Edgar Berlanga faces a tough challenge against unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 14th. Retired former unified light heavyweight champion Anthony Tarver believes that Berlanga’s best chance of victory lies in emulating the in-and-out attacks displayed by Dmitry Bivol in his win over Canelo in 2022. While Berlanga possesses power, youth, and size advantages over Canelo, his lack of elite boxing skills could be a major obstacle in the fight. However, by adopting a similar strategy to Bivol, Berlanga might have a shot at pulling off an upset.
One major concern for Berlanga heading into the fight is his ability to absorb the hard shots that Canelo will undoubtedly deliver. Berlanga has shown vulnerability in past fights, getting hurt by opponents like Marcelo Conceres, Steve Rolls, Roamer Alexis Angulo, and Jason Quigley. While he displayed improvement in his last fight against Padraig McCrory, doubts remain about his ability to withstand Canelo’s power punches. Berlanga’s chin will be put to the test, and his durability will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the fight.
While Canelo is undoubtedly a formidable opponent, there are potential weaknesses that Berlanga can exploit. Tarver points to Canelo’s tendency to slow down in fights, as evidenced in his recent bout against Jaime Munguia. If Berlanga can capitalize on Canelo’s fatigue and launch an aggressive offensive early in the fight, he might be able to unsettle the champion. However, Tarver remains skeptical about Berlanga’s chances, emphasizing the difficulty of overcoming a fighter of Canelo’s caliber.
Berlanga’s best hope for victory lies in delivering an explosive start to the fight. Known for his early knockout streak at the beginning of his career, Berlanga thrives when he puts pressure on his opponents from the opening bell. By reverting to his aggressive fighting style and avoiding tentative boxing, Berlanga can maximize his chances of success against Canelo. A strong start could set the tone for the entire fight and potentially rattle Canelo’s composure.
Edgar Berlanga faces an uphill battle against Canelo Alvarez, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. While Berlanga possesses certain advantages, such as power and youth, he will need to execute a near-flawless game plan to overcome Canelo’s experience and skill. By studying successful strategies from past opponents like Dmitry Bivol and exploiting Canelo’s potential weaknesses, Berlanga can increase his chances of causing an upset. However, the margin for error is slim, and Berlanga will need to showcase his best performance to have a shot at dethroning the reigning champion.