By Miguel Rapetti
Sep 12, 2024, 00:38 AM EDT
Boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez has everything ready for his fight against Édgar Berlanga and this Wednesday he wanted to reaffirm his commitment to beat the Puerto Rican after declaring that although his rival is younger and stronger, he is much better.
In recent statements regarding his fight, Canelo Alvarez gave a preview of what can be seen on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the Mexican hoping to knock out Berlanga using his talent and experience.
“I don’t underestimate my rivals. I know that Berlanga is young and strong, but I am stronger, I have great talent and I am the best,” said the 34-year-old boxer.
Canelo Alvarez will defend his World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization super middleweight titles in the duel, except for the one he lost a couple of months ago when his International Boxing Federation title was stripped from him for failing to meet the mandatory mandate of facing Cuban William Scull.
With 61 wins, 39 by knockout, 2 losses and 2 draws, Alvarez will meet Berlanga, who is undefeated in 22 fights (17 won early). The fight has been promoted as a war between Mexico and Puerto Rico, a historic rivalry in boxing.
“I always take fights seriously. I train 100 percent, no matter who I face. I always have the same mentality, and this is no exception. I have had a good training camp and I am ready to win,” Alvarez said on Wednesday.
Berlanga denied that he is affected by the fact that a section of the press and fans see him as a rival who does not represent a threat to Álvarez.
He said, however, that on Saturday he will become the first boxer in history to knock out Canelo.
“I am a knockout artist. Canelo is a legend, he is intelligent, but I will make the perfect fight to knock him out in six rounds, although I am also ready for any other scenario, such as a twelve-round fight.”
The Puerto Rican, who last stepped into the ring last February, when he knocked out Irishman Padraig McCrory, admitted that the fight with Alvarez is the opportunity of a lifetime to enter the elite of world boxing.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will be an unforgettable fight on Saturday, a rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico. We are two superstars in our country,” Berlanga said.
Continue reading:
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- Canelo Alvarez says the fight against Berlanga “became personal”