Canelo Alvarez is no longer the undisputed super-middleweight world champion.
Between December 2020 and November 2021, the Mexican superstar stormed through the 168lbs division, beating all three unbeaten world champions in the space of just 11 months to become WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO king.
Canelo was the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super-middleweight world champion, but has now been stripped of the IBFCredit: Amanda Westcott/Showtime
Canelo first beat Callum Smith, then dethroned Billy Joe Saunders and finally unified completely by stopping Caleb Plant.
He even had time to fit in a mandatory defence against Avni Yildirim in between as he thrived in this spell of activity.
At the time, Canelo was boxing’s pound-for-pound king, dominating as undisputed at super-middleweight and a four-division champion.
However, he then took a leap too far as he lost to Dmitry Bivol while trying to challenge one of the top dogs at light-heavyweight (175lbs).
Since then, the Mexican has wisely returned to super-middleweight and been defending his WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO crowns.
Gennady Golovkin, John Ryder, Jermell Charlo and most recently Jaime Munguia have been his victims.
Now though, Canelo has been left in a predicament which has resulted in him being stripped of his IBF world title.
For his next fight on September 14, he was ordered to defend against his little-known IBF mandatory challenger William Scull.
Because this is not a very marketable fight though, Canelo has instead opted to fight Edgar Berlanga.
Therefore he’s been stripped of his IBF belt and lost his undisputed status.
Berlanga is unbeaten at 22-0 (17 KOs), but many fans don’t believe he’s earned a shot at CaneloCredit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Canelo is only WBA, WBC and WBO world champion now and defending those three unified titles against Berlanga.
“I am very happy for this fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico,” said Canelo.
“It’s exciting to be part of another great Mexico vs Puerto Rico battle inside the ring because historically we have always offered unforgettable fights full of passion.
“I am proud to contribute to this legacy and facing an opponent like Edgar Berlanga adds even more excitement and meaning to this event.”
Berlanga added: “This is the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I deserve to be here, and I’m going to shock the world and silence the critics by delivering a masterful performance and knocking out Canelo Alvarez on Sept 14.
“I will prove that my Puerto Rican heritage surpasses Mexican boxing, from Gomez to Trinidad to Cotto, and now to Berlanga.
“I will reclaim what is rightfully ours. I’m ready to make this a historic firefight, continuing the greatest rivalry in boxing: Puerto Rico vs Mexico. Vamos arriba, puñeta!”
“Every day we are preparing,” said Canelo’s manager and trainer Eddy Reynoso.
“We know that Berlanga is a good fighter, a strong, undefeated fighter.
“The confrontations within boxing between Mexico and Puerto Rico are always intense fights, very morbid fights and, above all, very good boxing.
“Puerto Rico has produced many world champions and hall of fame fighters. Mexico has done the same.
“It is going to be a very attractive fight against a great fighter in Berlanga who’s undefeated and faced some of the best fighters competing at 168lbs over the last few years.”
If Canelo wins, he will receive an offer from Saudi boxing chief HE Turki Alalshikh to fight Terence Crawford next.
“I will give Canelo what I think is a fair price,” HE Alalshikh told ESPN.
“If he accepts it, he deals directly with me to finish the deal. I don’t want anyone in the middle.
“I guaranteed Crawford a big fight, I want Canelo for Crawford and Crawford wants Canelo.
“But if Canelo is crazy [with his financial demands] I will still guarantee Crawford any fight he wants.”