The boxing world is abuzz as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez prepares to defend his super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This fight is being billed as a revival of the historic Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry, with both fighters making bold predictions.Canelo, entering his 18th grand arrival in Las Vegas, exudes confidence based on his vast experience. ‘He’s a good fighter. He’s strong, he’s young. But he’s nothing new for me,’ Alvarez stated, predicting a knockout victory before the eighth round. His sparring partner, Yoenlis Hernández Feliciano, even suggested the fight might end before the fifth round.Berlanga, however, is not intimidated. The undefeated 27-year-old with a 22-0 record and 17 knockouts has boldly predicted a sixth-round knockout. ‘We’re going to knock him out in the sixth. If he says it’s going to be in the eighth, I’m going to say it’s going to be in the sixth,’ Berlanga declared. This confidence comes despite Canelo being a heavy 1/20 favorite according to bookmakers.Meanwhile, the MMA world is gearing up for UFC 306, scheduled for the same weekend. UFC lightweight champion Sean O’Malley has confidently predicted that their event will outperform Canelo’s fight in pay-per-view sales. ‘We’re going to destroy Canelo,’ O’Malley stated, highlighting the competitive nature between boxing and MMA.In other combat sports news, Robert Whittaker is preparing for his UFC 308 fight against Khamzat Chimaev by training with cruiserweight boxing champion Jai Opetaia. Additionally, there’s speculation about potential future matchups, with Canelo even entertaining the idea of a bout with MMA star Conor McGregor, calling it ‘easy money’.
Key points
- Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga are set to fight on September 14 in Las Vegas, reviving the Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry.
- Both fighters have made bold knockout predictions, with Berlanga calling for a sixth-round finish and Canelo expecting to end it before the eighth.
- UFC 306 is scheduled for the same weekend, with Sean O’Malley predicting it will outperform Canelo’s fight in pay-per-view sales.
Contradictionsđź‘ľWhile Canelo Alvarez predicts a knockout before the eighth round, Edgar Berlanga confidently claims he will knock out Canelo in the sixth round.
These contradictory predictions add to the pre-fight tension.
