Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga fight format: rounds, weigh-in, rules...

The air in Las Vegas feels electric ahead of the clash between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga. It’s the fight everyone’s been talking about, a battle that feels almost inevitable. Canelo, a man who’s ruled the super middleweight division with an iron fist for years, will defend his WBC, WBO, and WBA titles against the rising star from Brooklyn on Saturday night, September 14, at T-Mobile Arena.

But don’t let the bright lights and glitzy promotions fool you. Beneath it all, this is still about two fighters, gloves on, ready to give everything they’ve got. Canelo’s no stranger to this stage. At 34, he’s been here many times, the veteran now defending his crown for the eighth time. He first snatched a piece of this throne back in 2020, when he took Callum Smith the distance, securing a unanimous decision that left no room for debate. From there, he cleaned house, becoming the undisputed champion after a clinical win over Caleb Plant in 2021. His record speaks for itself: 61 wins, 39 of those by knockout, and just two losses.

His opponent, though, Edgar Berlanga, might be the wildcard here. The 27-year-old from Brooklyn has made a name for himself, not just because of his undefeated record, but because of how he started his career. Berlanga burst onto the scene like a bolt of lightning, knocking out his first 16 opponents in the first round. It was the kind of raw power that gets people to stand up and take notice. But that power seems to have slowed - only one knockout in his last six bouts. Some say he’s matured as a fighter, others whisper that he might’ve lost that early edge. Either way, Berlanga’s stepping into the fire now. This will be his first title fight, his first pay-per-view event, and he’s doing it against a living legend.

The fight will go 12 rounds, barring a knockout, and that’s a format Canelo is comfortable with. Berlanga, too, has gone the distance a few times now, though not against anyone on Canelo’s level. The weigh-in will take place the day before, where both fighters will have to hit the 168-pound mark for the super middleweight division. No small feat, considering the physical toll the training camps have already taken.

As for the rules, they’ll be the standard fare for championship boxing: 10-ounce gloves, three judges scoring the fight on a 10-point must system, and if either fighter suffers a cut from an accidental headbutt, it’ll go to the scorecards after four rounds. If it happens earlier, it’s a no contest. A lot can happen over 12 rounds, and while both fighters have knockout power, many expect this to be a battle of attrition - a chess match in wrapped fists.

Canelo, of course, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Jaime Munguia in May, another notch in his belt following a dominant victory over Jermell Charlo last September. He’s shown no signs of slowing down. Berlanga, though younger, is seen as untested at this level. Yes, the man can punch, but he’s never faced anyone quite like Canelo.

Berlanga’s team is undoubtedly banking on his raw strength and aggression. But Canelo? He’s got patience, experience, and that nasty ability to find an opponent’s weakness and exploit it over time. He’s a fighter who doesn’t rush to knock you out - he breaks you down, bit by bit.

Of course, Canelo isn’t the only action that night. Erislandy Lara, now 41, will put his WBA middleweight title on the line against the seasoned Danny Garcia. Lara, the Cuban-born fighter now living in Houston, has a reputation for being a master technician, a fighter who uses his smarts as much as his fists. Garcia, at 36, is no slouch either. A two-division champion, he’s stepping into this fight after a majority decision win over Jose Benavidez Jr. last year.

Also on the card, Caleb Plant - who once faced off against Canelo - will battle Trevor McCumby for the vacant WBA interim super middleweight title, while Stephen Fulton takes on Carlos Castro in a 10-round featherweight bout. Rounding out the night, Rolando “Rolly” Romero will face Manuel Jaimes in a junior welterweight contest.

The main event is what everyone’s tuning in for, though, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The fight will air on Prime Video PPV at 8 p.m. ET, and for those wanting an alternative, DAZN PPV will also carry the broadcast.

The arena will be full of noise, cheers, and anticipation as Canelo and Berlanga step into the ring. One man looking to solidify his legacy, the other hoping to make a name for himself on the biggest stage of his life. It’s the kind of fight that makes you hold your breath, knowing that one punch could change everything.