Home Sports Edgar Berlanga exudes incredible confidence in Canelo Alvarez fight: ‘We’re going to make them believe’
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Edgar Berlanga exudes incredible confidence in Canelo Alvarez fight: ‘We’re going to make them believe’


LAS VEGAS — In contrast to their kickoff event in August, when a shirtless Edgar Berlanga — sporting a giant chip on his shoulder that competed for attention only with the shiny chains adorning his neckline — as he looked at Canelo Alvarez for their first faceoff, Wednesday’s final news The conference took on a much more business-like tone.

To his many critics on social media and within boxing’s media core, Berlanger’s nickname “The Chosen One” couldn’t be more fitting as the 27-year-old from Brooklyn, New York headlines Saturday’s PBC on Prime Video Pay Only. pay-per-view card inside T-Mobile Arena as Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs), the Unified super middleweight king and pound-for-pound great, called his number to join him for this Mexican Independence Day weekend showdown.

The selection was certainly a controversial one as the 34-year-old Alvarez, under pressure in the court of public opinion to avoid a fight against division heavyweight David Benavidez and similarly dismiss a coveted superfight with Terence Crawford, stubbornly chose instead to declare. Nothing left to prove and can fight anyone he likes.

It’s not like Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), who has power in both hands and will have a 5.5-inch height advantage over Alvarez, is incapable of pulling off an upset. This is the same fighter who once had an incredible career-opening streak of first-round knockouts in his first 16 fights, which brought with it crossover attention, including a high-profile friendship with rapper Fat Joe.

But, if we’re fair, Berlanga was seen by critics as a safe alternative as a flashy but unproven dance partner for Alvarez who came from central casting as the perfect sacrificial lamb and dance partner for the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry. It is (appropriately) romanticized by boxing fans.

Still, as of just a month ago, Fight Week brought a much more mature version of Berlanga who kept a noticeably relaxed tone to his voice.

“There are a lot of doubters and people who don’t believe me but on Saturday night, we’re going to make them believe,” Berlanga said. “It’s already been written. I’m not supposed to be here. Everyone who’s against me is in front of me. It’s bound to happen and it’s public opinion because I fought to get here. Say I’m going to get knocked out or I’m not going to go to the 12th round but it’s God’s plan to happen.”

While the idea of ​​Berlanga finally advancing to a fight as big as this one entering this weekend was seemingly always in the cards, its timing has fueled much chatter from his critics. The start of the decade hasn’t been the best for Berlanga’s reputation as a boxer, not quite the kind of victory Berlanga frankly needs to earn a spot against an all-time great and PPV juggernaut like Alvarez.

It’s fair to question whether Berlanga’s famed knockout streak actually stunted his growth as a prospect. When the streak was snapped in 2021 when Berlanga outlasted Daymond Nicholson over the distance of eight rounds, it began a new streak of five straight bouts that ended in a decision as Berlanga often struggled to find his new identity as a boxer-puncher. Once his increased level of opposition proved able to avoid such an early departure.

Berlanga was also dropped and apparently hurt in a close decision win in 2021 by Marcelo Coceres that seemed to spur his mutual 2023 split with Top Rank, a promotion known for its impeccable track record of producing prospects that ultimately continued with him. Chose against going. Undefeated Punch.

To Berlanga’s credit, he quickly recovered by signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport. He also ditched big-name trainer Andre Rozier in favor of reuniting with original coach Mark Farrett and rebounded in a big way to open 2024 by scoring his first stoppage in four years when knocking out unbeaten Padraig McCrory in February.

Still, that hasn’t stopped oddsmakers from installing him as a 10-to-1 underdog.

“I came from New York and was down under. It’s not easy. It’s a concrete jungle,” Berlanga said. “I’ve been in a position where I could have 1,000-to-1 (odds) and I’m cool with that. I’ve got more fire in my veins to go out there and prove it. It’s the top of the mountain. It’s not going to be big, it’s just going to be in the history books. .

While it remains to be seen how competitive Berlanga can be against Alvarez, who has nearly twice as many knockouts in his 19-year career as his younger foe has in total fights, Berlanga has largely said the right things in recent months. He never held back in terms of his words or body language in Alvarez’s presence to start promoting the fight, and was both calm and confident Wednesday to make it seem as if Berlanga might be holding a secret about Saturday that only he knows.

“Don’t ignore him, man,” Farright said. “The media can say what they want and do what they want (but) the Bible says that the Lord is going to prepare you at a table before your enemies. The world is against Edgar, he is sitting here. And are you his enemy and are you the glory. Going to see?

Farright went on to promote that his fighter simply didn’t stand a chance with a puncher due to his size as many critics suggested, and that instead, Berlanga would display the kind of patience, poise and pure boxing ability that would dazzle the world. Yet, in the same breath, it almost seemed as if Farite was trying enough mental tricks to lure Alvarez into the kind of toe-to-toe battle that critics believe is Berlanger’s only hope of victory.

“Canelo is smart; Canelo is not going to come out and fight him right away,” Farright said. “It’s impossible because, if he does, it’s going to be a fireshoot very quickly. Believe me, we’re grateful to Team Canelo for giving us this opportunity because it’s an opportunity to dethrone the king. Every king’s reign comes to an end.”

Berlanga believes this big win could propel him to become the next face of Puerto Rican boxing, as the successor to a dynasty that has included the likes of Miguel Cotto, Felix Trinidad and Wilfredo Gomez. Yet, through all of Berlanga’s tough talk and perceived visions of grandeur, Alvarez is chilled almost to the point of disinterest.

Alvarez believes Saturday is another chapter on his path to boxing immortality, no different than a challenge to fellow undefeated Jaime Munguia in May or any other challenge in his legendary 66-bout career.

“I never underestimate a fighter,” Alvarez said. “I know (Berlanga) is young, he’s a good fighter and he’s strong. But I’ve been there with everybody. I’ve got a lot of experience. I’m strong and I’ve got a lot of talent. And I’m just the best.”

If the old Ric Flair adage from pro wrestling is true that to be the best you have to beat the best, Berlanga certainly has his work cut out for him. The good news is that he knows it, and still believes it is his destiny to do it now, regardless of whether his critics agree with the times.

“I’m not supposed to be here. I was doubting it even before I turned pro,” Berlanga said. “But I knew I was bound to end up in this position.”

Who won Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga and how exactly did the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from unrivaled experts Find out who was up over $4,000 for $100 bettors in the last 65 picks.

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