The owner of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, believes he has the definitive name of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez‘s next opponent for September 14 and, according to his information, it would not be David Benavidez or Terence Crawford, but the Puerto Rican fighter, Edgar Berlanga, who is the mandatory challenger of the World Boxing Association (WBA).

In an interview with Boxing News, Hearn confirmed that, although there are no firm negotiations with the Canelo Team at the moment, he did point out that if the fight is finalised, it could take place in the Saudi Arabian market, at the Kingdoom Arena in Riyadh.

“In a million years I can’t believe they’re going to fight Scull,” (International Boxing Federation mandatory challenger).

He added: “I would think it’s a deal to step aside. I’m sure there’s a lot of talk with Canelo Alvarez around the world. I’m not really involved in that, apart from a possible fight with Edgar Berlanga, which there have been some whispers about. There are no negotiations about that fight. Obviously, he’s under contract with us. He’s a Matchroom fighter.”

What are the certainties for the possible fight between Canelo and Edgar Berlanga?

According to El Nuevo Herald, Canelo Alvarez has three finalists for his September fight: Edgar Berlanga, David Benavidez and William Scull, all mandatory opponents and the final decision will be known in the coming weeks.

In Scull’s case, which is the most delicate because if he does not reach an agreement it could cost him the IBF title, Canelo has already made him a financial offer to avoid the fight, but it is still unknown if he accepted the offer to step aside. Several reports confirm that Scull has too little card to challenge for an undisputed 168-pound title fight.

While in the case of Berlanga, he has enough name to challenge the Mexican and, in addition, by becoming WBA mandatory challenger, he has intensified his campaign in search of becoming Canelo’s challenger.

Also in the pipeline remains the possibility of David Benavidez, who looks like the most attractive opponent for Canelo and has been waiting for the opportunity for three years.

Canelo Alvarez, 33, has 61 wins (39 by knockout), two losses and two draws in his professional career and although he is in the beginning of the final stretch of his career, he still has some good fights ahead of him.

Canelo Alvarez will announce a disappointing effort for his usual blockbuster date on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas.

The Mexican superstar confirmed an announcement regarding his career for this Tuesday. Despite retirement assumptions by many, the four-weight world champion is lining up his next fight.

However, Terence Crawford has seemingly fallen out of favor. According to Ring Magazine, Canelo is reverting to type and the original plan to face both Charlo brothers.

Canelo defeated Jermell Charlo at a canter last September after Jermall dropped out, citing personal issues. Jermall wanted the first option to face Canelo next on the premise that he gets back in the ring before the New Year.

He did that when scoring a decisive victory over Jose Benavidez Jr. on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade in November. That triumph put Charlo in pole position due to Canelo’s ongoing deal with Premier Boxing Champions.

But it’s still unlikely Charlo will have any better of a chance than his twin brother.

Canelo vs Charlo

The blueprint for Canelo looks to be seeing out his Charlo fixation before David Benavidez in September. Crawford, hungry for more undisputed accomplishments, must hope super middleweight king Canelo gives him a chance in May 2025 once the dust settles on his renewed time with Al Haymon.

Crawford was recently the subject of discussions by Floyd Mayweather CEO Leonard Ellerbe about his value to Canelo. Ellerbe says Benavidez makes the most sense in finishing the trio of bouts with PBC.

“No. I know the numbers. I know the business. No, it’s [Canelo vs Crawford] not [bigger than Canelo vs Benavidez]. It has nothing to do with whether or not somebody deserves the fight or whether they should fight. We’re just talking about the business. The Benavidez vs. Canelo fight and Crawford vs. Canelo is no comparison,” Ellerbe told Fighthype.com.

“Terence Crawford is the best fighter in the sport. I mean, he’s proven that. But it has nothing to do with the business; you must know what that means. For example, Errol Spence and Terence Crawford are two tremendous fighters. Everybody knows Errol’s my guy, but the biggest fight in boxing all along was Tank and Ryan. Their fight [Spence vs Crawford] was the most talked about fight in the last six or seven years. They were two young [both well over 30], undefeated guys in their prime.

PPV business

“But the business is the business, [and it] said something else. That fight did half of what Tank’s fight did, and their fight did very well. But, again, you just got to understand how this works.

“When you have the kind of experience we’ve had, understanding what these marketplaces look like, and piracy, and all the factors involved with the success of a PPV event.

“It just comes down to knowing what you’re doing and what you’re not doing.”

Fans can expect Canelo to reveal the Charlo decision on Tuesday – if what The Ring is stating comes to fruition.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez already has potential fights lined up for 2024. Terence Crawford and David Benavidez are among Canelo Alvarez’s possible opponents next year, per Talk Sport’s Michael Benson.

“Jaime Mungula, Jermall Charlo and Terence Crawford are reportedly potential opponents for Canelo Alvarez in May, with David Benavidez a potential opponent in September [according to @ESPNKnockout,” Benson tweeted on Tuesday.

If Canelo Alvarez secures a bout against Jermell Charlo in May, it will serve as a rematch. Alvarez prevailed via a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over Charlo on September 30.

Terence Crawford, David Benavidez are Alvarez’s most intriguing opponents

Alvarez criticized Terence Crawford’s record during the lead-up of the former’s bout against Charlo.

Although Crawford has an immaculate 40-0 record with 31 knockouts, the Mexican boxing legend noted the American’s sub-par opposition. Alvarez claimed Crawford’s only quality opponent was Errol Spence, Jr.. Crawford disposed of Spence via a ninth-round TKO on July 29.

“No, look, like I always said, I respect Terence Crawford. He’s a very talented fighter but he won just one big fight. If you see his record, he just beat one good fighter in Errol Spence. Other than that, I don’t think he’s beaten other great fighters like Spence,” Canelo Alvarez said.

David Benavidez said he proved his naysayers wrong after the emphatic win over Demetrius Andrade. Critics thought Benavidez’s sub-par defense will eventually become his downfall. However, Benavidez made Andrade miss time and again. The former improved his unbeaten record to 28-0 with 24 knockouts.

Canelo Alvarez seeks to improve his 60-2-2 record with 39 KOs next year. With the way things are going, potential fights against Terence Crawford and David Benavidez will provide the most drama.