EDGAR Berlanga faces the ultimate career acid test on Saturday evening when he takes on Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the T-Mobile Arena live on pay-per-view.
Buzzing with the conviction of an undefeated fighter, who has a talent for putting opponents’ lights out, while Berlanga stares across the ring at a man who has been there and done it all, the 27-year-old has a few accomplishments of his own to fulfill.
“One thing on my bucket list is becoming the undisputed champion in the 168-pound division,” Berlanga said in an interview with the PBC.
Various opponents have adopted different strategies to deal with Canelo. Some enter cautiously, buttering him up with compliments, almost happy with the payday, trying to avoid too much of a beating.
August 6, 2024; Beverly Hills, California; Edgar Berlanga speaks during a press conference to announce his fight versus Saul “Canelo Alvarez on September 14th, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.
Others adopt the attack dog approach, like Caleb Plant, who ramped up the excitement ahead of his 2021 unification with Canelo by getting in his face and throwing early hands.
Canelo made it clear which approach he prefers, saying that Berlanga’s confidence and constant chattering make it all the sweeter when a loquacious challenger steps in the ring as he can proceed in “breaking their face”. Clearly irked, the Mexican promised Berlanga the beatdown of his life.
If Berlanga is to take a huge step towards unifying the 168-pound weight class, he will have to walk through some potentially face-arranging fire to do so. While the New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent has 17 KOs in 22 wins, he has never met anyone with the ring smarts, experience, and all-around quality of Canelo.