Canelo Álvarez is still the king at super middleweight after going the distance with Edgar Berlanga. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Canelo Álvarez spent his Saturday doing what he usually does around this time of year amid Mexican Independence Day weekends: taking care of business. In this case, it was a win over undefeated challenger Edgar Berlanga.
The unified super middleweight champion outclassed the undefeated challenger in a unanimous decision (117-110, 118-109, 118-109), his fifth straight title defense to go the distance.
Unlike other bouts where he needed time to build momentum, the heavily favored Álvarez had an advantage from the first bell. He calmly took the first first two rounds before flattening Berlanga with a left hook in the third. More punishment came from there, but Berlanga managed to survive.
Álvarez got better as the fight went on, but Berlanga's trash talk remained high throughout. Berlanga had further missteps, including a warning for an intentional headbutt and a fall after swinging and missing on a power punch. He spent much of the pre-fight proceedings trying to annoy Álvarez and that continued during the bout, with Álvarez sometimes jawing back.
But in the end, Berlanga landed more words than punches. The pair at least shared a nice embrace after the final bell, with both likely knowing exactly the decision that was coming.
It was still a decent showing for Berlanga despite the loss. He built his reputation on a string of first-round knockouts, but was a massive underdog going into Saturday. Álvarez still looked a class above him, but the 27-year-old looked like he belonged by the end, and that can be a win in itself as he looks for his next opponent.
As for Álvarez, he hasn't won via finish since stopping Caleb Plant, who won earlier Saturday, in November 2021. It might not be a great sign for how the 34-year-old is aging.
The bigger question now, though, is where Álvarez goes from here. Rising star David Benavidez might be the simplest answer, but Álvarez might still want a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, the only fighter to defeat him since Floyd Mayweather in 2013. And who knows? Maybe a super-fight against super welterweight king Terence Crawford could be out there.
Here's how it all went down via Yahoo Sports:
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RESULT: Canelo Alvarez def. Edgar Berlanga via unanimous decision
Canelo couldn't get the finish after the early knockdown. Berlanga showed incredible toughness and his granite chin. The two hug it out after the final bell.
Scenes at the end of the round as Canelo casually walks back to his corner before the bell. Berlanga catches up to him and lands a big shot that Canelo shakes off as the bell rings.
Action slows. Berlanga came in with his head and Canelo countered him with a big right to make him pay. The ref stopped the action to warn Berlanga, who had no answer for the illegal shot or anything Canelo hit him with.
Big knockdown for Canelo from a huge left hook. Berlanga somehow survives the round, but Canelo smells blood
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Berlanga back up with over a minute to go in the 3rd. The end is near!
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Down goes Berlanga!
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Round 2 ends
Canelo continues to work the body. Berlanga starting to drop his guard, which could spell danger soon.
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Round 1 ends
A clear Canelo round with Berlanga firing off his jab, but failing to land clean. Canelo masterfully closed the distance and caught Berlanga with some big body shots.
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The "MEX-I-CO" chants inside T-Mobile Arena are loud as Canelo clocks in for the night (and clocks Berlanga with an impactful body shot).
Lara mentally beat down Garcia tonight. When the hunger to fight is not there anymore and the willingness to TRY to find a way to win is gone it might be time to hang them up! #boxing
Danny Garcia with one of the most pathetic performances of all time - absolute quit job. Pin me, pay me, just give me my check so I can go home #BOXING
Lara drops Garcia in final seconds of 9th, he gets up, round ends, father/trainer Angel stops it in corner. Ends all of our misery. Lara retains title. #boxing#LaraGarcia#CaneloBerlanga
Good for Mauro Ranallo for calling out HORRIBLE 1st 5 rounds of #LaraGarcia co-feature. There's no defending two guys who won't punch/fight: #CaneloBerlanga
Lara, at 41 years old, is holding his own against Garcia. After three rounds, Lara is landing the bigger shots and has avoided anything significant from Garcia.
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Next up: Erislandy Lara (-275) vs. Danny Garcia (+230)
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RESULT: Caleb Plant def. Trevor McCumby by TKO at 2:59 of Round 9
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