Canelo Alvarez to Defend Titles Against Edgar Berlanga on Mexican Independence Day Weekend

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Canelo Alvarez is set to defend his super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This highly anticipated matchup coincides with the Mexican Independence Day weekend, a time when Alvarez has historically showcased some of his most significant fights. The bout will feature Alvarez's WBC, WBA, and WBO titles in the 168-pound division and will be available for pay-per-view on Prime Video. Alvarez, boasting a professional record of 61 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws with 39 knockouts, has built a reputation as one of boxing's elite fighters. His previous encounters during this festive period include all three of his notable fights against Gennady Golovkin. In contrast, his opponent, Edgar Berlanga, holds an undefeated record of 22 wins, including 17 by knockout. Berlanga initially gained attention for his remarkable streak of first-round knockouts but has faced challenges in maintaining that explosive performance since moving up in weight. Berlanga's most recent victory came in February, where he stopped Padraig McCrory, reigniting interest in his potential. The New York native, who represents Puerto Rico, is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBA in the 168-pound category, setting the stage for a compelling clash with Alvarez. In addition to the main event, the co-main fight will feature Erislandy Lara defending his WBA middleweight title against former champion Danny Garcia, who has held titles in both the 140 and 147-pound divisions.