Canelo Alvarez may reportedly skip the September 14 fight and fight later this year in Los Angeles.
Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) could be preparing for a fight with Terence Crawford in 2025.
WBA Mandatory Edgar Berlanga as Possible Opponent
Mike Coppinger reported tonight that Alvarez may focus on singing. He didn't say anything about who he would be playing with, but it is believed that Canelo's WBA partner Edgar Berlanga is the guy he could use to fill that role.
Ideally, Canelo needs an opponent with the same style as Crawford, who will move up in weight from 154 to 168. Berlanga is a light-framed, heavy-sized giant, and a very different type of opponent than Crawford.
Unless Canelo wants a soft touch like Berlanga, a better choice for him would be his IBF mandatory, William Scull. He is a fighter of Crawford's caliber and would prepare Crawford well if Canelo takes that fight in 2025.
Berlanga's Rise in Competitiveness
Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) scored a title shot against Canelo with a great fight against a team playing in the second division. His only top division opposition has been these fighters:
– Padraig McCrory
– Jason Quigley
– Traveler Alexis Angulo
– Steve Rolls
– Marcelo Esteban Coceres
If Canelo uses Berlanga as his player, he will be criticized because the New York player did not win the fight by fighting anyone he deserved.
Of course, you can say the same about David Benavidez, but at least he beat Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. Those guys are the best of all the opponents Berlanga has faced during his career.
The super middleweight division is so weak now that Berlanga is considered as a contender which is sad because he has not been beaten by anyone and he looks equal.
Benavidez's Unfulfilled Challenge
WBC champion David Benavidez has been looking for a fight against Canelo, but he recently moved up to 175 and won a title fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Canelo has said he won't be happy with a fight against Benavidez unless he pays $200 million, and he seems adamant about that demand.
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