Pound-for-pound boxing legend and Mexican icon Canelo Álvarez is set to defend his unified WBC, WBA, and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles against the undefeated WBA No. 1-ranked contender Edgar Berlanga. The bout will headline Saturday, Sept. 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, coinciding with the Mexican Independence Day weekend.
This matchup continues the storied boxing rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, with Canelo representing the fighting pride of Mexico and Berlanga stepping up for Puerto Rico. This historic rivalry has seen legendary battles, such as Salvador Sánchez vs. Wilfredo Gómez and Julio César Chávez Sr. vs. Héctor Camacho. Canelo, who has previously triumphed over Puerto Rican Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, is no stranger to these high-stakes encounters.
“Every day we are preparing,” said Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s manager and trainer. “We know that Berlanga is a good fighter, a strong, undefeated fighter. The confrontations within boxing between Mexico and Puerto Rico are always intense fights, very morbid fights and, above all, very good boxing.”
Fans can expect a thrilling fight as these two powerhouses clash in what promises to be another memorable chapter in the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing saga.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The co-main event of the evening will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy Lara facing hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny García in a 12-round showdown. Both Lara and García are among the most accomplished fighters of their era, promising an electrifying matchup for boxing fans and adding to the long line of historic Mexican vs. Puerto Rican matchups.