Saul “Canelo” Alvarez boxes Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas tonight, defending the unified super-middleweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena.
The Mexican last fought in May – in the same venue – and scored a knockdown of compatriot Jaime Munguia en route to a decision win, having done the same against Jermell Charlo last September and John Ryder last spring.
Meanwhile, American Berlanga enters Vegas with a perfect record of 22-0, including 17 stoppage victories. One of those knockouts came in his last fight, as the 27-year-old stopped Padraig McCrory in February.
Now Berlanga gets his chance to defy the doubters, amid suggestions from many fans that Alvarez is seeking ‘easy’ fights as he edges towards retirement; such fans were keen to see the 34-year-old box David Benavidez this Mexican Independence weekend, but Berlanga gets his shot at the world titles instead.
Follow live updates and results from the undercard and main event, below.
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
The loudest boos yet after another round of inactivity, until…
Garcia eats a light cross, and drops to a knee… and that’s it!
What an underwhelming end to a terribly disappointing fight!
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 03:48
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
Into the second half of the fight. Lara slings a southpaw cross onto the chest of Garcia.
Now a cross to the waistband. Somewhere along the way, Garcia sustained some damage around his left eye.
Better work from Garcia. He fires off a cross to the head then an uppercut to the body.
Up until that point, it had been a very slow round.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 03:36
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
Overhand left connects for Lara. Now Garcia with a decent cross.
Garcia tries to press forward, but he fails to trap Lara or land on the champion.
This has been very dull, it must be said.
A light one-two from Lara, then another. His footwork has been quite slick, to be fair. He also has southpaw angles going for him.
Garcia with a long right hook to the body late in the round.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 03:28
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
Garcia with a couple of jabs, then he bites quite hard on a feint from Lara.
Lara scrapes Garcia’s nose with a jab of his own. The fight is still being contested at a slow pace.
More boos in the T-Mobile Arena.
Lara with a grazing southpaw cross. He’s not looking especially fast or powerful, yet Garcia seems so hesitant to engage with the champion.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 03:20
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
Lara stands southpaw; Garcia is orthodox.
Lara holds the centre of the ring in the first round, looking to maintain range as Garcia throws the occasional cross.
Now Garcia takes the centre of the ring.
The first round was largely a feeling-out frame. More of the same so far, and there are some boos from the Vegas crowd.
Still plenty of time for this fight to pick up, but Plant vs McCumby would’ve been a great appetiser for the main event.
Lara backs up Garcia and sticks behind the jab.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 03:12
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Erislandy Lara vs Danny Garcia
One more fight before the main event: Erislandy Lara defends the WBA middleweight title against Danny Garcia.
Lara is 41, while Garcia is 36. Neither man is in his prime anymore, to be honest, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get an entertaining bout here.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 03:01
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Caleb Plant vs Trevor McCumby
Plant hurts McCumby to the body and pours on shots, switching to the head with a clean uppercut!
McCumby fires back briefly, but he’s in trouble in the corner. Plant sneaks a few hooks around McCumby’s guard now.
McCumby teeters somewhat away from the corner, only to find himself trapped in another.
Smart work from Plant, who attacks the body with a left hook then lands a right uppercut to the head.
OH! And Plant UNLEASHES a series of hooks in the final few seconds of the round, and McCumby starts to fall into the ropes – and the ref steps in! It’s all over!
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 02:46
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Caleb Plant vs Trevor McCumby
Nice little flurry from McCumby at close range, targeting Plant’s head exclusively. Plant creates space and moves forward.
Lovely counter one-two from Plant. McCumby grimaces now as Plant lets go with a prolonged combination.
McCumby rallies a little, though, late in the round.
Both men bounce around, staying light on their feet. Plant drills two uppercuts onto the chin of McCumby – one with each hand.
He squeezes in another uppercut, after both fighters grapple and try to create space.
Strong counter left hook by McCumby. He taunts Plant, trying to get himself fired up.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 02:41
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Caleb Plant vs Trevor McCumby
A much better stint for Plant now. He’s the one taunting at the moment. Again he has McCumby stuck on the ropes and is unloading eclectic offence.
Plant with a beautiful right hook on the counter, then he looks to the crowd – a real moment of showmanship! He’s dancing in front of McCumby now. Where has McCumby’s swagger gone?
Big left hook from Plant! And another huge land on the bell!
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 02:33
Canelo vs Berlanga LIVE: Caleb Plant vs Trevor McCumby
Again Plant goes flying into the ropes. He’s been put off balance about four times – and down twice – by McCumby’s power, even though the punches in question have largely hit his arms and body. An odd fight.
But Plant again does well to respond positively; he backs up McCumby to the ropes and tees off in a prolonged spell, with fine variety and accuracy.
Alex Pattle15 September 2024 02:29