Canelo to Defend Titles Against Berlanga in Vegas

Canelo Álvarez will defend his WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, coinciding with Mexican Independence Day weekend. Álvarez, who was stripped of his IBF title for not defending it against mandatory challenger William Scull, has faced criticism for choosing Berlanga over other contenders like David Benavidez. Berlanga, who boasts a 22-0 record with 17 knockouts, is seen as an underdog, with many questioning his qualifications for a title shot. The event will also feature a co-main bout between WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara and former champion Danny Garcia. The fight will compete with UFC 306, scheduled the same night at Sphere in Las Vegas. Despite the controversies, both fighters and promoters are hyping the match as a significant Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry bout.