LAS VEGAS – September 11, 2024 – Pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez and WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga went face-to-face Wednesday at the final press conference before Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day Weekend extravaganza as Canelo defends his WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video this Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Canelo and Berlanga will square off on one of boxing’s biggest fight dates in the latest edition of the historic rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico. Looking to follow in the footsteps of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico battles such as Salvador Sánchez vs. Wilfredo Gómez and Julio César Chávez Sr. vs. Héctor Camacho, Canelo and Berlanga both reiterated the motivation they have to represent their country in style with a knockout victory on Saturday.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:
CANELO ÁLVAREZ
“It’s easy to say you’ll knock me out, but it’s much more difficult to do it. Saturday night is gonna be very difficult for him, for sure. I’ve prepared for the knockout. I love the feeling of a knockout and I’m gonna do my best to get it done.
“I just can’t wait for Saturday night. This is going to be a great matchup for the people. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is always exciting.
“It’s an honor to fight on this date. Mexican Independence Day is very important for us. It’s very special and I’m very proud to fight for the Mexican people.
“I always put 100% into my fights and into training, no matter who I’m fighting. It’s the same mentality every fight. This is no exception. I’ve had a great training camp and I’m ready.
“The fans mean everything to me and I appreciate them. They support me no matter what and I’m thankful for everyone who’s supported me throughout my career.
“I just want to show everyone that I’m still the best. I still love this sport. When I stop loving it, you’ll know. I love my routine and I love going to the gym every day.”
EDGAR BERLANGA
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Team Berlanga. It’s gonna be a firefight this weekend. On Saturday night, I’m gonna make everyone a believer. We have Puerto Rico vs. Mexico and we’re going at it on Saturday night.
“I’m a knockout artist. Every fighter wants the knockout. We know that he’s a legend and we can’t just go swing for the fences. We have to do it the right way. Sixth-round knockout, that’s what we’re going for. But we’re ready for all 12 rounds if we have to.
“It’s gonna be a big fight Saturday and it’s gonna be something amazing. Right now is the calm before the storm. We’re gonna make history and become legends.
“It means everything to be in this position. I’m not supposed to be here. I’ve been doubted since before I turned pro. But I knew that I was bound to end up in this position.
“I could be the face of Puerto Rican boxing after Saturday night. I’ve wanted that for many years and now it’s my turn to do it.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager & Trainer
“We’ve trained hard because we know we are facing a young fighter coming to take our spot. Berlanga is strong and he wants to prove himself against Canelo.
“We’ve been very thorough in training for his fight. We have everything we need for Berlanga and we’re coming to make history.”
MARK FARRAIT, Berlanga’s Trainer
“We’re very happy with this opportunity. We trained very hard, because we know this fight isn’t about physicality or size. It’s about experience and intelligence, which Canelo thinks Edgar has none of. We’re here to make a statement and show the world our patience and our execution.
“I know Canelo is gonna come out and fight smart. He’s not gonna fight Edgar right away. Because if he does, it’s gonna be fireworks early on. This is our opportunity to knock the king off the throne.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“This is one hell of an event lined up for Saturday night. It’s a great card from top to bottom and that is what big-time boxing is all about. We have boxing’s biggest star in Canelo Alvarez headlining Mexican Independence Day Weekend. It doesn’t get any better than that.
“This is a Mexican holiday and Canelo proudly represents the hard-working Mexican fans who come here this holiday weekend to watch their superstar fight. It’s Mexico vs Puerto Rico and they’re fighting for national pride. But on Saturday night, it’s all about Mexican pride.
EDDIE HEARN, Chairman of Matchroom Sport
“This is a special week. I’m excited about this fight. Berlanga has the cojones to take Canelo on for real. You know these guys want to mess each other up.
“Berlanga is here to fight. When I came here yesterday and saw Berlanga, I saw the most confident and determined challenger that I’ve seen take on Canelo yet.”
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ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA
Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.
Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Preceding the pay-per-view, former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup. The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.
The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a welterweight battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in a super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions
