Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga: Fight Results, Highlights, and Analysis

On a memorable night in Las Vegas, Canelo Alvarez once again solidified his dominance in the super middleweight division, delivering a systematic performance against Edgar Berlanga. The fight, held at T-Mobile Arena, was a continuation of the historic Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry, with Alvarez walking away victorious by unanimous decision and retaining his WBC, WBO, and WBA titles. Despite the pre-fight tension, the bout ended with mutual respect, highlighting the sportsmanship that often follows heated rivalries.

Alvarez's Dominance from Start to Finish

From the opening bell, it was clear that Canelo Alvarez, the more experienced fighter, was in control. Berlanga, who entered the ring with an impressive record of 22-1, 17 KOs, quickly found himself on the defensive. Alvarez, now boasting a record of 62-2-2, 39 KOs, dominated the fight, outlanding Berlanga 201 to 119, according to CompuBox stats.

A crucial moment came in Round 3 when Alvarez landed a brutal left hook, knocking Berlanga down for the first time in the fight. This was a testament to Alvarez's power and precision, as he landed 43% of his overall punches and an impressive 49% of his power shots. Despite Berlanga's resilience and ability to stay on his feet after the knockdown, Alvarez continued to control the fight, systematically breaking down his younger opponent.

Canelo's Experience and Skill on Full Display

Alvarez’s dominance wasn’t just about landing more punches; it was about controlling the pace and the ring. His experience showed as he backed Berlanga into the ropes repeatedly, cutting off the ring and limiting Berlanga’s ability to counter. The Mexican superstar's ability to read Berlanga's movements and respond with precise, calculated strikes was the key to his victory.

The crowd, a sellout of over 20,000 fans, cheered Alvarez on throughout the fight, celebrating his ability to represent Mexico on such an important weekend—Mexican Independence Day. "I feel great and ready. It’s an honor to represent my country," Alvarez said after the fight, reflecting on his experience and preparation.

Berlanga's Toughness Earns Respect

While Alvarez's dominance was clear, Berlanga earned the respect of both the fans and Alvarez himself by showcasing his toughness and poise throughout the 12 rounds. Despite being outgunned, Berlanga never backed down and continued to push forward, absorbing heavy punishment from Alvarez while still trying to find opportunities to land his own punches.

"He said he respects me and that I’m his idol," Alvarez shared post-fight, highlighting the mutual respect between the two fighters. For Berlanga, facing Alvarez was not just another fight—it was a chance to share the ring with someone he had admired since childhood. "He was my idol since I was a kid. I always looked up to him," Berlanga said.

The Significance of the Knockdown in Round 3

The knockdown in Round 3 was a defining moment in the fight. Alvarez, with Berlanga's back to the ropes, unleashed a devastating left hook that sent Berlanga to the canvas. This was the first time in the fight that Berlanga was visibly hurt, and it set the tone for the remainder of the match. However, to Berlanga's credit, he quickly recovered and fought on, proving that he could take Alvarez's best punch and keep going.

Alvarez's Future: What's Next?

As the fight concluded, all eyes were on Alvarez to see who he would call out next. With pound-for-pound contenders like David Benavidez and Terence Crawford waiting in the wings, many expected Alvarez to set his sights on a marquee matchup. However, Alvarez remained non-committal, stating, "I am going to rest and enjoy my family right now." The presence of Crawford at ringside only added to the speculation, but for now, Alvarez seems content to take a break before deciding his next move.

Other Results on the Fight Card

The Alvarez-Berlanga fight wasn’t the only highlight of the night. The undercard featured several exciting matchups:

Erislandy Lara retained his WBA middleweight title against Danny Garcia via a ninth-round TKO. It was a career-defining moment for Lara, who knocked Garcia down for the first time in his career.
Caleb Plant secured a ninth-round knockout against Trevor McCumby, earning the interim WBA super middleweight title.
Rolando Romero defeated Manuel Jaimes via unanimous decision, scoring 99-91 on all three judges' scorecards.
Stephen Fulton survived an early knockdown but came back to take a split decision over Carlos Castro in his featherweight debut.

Here is a simple scoreboard table for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga fight: