Podcast: Preview of Canelo-Berlanga PPV; also hear from Canelo
Plus: News of the week; anniversaries of two big fights I covered
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LAS VEGAS — There is just one major card on Saturday and it is a big one: unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez defending against Edgar Berlanga in a Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend. We previewed the fight and the undercard. I also had a chance to speak to Canelo on Wednesday, so you will hear that as well. There is also news of the week and memories on the anniversary of two huge Vegas fights I covered on past Mexican Independence Day weekends.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Preview and thoughts on Canelo-Berlanga.
Hear from Canelo from when I spoke to him on Wednesday following the press conference about what still motivates him to fight and more.
Preview of the Canelo-Berlanga undercard, including Erislandy Lara’s WBA middleweight title defense against Danny Garcia; Caleb Plant versus Trevor McCumby for the vacant WBA interim super middleweight title; former junior welterweight titlist Rolando Romero against Manuel Jaimes; and former unified junior featherweight titlist Stephen Fulton moving up in weight to face Carlos Castro.
I am in Las Vegas covering Canelo-Berlanga. Please upgrade to a paid subscription and make sure you don’t miss any coverage. You’ll also have full access to all posts, the full archive, you can make and read comments and you will help support independent journalism.
TJ’s interview with Mark Boccardi of PPV.com, one of our sponsors, on the Canelo-Berlanga event, which his platform will carry.
Announcement that Shakur Stevenson tore a tendon in his right hand, had surgery and has been forced out of his WBC lightweight title defense against Joe Cordina on Oct. 12.
My reporting that WBA lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis will not headline a pay-per-view card Nov. 2 — despite reports from others that he would — and what other dates are possible and who he could face.
Announcement of another strong Riyadh Season card on Nov. 16, this one its first non-pay-per-view event headlined by a cruiserweight title unification bout between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith.
Ringside memories on the 22nd anniversary of when Oscar De La Hoya stopped bitter rival Fernando Vargas in the 11th round of an excellent fight to unify junior middleweight titles in a huge grudge match.
Ringside memories on the 12th anniversary of when Sergio Martinez outpointed Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a huge fight to retain the lineal middleweight title and regain the WBC belt in a one-sided bout — other than the absolutely electrifying moments in the 12th round when Martinez nearly got knocked out.
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We bring you the preview each Friday and the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.
Photo: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom Boxing
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