AFP – Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his unified super middleweight world title with a punishing unanimous decision over Edgar Berlanga yesterday in Las Vegas.
Alvarez knocked down the previously unbeaten Berlanga in the third and was relentless throughout the 12 rounds.
The champion rocked Berlanga with a big right in the waning seconds of the ninth round and Berlanga’s cornerman could be heard asking his fighter: “Are you awake?”, as he sat on his stool before the 10th.
Berlanga, who was warned for an intentional head butt, remained defiant, taunting Alvarez as they came out for the 12th.
But the Puerto Rican-American couldn’t find the stoppage he’d brashly predicted.
The vastly experienced Alvarez put him under pressure early.
He tried gamely to respond in the third after Alvarez landed a right to the head, but a devastating left hook from Alvarez sent him down. Berlanga banged his gloves together as he sat on the canvas and hopped up quickly.
Berlanga had no answer as Alvarez went after him with debilitating body blows.
“Now what are they going to say?” said Alvarez. “I fight younger fighters? Before they say I fought older fighters. They always talk.
“I’m the best fighter in the world,” added Alvarez.
