WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has introduced a new special commemorative belt called the ‘Tamaulipas II’ belt that will be presented to the winner of the September 14th bout between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga. The addition of yet another belt to the already saturated boxing market is questionable. Fans are likely to see this move as a publicity stunt by the WBC, adding to the confusion surrounding the numerous titles in different divisions. The proliferation of belts waters down the sport, and it would be more beneficial for boxing if one organization controlled the titles. While Canelo is a unified super middleweight champion, adding another belt, even as a commemorative piece, does little to enhance his legacy.
Questionable Matchmaking and High Cost
The choice of Edgar Berlanga as Canelo’s opponent for the September 14th fight has raised eyebrows in the boxing community. Many feel that Canelo could have selected a more challenging opponent and waited for Berlanga to prove himself against stronger competition. The high pay-per-view price of $90 for the event on DAZN has also attracted criticism, especially considering the perceived mismatch between the fighters. Berlanga, with a record of 22-0, has faced relatively low-level opponents throughout his career and is now receiving a title shot without having fought any significant names in the boxing world.
Furthermore, the undercard for the Canelo vs. Berlanga fight seems to cater more to older boxing fans, featuring fighters like Danny Garcia and Erislandy Lara who were prominent figures in the sport a decade ago. This leaves little to justify the steep cost of the pay-per-view event, especially when compared to other upcoming events offering lower prices for attendance.
The decisions leading up to the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga fight have been met with skepticism and criticism from the boxing community. From the introduction of an unnecessary commemorative belt to the questionable matchmaking and high price of the event, there are valid concerns about the direction of the sport. It remains to be seen how these factors will impact the fight and the perception of those involved in the boxing industry.