Unified 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez returns on September 14 against undefeated contender Edgar Berlanga at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas(Prime Video PPV/DAZN PPV).
This week, Alvarez and Berlanga went face-to-face at back-to-back press conferences, starting in New York City on Monday and in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
It’s Mexico against Puerto Rico, with Canelo representing Mexico and Berlanga representing Puerto Rico.
In this fight, Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) is thought to have no shot at beating Alvarez, but the 27-year-old is confident that he can shock the world.
“There’s a lot of doubt out there on me, but I’ve been facing adversity all my life,” Berlanga said. “This is my opportunity to be legendary in the sport of boxing. September 14 is going to be something to remember. Puerto Rico vs. Mexico is the biggest rivalry in boxing and we’re making history September 14.”
The Brooklyn native, who started his career with 16 straight first-round stoppages, says he’s been overlooked his whole life.
“Even if I had a world title, I’d still be overlooked,” Berlanga said. “Nobody wanted to sign me when I went pro, I had to dig my feet deep into the ground and work. I feel like I’m in the same position right now.
“Canelo is definitely going to bring the best out of me. He’s going to have the best Edgar Berlanga ever in front of him. Every time I step up, I step up my abilities.”
Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) might not be what he used to be, but the 34-year-old is still very good and expects to be at his best on fight night.
“I’m going to be at my best on September 14, and I’m not gonna have any compassion for him,” Alvarez said. “I’m going to be different. He needs 20 of him to give me any problems.
“I motivate myself because I love what I do. But this type of fight, and these types of fighters who talk to me like that, it motivates me even more. It gets me excited. I’m going to train like never before to win everything on September 14.”
Berlanga believes his IQ will be the difference in this fight. Canelo, who has fought Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto, thinks Berlanga’s IQ is not better than his.
“Take it easy, man, because your turn is coming,” Alvarez said. “He thinks he has more intelligence than me and everyone I’ve fought. Come on, bro, he’s not gonna be able to touch me. I wanna see him try.”
Also on the card, WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García as they previewed their 12-round co-main event between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.
In addition, former IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb Plant and surging unbeaten Trevor McCumby, who square off for the currently vacant Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title in a pay-per-view attraction, plus former world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes, who meet in a 10-round super lightweight clash that opens the pay-per-view.
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