Unified title fight in super middleweight

By Daniel Mkenya

Alvarez, 34, will put his WBC, WBO and WBA super middleweight world titles on the line against Berlanga, 27, on Saturday, September 14, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Alvarez has won titles in four divisions and is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jaime Munguia in May. Since losing to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022 while fighting for a light heavyweight title, he has won four straight fights, all by unanimous decision.

Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) was the undisputed champion in the 168-pound division before the belt was stripped by the IBF in July after he chose to face Berlanga instead of the organization's No. 1 mandatory challenger, William Scull.

Berlanga, number 5 in the super middleweight division, will fight for his first title.

Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) scored first-round knockouts in his first 16 professional fights, but since then he has scored just one KO in his last six fights, a sixth-round TKO against Padraig McCory in February.

Both are proud to represent their countries in this fight as it will be Mexico (Canelo) against Puerto Rico (Berlanga).

“It's going to be a great fight for the fans. I know he's going to give it his all and so will I. This is the kind of fight I really enjoy. I can't wait,” Alvarez said in media reports.

“Canelo will definitely bring out the best in me. Every time I compete, I improve my skills. This fight is all about intelligence. I have to make sure I'm his equal. It's will against will. We're not running away. We're going to stay and do what we do,” Berlanga said at a press conference.

“This is a special week. Mexican Independence weekend and of course another defense of the undisputed championship title of the great Canelo Alvarez. I'm looking forward to this fight,” Eddie Hearn said in media reports.

With both boxers aiming for a technical knockout, everything will depend on who can land the punch.

Puerto Rico versus Mexico. Berlanga versus Canelo, a Puerto Rican superstar and a Mexican superstar. It's going to be a big night.