Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

8 minutes read. Updated 5:22AM GMT Sun, 15 September, 2024

Mexican boxing legend Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his unified super middleweight world titles with a commanding unanimous decision over previously undefeated Edgar Berlanga in a high-stakes bout in Las Vegas. The fight, held at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, showcased Alvarez’s dominance as he sent Berlanga to the canvas in the third round and maintained relentless pressure throughout the 12-round contest.

Alvarez, now 62-2-2 (39 KOs), delivered a punishing performance, landing devastating body shots and a notable right hand in the ninth round that nearly ended the fight. Berlanga, who had earned a reputation for his knockout power with 16 first-round KOs early in his career, struggled to handle the Mexican champion’s experience and precision. As the final rounds approached, Berlanga’s corner could be heard questioning his condition, highlighting Alvarez’s unyielding dominance.

Despite his brash pre-fight predictions, Berlanga could not find the stoppage he had hoped for. Even with moments of defiance, including a taunt toward Alvarez in the final round, the Puerto Rican-American boxer could not overcome the seasoned champion. Berlanga, 27, now stands at 22-1, suffering his first professional defeat.

Alvarez knocked Berlanga down with a powerful left hook in the third round, sending shockwaves through the crowd of over 20,000 at T-Mobile Arena. Though Berlanga quickly got back on his feet, he spent the remainder of the fight on the defensive as Alvarez delivered blow after blow, particularly targeting Berlanga’s body. The judges scored the fight overwhelmingly in Alvarez’s favor: 118-109, 118-109, and 117-110.

Alvarez Reclaims Dominance

With this victory, Alvarez reaffirmed his status as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. After the fight, he addressed criticism from detractors who previously questioned his willingness to fight younger opponents. “What are they going to say now? Before, they said I fought older fighters. Now what are they going to say?” Alvarez asked triumphantly.

This win comes after Alvarez was stripped of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt in July for choosing to fight Berlanga over mandatory challenger William Scull. However, the decision didn’t seem to matter to Alvarez’s passionate fans, especially as the bout took place on Mexican Independence Day weekend—a holiday Alvarez has claimed as his own, further cementing his legacy.

Alvarez, a four-division world champion, has been accused of avoiding rising star David Benavidez, a claim he brushed aside after the fight. “I’m going to rest with my family, and then I’ll decide what’s next,” he said, leaving the door open for potential future matchups.

Berlanga’s Respect for Alvarez

Despite his defeat, Berlanga expressed admiration for Alvarez, sharing a heartfelt moment in the ring at the final bell. “I was telling him that he’s my idol,” Berlanga revealed. “Since I was a kid, I looked up to him.” Though he lost the fight, Berlanga remains one of the most promising boxers in the super middleweight division and will undoubtedly aim for redemption in his next bout.

Undercard Results: Erislandy Lara vs. Danny Garcia

On the undercard, veteran Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara retained his WBA middleweight world title with a ninth-round stoppage of Danny Garcia. The slow pace of the fight drew boos from the crowd, but Lara, 41, delivered when it mattered, dropping Garcia to a knee with a straight left in the ninth round. Garcia’s father and coach, Angel, called for the bout to be halted at the end of the round, ensuring a victory for Lara, who improved his record to 31-3-3 (19 KOs). Garcia, now 37-4 (21 KOs), was returning to the ring for the first time since July 2022 but couldn’t keep pace with the Cuban champion.

Meta Description: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez retains his super middleweight world titles with a decisive win over Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas, cementing his dominance in the boxing world on Mexican Independence Day weekend.