Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is enthusiastic about the potential match between Canelo Alvarez and Chris Eubank Jr. for the super middleweight championship in September. However, Hearn suggests that Canelo should instead consider facing his WBA 168-lb mandatory challenger, Edgar Berlanga, whom he manages. Hearn believes that a showdown between Canelo and Berlanga could leverage the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry and attract a significant audience in the U.S.
Critics point out that Berlanga’s opponents have been relatively unknown and question his popularity beyond dedicated boxing fans. They argue that Hearn’s approach of carefully selecting Berlanga’s opponents has not helped raise his profile in the sport.
While Hearn supports the idea of a Canelo-Berlanga fight, skeptics doubt Berlanga’s readiness to compete at Canelo’s level. They suggest that Berlanga should have faced stronger contenders like David Morrell, Caleb Plant, or David Benavidez to enhance his credibility as a fighter.
Although Hearn believes that a matchup between Canelo and Berlanga would draw significant interest, critics express uncertainty about Berlanga’s ability to draw a large audience in the U.S. They argue that Berlanga may not possess the star power required to make a fight with Canelo truly impactful.
Ultimately, the decision regarding Canelo’s next opponent is still undecided. Critics assert that Canelo should challenge himself against tougher opponents such as David Morrell or David Benavidez to silence his critics and affirm his stature as a top-tier fighter.
