BEVERLY HILLS, California – August 6: Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga hold press conference at … (+)
Canelo Alvarez is preparing for a fight with Edgar Berlanga on September 14 in Las Vegas. The latter is known for his trash talk. At the same time, Berlanga has not been sparing with his criticism of the Mexican icon.
However, Berlanga didn’t really get on Alvarez’s nerves. The future Hall-of-Famer named the former opponent who annoyed him the most, and it was Billy Joe Saunders. Premier Boxing Champions released the clip of an interview with Alvarez in which he explained the animosity between him and Saunders.
Here’s a look at the clip:
“That motherfucker pissed me off,” Alvarez said. “So he got what he deserved.”
Alvarez scored an eighth-round TKO victory over Saunders when Saunders was unable to reach the ninth round during their unification fight in May 2021. Alvarez entered the fight as the WBC super middleweight champion and captured Saunders’ WBO title with the win.
Alvarez captured the IBF crown six months later by defeating Caleb Plant. “Some fighters talk to sell the fight or themselves, but he’s a bad person in my opinion and I really enjoy beating him,” Alvarez said. The two men had a memorable and seemingly personal duel during the buildup to the fight.
Saunders tried to sell the fight and himself, but in Alvarez’s eyes, things went a little too far. Alvarez seemed to take great pleasure in tormenting Saunders for the eight rounds. Saunders was so badly beaten up and suffered a fractured eye socket that he hasn’t fought since.
Saunders has not officially retired, but it has been more than three years since his last fight and it appears he will not compete as a professional boxer again. Alvarez has fought six times since meeting Saunders, amassing a record of 5-1.
His only loss came in May 2022 by unanimous decision against Dmitry Bivol. The fight against Berlanga is the next chapter in the Mexican-Puerto Rican boxing rivalry.
Even though Alvarez is the clear favorite, the event is still expected to draw a large crowd due to Alvarez’s star status and the fight’s cultural connections.
Here’s a look at the full card for the September 14 event:
- (c) Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga – WBO and WBC Super Middleweight Championship
- Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
- Caleb Plant vs Trevor McCumby
- Stephen Fulton vs. Carlos Castro
- Rolando Romero vs. Manuel Jaimes
It’s going to be a big night in combat sports and in Las Vegas. The UFC and Riyadh Season present Noche UFC at the Sphere on the same night. It’s being billed as the most amazing live sporting event ever.
Who will prevail: Canelo or the UFC? We’ll find out next month.
