Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Boxing superstar Alvarez knocks down challenger and wins on points
Re-live the action, after Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez puts his super-middleweight belts on the line against Edgar Berlanga
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez beat Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on Saturday, retaining the unified super-middleweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena.
Canelo, 34, dropped his challenger with a perfect left hook in round three and continued to outbox the American, 27, ultimately handing Berlanga the first loss of his career.
Berlanga had his moments, but Canelo’s famous chin held up to the younger fighter’s offence, and much of the drama came when the boxers traded fouls and heated words – the latter both during and between rounds.
Yet it was all respect between the pair after the final bell, as Berlanga apologised to Canelo for some of his behaviour and congratulated the champion on his victory.
Re-live updates and see results from the undercard and main event, below.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round 12
Berlanga motions to the crowd, to the sound of boos. Canelo does the same, to cheers.
Berlanga fights behind his jab, but he needs a power shot now; he needs a finish.
Some grappling ensues. Great cross by Berlanga! But again, Canelo’s famously hard chin takes the shot well.
Canelo with a cross to the body and a jab to the head.
Canelo with a left hook up top, then he whips one to the body.
The final bell sounds, and Canelo and Berlanga immediately touch gloves and hug each other!
Canelo should be a comfortable winner, but Berlanga engaged – certainly more than some of Alvarez’s past opponents – and made it a fun occasion.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round 11
Into the championship rounds. The crowd has reached a fever pitch in the T-Mobile Arena. Berlanga is starting to land increasingly on a tired-looking Canelo...
Now Canelo puts Berlanga off-balance with a left hook, though! A jab snaps back Berlanga’s head now.
Berlanga complains that a left hook landed too low, and Canelo half-apologises.
Nice jab work from Canelo late in the round. He and Berlanga trade more words after the bell.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round 10
Three rounds to go. Canelo rolls nicely with a cross from Berlanga, lessening the impact.
Berlanga with some nice variety in his combinations, but Canelo seems unfazed. The Mexican is hunting down Berlanga, happy to go head to head with his challenger.
Some stern uppercuts from Berlanga now.
Oh! The boxers trade heated words late in the round! Canelo shouts something at Berlanga, who does the same and throws a crotch chop in return.
It stemmed from Canelo turning his back on Berlanga and eating a leaping hook from the American.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round nine
Nice cross from Canelo. And another, set up by a jab! That one-two jolted back Berlanga’s head.
It spurs on Berlanga, who retaliates with some offence of his own, but it’s not as eye-catching as Canelo’s.
Great right uppercut by Canelo in the corner, after he misses two heavy left hook attempts!
Berlanga is landing the occasional counter, but he’s getting outworked here.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round eight
Canelo winds up a left hook but just misses. The Mexican has slowed down ever so slightly in the last couple of rounds, it must be said. It’s giving Berlanga a window into the fight.
There’s a timeout now, after Canelo lands a clean cross after the referee issued a break. To be fair, it didn’t seem intentional; the timing was just unfortunate. The ref was in fact warning Berlanga for leading with his head, it seemed.
Correction: Upon seeing a replay, there’s a fair argument that Canelo landed the late shot on purpose, aha...
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round seven
Canelo corners Berlanga yet again but is warned for straying slightly low with a jab.
Good movement from Berlanga to evade a right overhand and left hook. He’s leaning on the ropes, using them to help his defence.
Berlanga goes down again, but it’s a clear trip this time. Berlanga takes his time to get back up, though.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round six
Berlanga predicted that he would knock out Canelo in round six. He’d need something massive to do so... He might have to focus on not getting stopped himself, in fact.
Some good counter punching from the American now, as he tries to avoid getting stuck in the corner – amid this relentless Canelo pressure.
Berlanga is starting to get through, but Canelo lands a couple of harsh left hooks to the body.
Berlanga slows down drastically in the final minute of the round.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round five
Canelo corners Berlanga again and lands a jab. Now he curves one into a hook. Berlanga ducks under a jab and grapples Canelo.
It’s one-way traffic right now! Canelo is throwing hooks to the body and jabs to the head. Power downstairs, speed upstairs.
Berlanga with a decent cross late in the round.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round four
Canelo has dropped his last three opponents but failed to stop any of them – Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo and John Ryder. Can he find the finish tonight?
The Mexican pressures Berlanga again, cornering him. Jab upstairs, right cross to the body. Now a left hook, burrowed into the mid-section of Berlanga.
Canelo is the shorter man, but he’s the bully in there at the moment.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE
Round three
Tidy stuff from Berlanga, who is parrying much of Canelo’s offence as the champion edges forward. Berlanga is also sticking behind his jab quite well.
OH! And isn’t that typical? Right as I say that, Canelo with a knockdown out of nowhere!!! A perfect left hook does it.
Berlanga is sat down, punching his gloves together in frustration. He’s soon back up, and he seems quite lucid...
But Canelo is going for the kill! He’s decided he wants a statement win! He’s unleashing a prolonged barrage, and Berlanga is just trying to survive in the corner...
Berlanga eventually gets free and slowly gets the pace to where he wants it, but that’s a great round for Canelo.
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