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Canelo Álvarez outclasses Edgar Berlanga to retain super middleweight belts in unanimous decision

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Canelo Álvarez outclasses Edgar Berlanga to retain super middleweight belts in unanimous decision

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 the time year amid Mexican Independence Day weekends: taking care of business. In this case, it was a win over undefeated challenger Edgar Berlanga.

The undisputed 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.

Berlanga got better as the fight went on, while his trash talk remained high throughout. He 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 still seen as 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:

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER71 updates

  • RESULT: Canelo Alvarez def. Edgar Berlanga via unanimous decision

  • Fight ends after 12 rounds

    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.

  • Round 10 ends

    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.

  • Round 8 ends

    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.

  • Round 6 ends

    Canelo slows down just a bit yet continues landing seemingly at will. Berlanga is looking to land a big right, but can’t get Canelo’s timing down

  • Round 5 ends

    Canelo is doing Canelo things, while Berlanga is struggling to do much of anything. Canelo up 5-0 with a knockdown.

  • Round 4 ends

    Berlanga showing off his toughness. He’s not going out without giving this Canelo all he’s got. It just isn’t enough.

  • Round 3 ends

    Big knockdown for Canelo from a huge left hook. Berlanga somehow survives the round, but Canelo smells blood

  • Undisputed super middleweight title: Canelo Álvarez def. Edgar Berlanga by unanimous decision (117-110, 118-109, 118-109)

  • WBA middleweight title: Erislandy Lara def. Danny Garcia by RTD at 3:00 of R9

  • Interim WBA super middleweight title: Caleb Plant def. Trevor McCumby by TKO at 2:59 of Round 9

  • Featherweight: Rolando Romero def. Manuel Jaimes by unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 99-91)

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