With this Saturday being a big day and night of competitive violence, it’s only right for the evening to have one of the grandest grand finales possible. That’s just what will happen when T-Mobile Arena plays host to an anticipated boxing match at 168 lbs.
While the Las Vegas Sphere plays host to UFC 306 across town, what’s usually the MMA promotion’s “home” arena instead serves as the setting for the last great scrap in the squared circle for the summer of 2024. Live coverage begins at 6 pm ET/ 3 pm PT on DAZN and Amazon Prime with the prelims.
Main card action follows at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on pay-per-view, but it comes with a hefty price tag: $89.99 (USD.) All told, barring any 11th-hour postponements or cancellations on the card, the final version of the itinerary for this special night of pugilism will feature 10 matches inside the ring.
Super-Middleweight Gold At Stake in Main Event Saturday Night
Highlighting the night’s itinerary is a scrap between two of the brightest quasars in the combat sports galaxy. Incumbent WBO and WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Saul Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs), better known as Canelo, battles challenger Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs.)
As per the terms of the bout contract, the fight will be an advertised maximum of 12 rounds at three minutes per round to close the show.
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Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into Saturday night’s main event, Edgar Berlanga stands as the taller man at 6-foot-1, compared to the 5-foot-7-1/2 frame of Canelo Alvarez. Berlanga also owns a 2 1/2-inch reach advantage (73 inches even to 70 1/2 inches) over Alvarez.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Canelo Alvarez installed as a -1800 favorite on the money line, while Edgar Berlanga counters as a +1020 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening in combat sports throughout the weekend, please wager responsibly.
Canelo Up For the Challenge
Canelo Alvarez enters the main event of 4-1 in his last five matches. At the present time, he’s on a four-fight winning streak. All of the wins in his current streak have come by way of decision.
Most recently, he bested Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) back in May by unanimous decision after 12 rounds to retain the championships. In the run-up to Saturday’s contest, he talked to the Big Boy TV YouTube channel about various topics, including being at the top of the heap in his weight class.
“For me, it’s an honor,” the champion began. “At some point, I want to be there. I remember when I fought Floyd Mayweather, I wanted to be in that moment [against] Floyd Mayweather because he was in this position. For me, it’s an honor. I’m here because of my sacrifice, my discipline, how hard I train, and the fights I have and everything all accomplished in the sport of boxing. Everybody wants to fight me. If I fight one guy, he’s looking this [way]. If I fight that other guy, he’s looking [that way].”
He’ll need to be ready on Saturday night because Edgar Berlanga is a tough customer at the shop.
Berlanga Readies for Biggest Test of Career
In the other corner, Edgar Berlanga has yet to lose thus far in his professional boxing career. Last time out, he scored a sixth-round TKO of Padraig McCrory (18-1, 9 KOs) in Orlando from Caribe Royal on Feb. 24.
This was Berlanga’s first knockout since Dec. 12, 2020, when he was still under the Top Rank banner, along with his first such victory to be recorded outside of the first round of a fight. Recently, the challenger talked to Large from Barstool in an interview on the DAZN YouTube channel about the frustration that the champion brings.
“You know, it’s all here,” Berlanga began, pointing to his head. “It’s all here, so that’s my main thing right now for this fight, is just the mentality. I’ve got to be [indestructible].”
Clearly, Edgar Berlanga isn’t letting Canelo Alvarez’ head games bother him ahead of what’s going to be the most critical 12 rounds [or less] of boxing in his life as a pro. He’s shown he’s got the chops to write an early ending to the story. Only time will tell, however, if that comes into play here.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
This has “Fight of the Year” potential written all over it. How couldn’t it be the case with two of the most proficient gladiators in pugilism going at it?
Look for Canelo to Tire Out Berlanga
Throughout his career, Canelo Alvarez has been on a simple, but powerful mission: Seek and destroy. Just look at the tape of his 2021 fight versus Billy Joe Saunders inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Throughout the fight, particularly in its eighth round, Canelo kept his foot on the gas pedal. While Saunders counterpunched during the contest, Canelo was in control as the fight got to its late stage, swelling his opponent’s eye in the process.
As the round neared its end, Canelo continued to attack Saunders, while the latter tried to clinch up to stop the attacks. This proved fruitless for Saunders, whose cornermen resigned from the contest. If Canelo stays active, he’ll defend the title.
Edgar Berlanga Doesn’t Mess Around
In the other corner, Edgar Berlanga is one of the best pugilists around at 168 lbs. When he gets inside the ring, it could only be a matter of time before the fight draws to a close, as was the case against Cesar Nunez.
Right after the fight began, Berlanga put Nunez on the canvas and seized control at that moment. He was using his opponent for target practice all fight long, ending the fight with a left-handed body shot to put Nunez down and out, with the referee waving the contest off as soon as Nunez was dropped.
Edgar Berlanga will have to beat Canelo Alvarez to the punch on Saturday night. If he comes out of the gates with reckless abandon, he’ll score the upset of the year.
Final Thoughts
One last word before we bid you good evening: Get your popcorn ready. You’re going to be needing it on Saturday night.
Prediction: Canelo Alvarez by Eighth-Round TKO.
