'Canelo' Alvarez pummels Berlanga to retain super middleweight belts

Mexican boxing icon Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (34) successfully defended his unified super middleweight world title with a decisive unanimous decision victory over Edgar Berlanga on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Alvarez delivered a knockdown to the previously undefeated Berlanga in the third round and maintained a relentless pace throughout the full 12 rounds.

In the final moments of the ninth round, Alvarez landed a powerful right hand that visibly shook Berlanga, prompting his cornerman to inquire, "Are you awake?" as Berlanga sat on his stool before the tenth round.

Despite receiving a warning for an intentional headbutt, Berlanga remained resolute, taunting Alvarez as they entered the twelfth round.

However, the Puerto Rican-American, who began his professional career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts, was unable to achieve the stoppage he had confidently anticipated.

The highly experienced Alvarez applied pressure from the outset, causing Berlanga to appear hesitant during the initial two rounds as he was repeatedly forced into the corner.

Berlanga attempted to respond in the third round after Alvarez connected with a right to the head, but a punishing left hook from Alvarez sent him to the canvas. Berlanga quickly rose, banging his gloves together as he stood up.

Throughout the fight, Berlanga struggled to counter Alvarez's relentless body shots, which he delivered round after round.

"I performed well," stated Alvarez, who received scores of 118-109 from two judges and 117-110 from the third.

"Now what will they say? I fight younger opponents. Previously, they claimed I fought older fighters. What will they say now? They always have something to say.

"I am the best fighter in the world," Alvarez asserted, improving his record to 62-2-2 (39 KOs) while retaining his World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, and World Boxing Organization titles.

Alvarez had been stripped of his International Boxing Federation title in July after choosing to face Berlanga instead of the IBF mandatory challenger, William Scull.

Alvarez achieved his fifth consecutive victory by points, with his most recent win by knockout occurring in November 2021, when he defeated Caleb Plant in the 11th round.

This match marked the fourth successive occasion in which Alvarez recorded a knockdown. The four-division champion, who has faced criticism for avoiding the emerging talent David Benavidez, indicated that he would take some time to reflect on his future plans.

"I will spend time with my family now and then make a decision," he stated. In the undercard, Erislandy Lara successfully defended his WBA middleweight world title, securing a ninth-round stoppage against Danny Garcia.

The bout's slow tempo elicited disapproval from the audience; however, the 41-year-old Cuban southpaw landed a straight left that caused Garcia to fall to a knee late in the ninth round. Following the round, Garcia's father and coach, Angel, requested the fight be stopped.

"I took him to school," Lara remarked, enhancing his record to 31 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws, with 19 knockouts. Garcia, competing for the first time since July 2022, now holds a record of 37 wins and 4 losses, with 21 victories by knockout.

SportsLigue