On September 15, 2024, Canelo Alvarez successfully retained his unified super middleweight championship with a commanding performance against Edgar Berlanga. The fight took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and ended in a one-sided unanimous decision. Although Berlanga showed resilience, Alvarez’s experience and skill set were too much for the up-and-coming fighter, reaffirming Canelo’s dominance in the boxing world.
Canelo’s Masterclass Performance
Canelo Alvarez, one of boxing’s most recognizable figures, entered the fight as the clear favorite and showcased why he is considered one of the sport’s elite fighters. The scores from the three judges reflected the one-sided nature of the bout: 117-110, 118-109, and 118-109, all in favor of Alvarez. ESPN’s own scorecard gave Canelo a 120-107 shutout, indicating Berlanga never truly found his rhythm.
The pivotal moment came in Round 3, when Alvarez floored Berlanga with a vicious left hook, a signature punch of the Mexican superstar. The knockdown sent a clear message: Berlanga was not on the same level as the seasoned champion. Despite not securing a knockout, Alvarez controlled the fight with his impeccable technique and tactical brilliance.
Canelo’s Winning Streak Continues
With this victory, Alvarez extended his win streak to five consecutive decision victories, although his last knockout came against Caleb Plant in November 2021. It also marked the fourth consecutive bout where Alvarez knocked his opponent down, reinforcing his reputation as a devastating puncher, even though the elusive knockout remained out of reach.
“I fight younger fighters. They say I fight older fighters. They always talk,” Alvarez remarked after the fight, addressing criticism that he avoids younger competition. “My experience, my talent, my hard work, my intelligence, everything together [makes me the best].”
Edgar Berlanga’s Struggle on the Big Stage
For Berlanga, this fight was a massive step up in competition. At 27 years old, the Brooklyn native with Puerto Rican roots had an impressive record of 22-1 (17 KOs) heading into the fight. Berlanga earned his first title shot following a sixth-round knockout of Padraig McCrory earlier in February 2024. However, facing one of the greatest boxers of this era proved to be a daunting challenge.
Berlanga started his career with a remarkable streak of 16 first-round knockouts, but as the competition level rose, his power seemed to diminish. Against Alvarez, Berlanga appeared hesitant to engage fully, likely fearing Alvarez’s renowned counter-punching ability. CompuBox stats further emphasized the disparity in the contest: Alvarez landed 201 punches compared to Berlanga’s 119, and his accuracy was significantly higher at 43% to Berlanga’s 27%.
Despite the loss, Berlanga remained optimistic. “I fought a legend tonight. Hopefully, this is the start today of me becoming a future legend,” Berlanga said after the fight. While he demonstrated grit and toughness, particularly when he banged his gloves together after being knocked down, his strategy seemed focused on survival rather than victory.
Punch Statistics: The Numbers Behind the Fight
Alvarez dominated the fight not only visually but statistically. According to CompuBox punch stats, Alvarez threw 464 punches, landing 201, while Berlanga threw 446 and landed only 119. Alvarez’s superiority was particularly evident in the power punch department, where he landed 133 out of 271 thrown (an accuracy of 49%). Berlanga, on the other hand, landed just 65 power punches out of 186 attempts, with a lower accuracy of 35%.
Jab effectiveness also told part of the story. Alvarez connected on 68 jabs out of 193 thrown, whereas Berlanga managed 54 out of 260 jabs. This discrepancy in landing jabs underlined Canelo’s ability to outbox his opponent from both distance and close range, applying constant pressure and forcing Berlanga to remain on the defensive.
Berlanga’s Tactics: Surviving Rather Than Thriving
As the rounds progressed, it became evident that Berlanga was in survival mode. After getting knocked down in the third round, Berlanga became cautious, likely wary of giving Alvarez another opportunity to land his punishing shots. Instead of engaging in aggressive exchanges, Berlanga relied on his jab, staying on the outside and avoiding Alvarez’s power shots. His strategy appeared more focused on avoiding damage rather than taking risks to win.
Even with this cautious approach, Berlanga was able to rough up Alvarez at times, employing inside fighting tactics that occasionally frustrated the Mexican champion. Referee Harvey Dock repeatedly intervened to warn both fighters, as the physical nature of the bout escalated during clinches. Berlanga himself acknowledged the psychological aspect of his approach, saying, “Fighters like to throw each other off their games.”
While Berlanga’s game plan kept him from being knocked out, it also limited his offensive output and made it difficult for him to win rounds decisively. Ultimately, his reluctance to fully engage allowed Alvarez to dictate the pace and control the fight from start to finish.
What’s Next for Canelo Alvarez?
Canelo Alvarez remains the king of the super middleweight division, but the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next? Alvarez hinted at several possible future opponents, but nothing concrete has been decided. Two major potential fights loom on the horizon:
Dmitry Bivol Rematch
One of the most anticipated matchups for Alvarez would be a rematch with Dmitry Bivol, the man who handed Alvarez his second career defeat in May 2022. In that fight, Bivol, a natural light heavyweight, outboxed Alvarez, who was stepping up to 175 pounds. A rematch would provide Alvarez with an opportunity for redemption, but Bivol first has his own challenge, as he is set to face Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight championship on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Should Bivol emerge victorious, a rematch with Alvarez could become one of the biggest fights in the sport.
Terence Crawford Showdown
Another intriguing option is a potential fight with Terence Crawford, the current pound-for-pound king and undefeated welterweight champion. Crawford recently made his debut at 154 pounds and expressed interest in moving up to fight Alvarez at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds. Such a fight would pit two of the best fighters of their era against each other, and Crawford himself is confident it would determine “the No. 1 guy of this era in the post-Mayweather era.”
Crawford was ringside for Alvarez’s fight against Berlanga, adding fuel to the speculation that this mega-fight could become a reality.
Conclusion: Canelo Continues to Reign Supreme
Despite not securing a knockout, Canelo Alvarez once again showed why he is regarded as one of the top fighters in the world. His victory over Edgar Berlanga was yet another testament to his skill, intelligence, and experience inside the ring. While Berlanga may have fought valiantly, it was clear that Alvarez remains on a different level.
As the boxing world waits to see who Alvarez will face next, one thing is certain: Whether it’s Dmitry Bivol or Terence Crawford, Canelo’s next fight will be another significant moment in his storied career. For now, Alvarez can take pride in his dominant performance and his continued reign as the super middleweight champion of the world.
