By: Sean Crose
“It’s straightforward to say you’ll knock me out,” Canelo Alvarez advised Edgar Berlanga at a Tuesday press convention on Wednesday, “but it surely’s far more troublesome to do it. Saturday night time is gonna be very troublesome for him, for certain. I’ve ready for the knockout. I really like the sensation of a knockout and I’m gonna do my greatest to get it performed.” Canelo has taken criticism for going through Berlanga this weekend as an alternative of tremendous middleweight terror David Benavidez, however seems untroubled by the accusations of ducking.
“I simply can’t await Saturday night time,” he continued. “That is going to be an ideal matchup for the individuals. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is all the time thrilling.” Positive sufficient, Canelo will likely be representing his native Mexico this Saturday night time in Las Vegas, whereas Berlanga will likely be representing Puerto Rico. Suffice to say, the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry is likely one of the greatest rivalries within the sport. “It’s an honor to battle on this date,” stated Canelo. “Mexican Independence Day is essential for us. It’s very particular and I’m very proud to battle for the Mexican individuals.”
Though he’s clearly an enormous favourite heading into this weekend Canelo made it clear throughout Wednesday’s press convention that he’s taking Berlanga as severely as he does another opponent. “I all the time put 100 per cent into my fights and into coaching, irrespective of who I’m preventing,” he stated. “It’s the identical mentality each battle. That is no exception. I’ve had an ideal coaching camp and I’m prepared.”
The undefeated Berlanga, in fact, is totally conscious of how massive a match he’ll be having on Saturday. “That is the chance of a lifetime for Workforce Berlanga,” he stated. “It’s gonna be a firefight this weekend. On Saturday night time, I’m gonna make everybody a believer. Now we have Puerto Rico vs. Mexico and we’re going at it on Saturday night time.” Positive sufficient, Berlanga is trying to finish the battle early this weekend. “I’m a knockout artist,” he stated. “Each fighter needs the knockout. We all know that he’s a legend and we are able to’t simply go swing for the fences. Now we have to do it the suitable method. Sixth-round knockout, that’s what we’re going for. However we’re prepared for all 12 rounds if we’ve got to.”
As for Canelo, the longer term Corridor of Famer needs to show he’s not over the hill on the nonetheless comparatively younger age of 34. “I simply wish to present everybody that I’m nonetheless one of the best,” he stated.
