David Morrell has expressed his disapproval of Canelo Alvarez’s decision to choose Edgar Berlanga as his next opponent for the title defense of his three super middleweight belts. Despite Berlanga’s undefeated 22-0 record, Morrell believes that Canelo intentionally picked a weak opponent with no top-tier experience. Morrell himself suggested that Canelo should have fought him or David Benavidez when they were competing at 168 pounds. Morrell has criticized Canelo’s selective approach towards opponents over the past four years, where he has only faced high-level opposition sparingly.
Morrell is scheduled to fight Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic this Saturday for the vacant WBA World light heavyweight title. He aims to secure the WBA belt and hopes to line up fights against Benavidez and the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol bout in October. Morrell voiced his dissatisfaction with Canelo’s choice of Berlanga as an easy opponent, highlighting the disparity in competition compared to facing Benavidez previously.
Morrell has evaluated Canelo’s recent opponent history, questioning the level of competition faced by the Mexican superstar. From Jaime Munguia to Billy Joe Saunders, Morrell has scrutinized Canelo’s opponents, casting doubt on the caliber of fighters encountered. Morrell believes that Canelo’s decision to face Berlanga is a strategic move to avoid more challenging opponents in the super middleweight division.
In anticipation of his bout against Kalajdzic, Morrell exudes confidence in his abilities at 175 pounds. While acknowledging that no fight is easy, Morrell remains focused on securing a knockout victory on Saturday night. He emphasizes his readiness to compete at 175 pounds, hinting at a possible return to 168 for significant opportunities in the future.
Morrell recognizes the importance of a knockout victory to captivate the attention of fans and establish his presence in the boxing world. With the spotlight on him during a card filled with top-tier fighters, Morrell views this as a prime opportunity to showcase his skills and secure a memorable win. He remains open to facing any opponent at 175 pounds, including his desire for a showdown with Benavidez in the future.