Promoter Eddie Hearn recently disclosed that he has identified only two fighters within Matchroom Boxing who might be potential options for Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez for his next fight in September. These two fighters are Edgar Berlanga and Dmitry Bivol. Hearn believes that if Canelo does not end up facing the likes of David Benavidez or Terence Crawford in his next fight, then Berlanga, who is the WBA super middleweight mandatory challenger, could be a suitable opponent. Berlanga, signed by Hearn last year, has been in the ring with two UK fighters of fringe-level caliber, Jason Quigley, and Padraig McCrory. There have been speculations suggesting that Hearn might not have wanted to take any risks with Berlanga following a challenging victory against Quigley, a fighter who was previously dealt with swiftly by Demetrius Andrade during his time under Matchroom’s promotion.
Eddie Hearn emphasized, “The only two fighters I have in the mix right now under contract are Edgar Berlanga, who is the mandatory with the WBA, and Dmitry Bivol, who has a victory over Canelo.” Hearn also mentioned that Dmitry Bivol is currently unavailable for a potential fight due to his pending undisputed light heavyweight clash against Artur Beterbiev expected to take place by late 2024 or early 2025. Even if Bivol were free at the moment, Canelo would be unlikely to agree to a rematch with him after suffering a defeat in their previous encounter in 2022. Hearn seemed to prioritize the significance of DAZN continuing to broadcast Canelo Alvarez’s fights successfully, citing an example of the Munguia fight that garnered positive responses when aired on DAZN and Amazon platforms.
Reflecting on Canelo Alvarez’s accomplishments and status in the sport, Hearn expressed, “He’s achieved everything. He’s got the belts. He’s got the legacy. There’s nothing else to do but be in fights that motivate him and make him money.” Hearn defended Canelo against critics for supposedly demanding a hefty $200 million purse for a potential bout against David Benavidez, acknowledging the strategic move to aim high and push boundaries in negotiations. Hearn conveyed a sense of faith in Canelo’s willingness to face formidable opponents, illustrating Canelo’s fearlessness when it comes to taking on challenging adversaries who promise both motivation and financial rewards.
Eddie Hearn addressed the possibility of Edgar Berlanga stepping into the ring with Canelo Alvarez, considering that Berlanga currently holds the position of mandatory challenger for the super middleweight title. Hearn hinted at the exciting dynamics of a potential showdown between Berlanga and Canelo, highlighting Berlanga’s strong boxing background and willingness to engage in verbal exchanges, which could add an entertaining element to the fight build-up. While acknowledging that there are more prominent names like Benavidez and Crawford in the mix, Hearn emphasized the importance of fulfilling mandatory obligations if more lucrative matchups fail to materialize. However, Berlanga’s competition history, particularly with Top Rank, raised questions about the quality of his opponents and the promotional strategy employed to boost his profile as a potential star in the sport.