Canelo Álvarez sweeps Berlanga, retains super middleweight title

Mexican boxing star Saul "Canelo" Álvarez scored a resounding victory over Puerto Rican-born American Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on Saturday night, retaining his undisputed super middleweight crown.

Álvarez knocked Berlanga down in the third round, then used his superior experience to win by unanimous decision in a hotly contested fight at T-Mobile Arena, packed with 20,312 fans who cheered loudly for the popular Mexican fighter.

Álvarez, 34, ended Berlanga's unbeaten streak, but remains without a knockout win since 2021.

"They used to say I fought old guys and now I fight young guys. They always talk, but I'm the best boxer in the world," Alvarez cried out about the criticism he receives for his choice of opponents.

After this fight on Mexico's Independence Day weekend, Álvarez did not disclose what his next challenge in the ring will be.

"Now I'm going to be with my family, and then I'll decide," he said.

Álvarez prevailed with a score of 118-109 on two cards and 117-110 on the other to retain his World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association super middleweight (168 pounds - 76.2 kg) championship belts.

The fighter from Guadalajara is the undisputed king of this division since his victory over American Caleb Plant in November 2021, his last knockout win.

He came into Saturday's bout with four successful defenses of his belt, the last one on May 4 against his fellow countryman Jaime Munguia.