Canelo Alvarez is set to face Edgar Berlanga on September 14th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, PBC announced Thursday. However, that’s not the fight most people wanted! The long overdue WBC mandatory David Benavidez especially criticized the decision, as he has been advocating for a fight since long. So, Berlanga hopped on X today to share his thoughts about the naysayers.

Interestingly, Canelo was stripped of his IBF title not too long ago for failing to defend it against mandatory William Scull, meaning he is no longer undisputed. Nor will the IBF title be on the line when Berlanga and Canelo lock horns. Yet this wasn’t enough for Benavidez, who said, “It’s a trash-a** fight. Nobody wants to see that. But at the end of the day, Canelo doesn’t face the strongest opposition.” 

Edgar Berlanga wants people to watch the fight but doesn’t like their opinion

Following Benavidez’s statement during an interview with 2ToneDaSupastar, Berlanga hopped on X to write, “Canelo could fight whoever he wants. He’s a legend in the sport of boxing at this point. Just tune in for us #berlangacanelo f*** the haters and everybody that’s talking. Keep talking!!” It’s worth mentioning that Berlanga was Canelo’s WBA mandatory, and the fight was a better fit for marketing.

Whereas, William Scull probably wouldn’t have sold quite as well. Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez has refused to consider a fight against WBC mandatory and public favorite Benavidez until someone agrees to pay him $200 million for the fight. Regardless, this fight would be Berlanga’s first fight in the upper echelon of boxing, making Canelo a heavy favorite going into the clash later this year.

Puerto Rican descent—Berlanga is best known for his first 16 fight knockout wins, and is coming off a knockout win over Padraig McCrory in February last year, a first since 2020! Despite this, Berlanga’s promoter feels the 27-year-old is going to create history.

Eddie Hearn dreamed about a fight against Canelo Alvarez

Berlanga signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing back in February last year, so speaking about the fight getting confirmed, the English promoter said, “I’m so happy he got the golden pick for Sep. 14. This is the fight we dreamed about when we signed Edgar last year and he is ready to give everything for himself, his family and for Puerto Rico”.

Canelo, on the other hand, is coming off a one-sided affair against fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia in May earlier this year. Interestingly, Munguia wasn’t very different from Berlanga, who also has his zero intact before fighting Canelo in a big money making bout. It was Canelo’s fourth unanimous decision victory, and if Berlanga can’t bring his A-game during the Mexican independence day fight, he awaits a similar fate.

Despite facing criticism from the public and David Benavidez, Edgar Berlanga is determined to put his best foot forward in his quest to dethrone Canelo Alvarez this September. But is the undefeated boxer truly up to the challenge? Direct your opinions to the comment section below!