Edgar Berlanga appears to be struggling with weight ahead of his highly anticipated title fight against Canelo Alvarez, prompting concerns about his ability to continue fighting in the super middleweight division.
At 168, Berlanga is considered too big for the division, much like David Benavidez before his move to light heavyweight. His size and frame suggest he would be better suited for the higher-weight class. Observers are curious to see how much weight Berlanga will regain after rehydrating for the fight, with some predicting he could enter the ring as a small cruiserweight, potentially weighing over 190 pounds. Even with Canelo’s superior experience and skill, fighting a young, massive opponent like Berlanga could present challenges.
If Berlanga's decision to stay at 168 is motivated by financial incentives, especially considering the payday he'll receive against Canelo, it makes sense. However, critics argue that he’s a natural 175-pounder and would be better off competing in the light heavyweight division, where his size wouldn’t provide the same advantage. The knockouts Berlanga has been known for at 168 may not carry over when facing bigger, stronger opponents at 175.
Should Berlanga move up, he would be entering a division stacked with dangerous fighters, including Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, David Morrell, and David Benavidez, among others. While Berlanga is undoubtedly a talented boxer, a significant part of his dominance at 168 has been attributed to his size advantage, which may not be as effective against top-tier opponents in the light heavyweight division.
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