Canelo Alvarez continued to solidify his legacy as one of boxing's elite by successfully defending his undisputed super middleweight championship against Edgar Berlanga on September 14, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Alvarez showcased his experience and mastery of the sport, decisively winning via unanimous decision, with scores of 118-109, 118-109, and 117-110 from the judges.
From the opening bell, Canelo established control over the fight, leveraging his tactical intelligence and well-honed skills. The sold-out crowd of over 20,000 fans erupted as chants of "Mexico! Mexico!" and "CA-NEL-O! CA-NEL-O!" filled the arena, only adding to the electric atmosphere of the night. Alvarez, now 61-2-2, extended his title defense streak to eight, reinforcing his status as the leading figure of the division.
Berlanga, originally from Brooklyn, New York, now fell to 22-1-0 with this loss. Despite having entered the ring undefeated, he struggled to match Alvarez's precision. While Berlanga attempted to mimic Alvarez's output, he landed only 26.7% of his punches, compared to Alvarez's impressive 43.3%. The champion also impressed with his power, landing nearly half of his power shots at 49.1%.
"I did good. Now what are they going to say? They said I don’t fight young fighters," said Alvarez after the bout. His confidence shone through, stating, "They always talk, but I’m the best fighter in the world."
One notable moment during the fight included a well-placed left hook from Alvarez, which sent Berlanga to the canvas during the third round, signaling potential trouble for the challenger. Throughout the match, Alvarez demonstrated impeccable timing and strategy, landing crisp uppercuts and hooks at key moments. Yet, Berlanga, fueled by determination and ambition, refused to back down, pushing through the adversity.
After years of grinding and development, Berlanga had referred to Alvarez as "my idol" before the match. This fight marked his first title challenge, adding to the pressure as it was also his debut on pay-per-view.
"I got a little angry with his tactics, but I’m Mexican, man. It means a lot to fight on this day,” Alvarez remarked, highlighting the cultural significance of the fight on Mexican Independence Day.
Despite Alvarez not finishing the fight with a knockout—his first since 2021—his performance was undeniably dominant. He hadn’t managed to stop his opponent since defeating Caleb Plant nearly three years ago. This fight put Alvarez's decision to face Berlanga, rather than fulfill his IBF obligation to fight William Scull, under scrutiny. The IBF had stripped him of his title for this choice, yet Alvarez's willingness to engage with Berlanga provided fans with a captivating matchup.
Alongside the Alvarez-Berlanga headliner, the card featured notable bouts. Erislandy Lara defended his WBA middleweight title with a ninth-round TKO victory against Danny Garcia, thanks to a well-timed left jab. Lara, now at 41 years old, proudly continued his reign as boxing’s oldest active champion, affirming the viciousness of his shots against Garcia.
Meanwhile, Caleb Plant fought back against Trevor McCumby, overcoming adversity to score a ninth-round TKO victory. Plant was knocked down earlier but recovered, displaying grit and determination to regain control and conclude the fight emphatically.
The night tasted even sweeter for Alvarez and his fans, as the event coincided with the debut of UFC at the Sphere, which also featured several Mexican athletes. This alignment drew even more attention to the vibrancy of combat sports and the Mexican heritage cherished by fans.
Looking forward, fans are eagerly awaiting Alvarez's next move. Could he face Terence Crawford or David Benavidez, as suggested? While questions about his future lingered, the champion remained unbothered, focused on his immediate past success. With Berlanga's loss now behind him, it's time for both fighters to regroup and plan their next steps. But Canelo Alvarez has undoubtedly proven once again why he sits at the top of the boxing world, standing unyielding as the champion with multiple titles to his name.
Alvarez may not have finished Berlanga with the knockout fans hope for, but his masterful performance and unwavering skill ensured there was no questioning who reigned supreme on this pivotal night for the sport. With each fight, he adds to his legacy, one victory at a time.
