Saul Alvarez vs Edger Berlanga predictions and boxing betting tips: Canelo can claim an early victory

Where to watch Saul Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga

DAZN pay-per-view. The main event is scheduled for around 4am.

Best bet

Saul Alvarez to win in rounds 1-6
1pt 13-5 Hills

Saul Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga prediction

Saul Alvarez’s WBA, WBC and WBO super-middleweight title defence against Edgar Berlanga is the highlight of a Las Vegas card set for the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Erislandy Lara takes on Danny Garcia, on a night which also features Rolly Romero, Stephen Fulton and Caleb Plant. 

Alvarez is no longer the undisputed 168-pound king having been stripped of his IBF belt, but the Mexican remains an elite-level fighter and that is something Berlanga has to prove. 

Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, Plant, Billy Joe Saunders, Callum Smith, Sergey Kovalev and Danny Jacobs have fallen to Canelo in recent years and those are all top-level performers. 

The 34-year-old Alvarez was beaten when stepping up to light-heavyweight to face Dmitry Bivol in 2022, but there have been few signs of regression from the 65-fight veteran. 

Berlanga is unbeaten and unexposed, and while there is some potential upside to the 27-year-old, the Chosen One has plenty to prove in Vegas.

The Puerto Rican made his name with 16 consecutive first-round stoppage victories at the start of his career, but there is little substance to Berlanga’s form and a clash with Alvarez rates a huge step up in class. 

Victories over Padraig McCrory, Jason Quigley and Steve Rolls are the best Berlanga can offer and that’s a world away from the opponents Canelo has fought and beat. 

Canelo’s last four successes have come by decision, but Munguia was on the canvas in the fourth round last time out and both John Ryder and Charlo touched down in the Mexican’s two previous bouts. 

Berlanga has to prove he has the durability, punch resistance and defensive abilities to compete with the Guadalajara fighter and the Las Vegas showdown could end in an early victory for Canelo. 

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