When Caleb Plant advised Edgar Berlanga to focus on Canelo Alvarez and not himself, he raised a valid point. Berlanga’s behavior at the Los Angeles press conference seemed distracted and unfocused, as he engaged in a verbal exchange with Plant instead of keeping his attention on his upcoming opponent. This lack of focus could be detrimental to Berlanga’s preparation for the fight on September 14th.
Questionable Ranking and Canelo’s Choice
It is also worth noting the questionable ranking that Berlanga received from the World Boxing Association. After a win over Padraig McCrory, Berlanga was suddenly placed in the #1 slot, despite lacking significant experience at the highest level of competition. This decision by the WBA, coupled with Canelo Alvarez’s choice to fight Berlanga, raises concerns about the legitimacy of Berlanga’s title shot. Plant’s criticism of Berlanga’s lack of readiness for the fight is justified in this context.
Berlanga’s Lack of “IQ”
Another aspect of Plant’s critique is Berlanga’s perceived lack of ring intelligence, or “IQ.” While Berlanga possesses good power, his susceptibility to being hit and his tendency to get frustrated when faced with adversity could prove to be significant weaknesses in the matchup against a skilled fighter like Canelo Alvarez. Plant’s assertion that Berlanga needs to bring more than just power to the table is a valid assessment of the young boxer’s abilities.
Caleb Plant’s advice to Edgar Berlanga serves as a wake-up call for the young fighter to refocus his efforts on preparing for the upcoming fight against Canelo Alvarez. By addressing Berlanga’s distracted behavior, questionable ranking, and perceived lack of ring intelligence, Plant highlights the areas in which Berlanga needs to improve in order to have a fighting chance against a formidable opponent like Canelo. It is now up to Berlanga to heed Plant’s advice and make the necessary adjustments in his training and mental approach leading up to the bout on September 14th.