By Kleberly Mendoza
14 Jul 2024, 16:30 PM EDT
Promoter Eddie Hearn explained the reasons why Edgar Berlanga, mandatory challenger of the World Boxing Association (WBA), It is the best option for the return by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September.
In an interview with Fight Hype, Hearn indicated that he is hopeful that Canelo Alvarez will choose Berlanga because He is a big hitter, because of the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry and it will be a tough fight for the tapatío.
“There have been some conversations, but nothing significant. (Berlanga) It is the mandatory rival and deserves the opportunity. Mexico against Puerto Rico promises to be a great clash.and we are hopeful that he will be the one who receives the call from Canelo. We are in (Canelo’s) options. That’s the best way to explain it. (…) I have heard rumors of rivals like Chris Eubank Jr. or (Jermall) Charlo, but I don’t see them as commercially viable fights, nor do I see them as competitive fights,” he said.
“I like Edgar Berlanga’s choices. He is from Puerto Rico, He has personality, he’s a big puncher, and he’s going to go out and fight. It’s a tough fight. Canelo is a great pound for pound fighter. One of the best fighters in the world, but I think Edgar Berlanga is the fight that should be made, and obviously, we are waiting for that call,” he added.
Canelo Alvarez He is scheduled to fight again on the weekend of September 16but -as reported by Salvador Rodríguez of ESPN- his return could be postponed a few weeks because the UFC will hold an event dedicated to Mexicans at Sphere in Las Vegas to celebrate this date.
After the Mexican reached an agreement with his mandatory challenger William Scull in order to keep his International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt, Edgar Berlanga and David Benavídez, both mandatory rivals, were the strongest options for their second duel in 2024but Chris Eubank Jr. now appears to be the favorite to step into the ring.
Berlanga has been the favorite to fight the Mexican in September since the beginning of the year and, after becoming mandatory, the Puerto Rican has stepped up his campaign to get a shot at the titles super middleweight and could get it very soon.
Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, 33, was able to recover from a bad start and He beat his compatriot Jaime Munguía on the judges’ cards in Las Vegas. The undisputed 168-pound champion has a record of 61 wins (39 by knockout), two losses and two draws in his professional career.
Meanwhile, Edgar Berlanga, 26, retained the WBO NABO super middleweight title with a win over Padraig McCrory. The Puerto Rican fighter has an undefeated record with 22 wins, 17 of them by knockout.
Keep reading:
· Edgar Berlanga praises Canelo Álvarez: “He is a legend”
· Edgar Berlanga believes he is a different fighter than any other Canelo Alvarez has faced
· Eddie Hearn believes there is a chance that Canelo Alvarez will fight Edgar Berlanga in September