(CNN Spanish)– This Saturday Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez will enter the ring at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to face the American of Puerto Rican origin Edgar Berlanga. The Mexican is no longer the undisputed champion, but in this fight he will expose his super middleweight titles of the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Organization and the World Boxing Association.
Canelo faces a high-caliber rival, who does not have such a great record, but who in 22 undefeated fights has achieved 17 victories by knockout. Gonzalo Alvarado, from Las Vegas, sat down one-on-one with both fighters ahead of this crucial duel.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
It’s been almost three years since you won through a knockout. Will this be the exception, are you going to break that streak on Saturday?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
Obviously. You always want to win by knockout, it’s nice, and also for the people, always. If I have the chance, I’m going to do it, believe me. And this time it will not be the exception, I am going to go out there to look for the knockout. And if it happens, that’s great and let people enjoy a great knockout.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
How much boxing value does it bring when you face an opponent who does not have the same ―let’s say― experience or the same card or fights as you?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
You always learn something, you always learn something from every fighter. Even from children you learn, if you start to think, if you start to see, you always learn something. And this way you always learn something. Let’s hope to learn something from Berlanga on Saturday, but more than anything to win, have one more victory and for people to enjoy a great fight.
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez exposes his record against the dangerous Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas
Much has been speculated about a great fight in Saudi Arabia with Canelo as the main protagonist and, why not, with the popular request to face David Benavidez. The Mexican fighter is focused on his immediate rival, but he did not rule out, given the conditions, fighting outside the United States or Mexico.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
There is talk on the internet and on social networks that in Saudi Arabia they are very interested in starting a fight with you. Would Canelo be willing to fight outside of Mexico and the United States, if an attractive purse were to be presented?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
Yes, well it all depends on how it was made, the bag, everything, how it would have to be made. I am always willing to do what is best for me, for my career and, if the opportunity arises, in a good way, of course.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
If so, which boxer would you like to face?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
I don’t know. Now we would see with whom. But now it is January first, then February.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
When you choose a fight with the chain and a fight for the purse, what percentage of the purse do you take and what percentage does the opponent take?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
Obviously, the promoters offer you what has to be offered. They fight about their pay and that stuff, and being happy is what it’s about too. I have my guarantee and more apart, obviously, from what comes out of the fights and the PPV.
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez gives his opinion on the UFC and the “competition” with boxing on the night of the fight against Berlanga
Gonzalo Alvarado:
This Saturday a mixed martial arts event, the UFC, takes place here at the Sphere. Do you think these types of events overshadow a billboard like yours?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
No, no, not at all. Not opaque at all. The truth is that I am not here to compete with anyone. I know that I have my fans, I know what I can do and, on the contrary, I feel proud that other Mexicans are also being part of this Independence weekend in another event. But they are doing it. So I feel proud of that too.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
And from the Mexicans. First, your (immigration) status. Do you have residency, Canelo, a work visa?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
Of work.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
Perhaps thousands or millions of Mexicans living in the United States who do not have (legal immigration) status are the ones who support you in your career, how supportive are you? ―let’s say― After immigration reform is approved, can they be more stable here in this country?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
Well, that’s what’s important, right? The most important thing for them is that they are calm, that they are well, happy, doing, working, because at the end of the day we are workers.
Everywhere I go, I see Mexicans, in important restaurants, and they are there as cooks, as chefs, and working. And I am very proud of it.
We are very hard-working and I think it is important that they feel good, that they feel supported by a country to which we give a lot, also many services, a lot of work, and I feel that the country should allow these hard-working people to be supported.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
Besides the fact that you celebrate the Independence of Mexico above the box, how else do you celebrate it? Surrounded by family?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
With my family, obviously. My daughter likes to wear Mexican dresses and all this kind of stuff. And well, we do celebrate our Independence from Mexico a lot. Normally I have to celebrate the fight, when not I have to be training. No, there is not much to do, but always, always, very proud.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
What do your children tell you every time you go into the ring? And do you always take them with you when you’re fighting?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
They are very happy, very proud of me. I see them how anxious they are, how proud they are of their dad. How they see me, I am an example for them and I am very proud to do so.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
We saw you in Pasadena in the Mexico vs. New Zealand. What future does it hold for Mexico, for the senior Mexican soccer team, now under the command of Vasco Aguirre and Rafa Márquez?
