga saga lives up to its hype and becomes a memorable face-off in boxing history or simply another testament to the business-driven era of the sport.