Arum says Berlanga vs. Canelo is likely if Berlanga continues to rise
Bob Arum says Edgar Berlanga could be a future opponent for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez amidst Caleb Plant talks falling through
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Within the past few years, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) has become the face of boxing. He has faced off against some of the most celebrated names in boxing, with his only loss coming from the undefeated Floyd Mayweather. Within the past three years, the Mexican fighter has embarked on a quest to take over the super middleweight (168lbs) division.
Most recently, Canelo has faced off against Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs), whom he dispatched with a devastating uppercut in the eighth round, which caused the British boxer to fail to rise from his corner.
Canelo’s final obstacle in the super middleweight division is American Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs), the undefeated IBF champion. Plant and Canelo have been in talks on and off since May; so far, they have been inconclusive. In light of these negotiations, Top Rank’s Bob Arum has been talking about other possible fighters for Canelo in the future.
One such fighter is the up-and-coming phenom Edgar Berlanga (17-0, 16 KOs), who has defeated all but one of his opponents with a first-round knockout. His only fight that did not come to an end in the first round was his most recent fight against Desmond Nicholson. The fight went the distance, with Nicholson surviving the length of the 8-round bout despite being knocked down four times over the course of the fight.
“We hope, within the next two years, he progresses enough that we can put him in with Canelo,” Arum told Sky Sports.
“A Puerto Rican against a Mexican in the United States is a dynamite fight,” said Arum. “Based on his ability? It depends on him and how he progresses. I think he has the goods. We are giving him every opportunity.”
Despite what Arum says, it is hard to say that Berlanga will fight Canelo any time soon. Berlanga is still a small, unproven fish in a large pond. Berlanga lacks the popularity and mass appeal of Canelo, and he has not faced many big names in the division.
There are many hurdles that both boxers have to face before a possible showdown was to occur, however. Until Berlanga is able to rise to Canelo’s level in the division, the Mexican boxer will undoubtedly focus on fighters that allow him to achieve his super middleweight goal rather than facing a low-ranked boxer.
The question remains, who will Canelo face next? Will he and Plant come to terms with a unification bout? This, like most of the upcoming events in the sport, remains tentative and up in the air.