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez:
Well, I think that they are going to make a very good combination between Aguirre and Rafa Márquez to be able to expose that thorn of positivity, of good attitude for the players. That everyone, each one of them, has to have that winning mentality. That mentality of winning games, of winning championships, and I think it’s very good and I think what they have to do is give the team time, give those who are there time to adapt; also the players, getting to know them more and being able to advance.
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez exposes his record against the dangerous Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas
Canelo Álvarez’s rival, Edgar Berlanga, knows very well the importance of this fight for his own boxing career. Although his choice has been questioned because he is considered an easy rival for the Mexican ―which is far surpassed by his career in combat and victories― The truth is that Berlanga is looking to surprise a rival who, as he himself acknowledges, has already changed his life but who he considers just another fighter.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
We would like to know how you have prepared for this fight against Canelo Álvarez.
Edgar Berlanga:
I prepared very hard, I did a very strong camp for almost six weeks in Boulder, Colorado. I was living in the mountains to get that air, because you know that this is going to be a tough fight and good condition is needed.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
This preparation against Canelo has been ―I guess so― different than when you have faced another rival.
Edgar Berlanga:
Yes, Canelo is Canelo, you understand me. But for me, for me really, he’s another fighter for me, you know what I mean? And no, I’m not looking like (astonished voice) “I’m fighting Canelo,” you know what I mean? For me, that’s not on my mind, he’s another fighter.
Edgar Berlanga says that Canelo Álvarez does not intimidate him
Gonzalo Alvarado:
You come into this fight undefeated. Are you prepared to add another victory or if things go the other way, who registers the first defeat? What is your mentality like in that regard?
Edgar Berlanga:
No, my mentality is to win this Saturday and to make history for Puerto Rico, for Latin America and for me too, do you understand me? To make history and to be a legend like him. We have a new big opportunity this Saturday, we are going to take that opportunity and go up, it is going to be an explosive, intelligent fight, we are ready (ready).
Gonzalo Alvarado:
How do you feel that you are part of that legend? Because Puerto Rico and Mexico have always been great rivals in boxing, and for you to face a great figure like Canelo, does that fill you with a lot of pride?
Edgar Berlanga:
Yes, a lot of pride. Very proud to represent Puerto Rico at this moment. Because in moments like when Tito lost against Óscar de la Hoya, Macho Camacho against Julio César Chávez, do you understand me? And now this is another fight in the history of Puerto Rico against Mexico and we are ready, we are good, we are happy. I want to make history, I want a victory for Puerto Rico, to win for my people, for Latin America.
For me, Canelo… his time has passed, now the time belongs to Edgar Berlanga.
Edgar Berlanga says that Canelo is part of the past: “Now is my time”
Gonzalo Alvarado:
How has your life changed now that you are going to face Canelo?
Edgar Berlanga:
Everything changed. Now we have many eyes on me. I can talk more about my life as I grew up, my life, living in the village, in New York. My dad went to prison for many years, now we have many eyes and I can really show the world who I am.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
If you described yourself in three words as a boxer, how would you describe yourself?
Edgar Berlanga:
With good movement, good waist and intelligent. I have a lot of IQ.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
What we saw at the press conference in Beverly Hills where there was that meeting and it was obvious that there was a lot of rivalry, like you want to show who Berlanga is. Do you want that name, Edgar Berlanga, to now be immortalized when facing a boxer like Canelo?
Edgar Berlanga:
I want to put my name, Berlanga, like him, like Canelo. I want to make history, make my last name legendary. Like a legend, like Tito, like Cotto, like Camacho, like Alfredo Benítez, like them, representing Puerto Rico.
Gonzalo Alvarado:
Now you are fighting during a time of year that is very important for Mexicans, Independence. It is a time when many Mexicans come to Las Vegas and support, in this case, Canelo. You are going to have a fan, the majority of the fans, are going to be in favor of Canelo. Are you mentally prepared, mentally prepared, to face the fans in that way?
Edgar Berlanga:
Yeah, we’re fine, because that’s like the Puerto Rican parade in New York. But we’re fine, because I know we’re going to have a lot of fans supporting me that day, Saturday. Puerto Rico is going to be there in the fight with the flags representing hard Puerto Rico.
