By Miriam Onyango
Edgar Berlanga thinks he could be back in the ring with Canelo Alvarez in about nine months. He claims he'll beat Jaime Munguia, win the super middleweight belt, and then face off against Canelo (62-2-2, 39 KOs) for the undisputed title. Because he believes a fight involving Munguia would significantly increase pay-per-view revenue, Berlanga has no interest in competing against Caleb Plant.
To secure a rematch with Canelo, Berlanga may need to do more than just beat Munguia and win the belt. To get a rematch with Canelo, he may have to beat Munguia as well as opponents like Caleb Plant, Diego Pacheco and Osles Inglesias. The way Berlanga is speaking, it seems he thinks he can use this backdoor to face Canelo again, just like he did to win the first title. Despite a 22-0 career record, he has never beaten a good opponent.
On September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) was defeated by Canelo via unanimous decision after 12 rounds. The judges scored the fight 118-109, 117-110 and 118-109, so it wasn't a particularly close contest.
“I know we can have a rematch in a year and a half, and I'm sure I can beat him for sure,” Edgar Berlanga was quoted as saying in media reports.
“This was my first world title fight. It was a unification. It could have been undisputed. Right now, Caleb [Plant] It’s on the radar, but right now, I want Munguia. That fight with the PPV numbers and the gate. He’s a big draw in Mexico. You saw me and Canelo. We just made history. Me and Munguia will do the same,” Berlanga said.
If Berlanga beats Munguia and Canelo is not impressed, Berlanga could face Plant. Berlanga would have to fight Canelo as a good opponent unless he agrees to fight him if he ignores him.
Jaime Munguia will be a very tough opponent for Berlanga because he is a more skilled offensive fighter than Berlanga. Although Munguia is younger than Berlanga, he has more talent and experience than Berlanga.