WBA president Gilberto Mendoza says Edgar Berlanga’s win final weekend makes him the obligatory for David Morrell Jr’s WBA ‘common’ tremendous middleweight title, not Canelo Alvarez’s undisputed 168-lb championship as many reported.
(Picture credit score: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom)
Dan Rafael says he spoke with WBA president Mendoza, who knowledgeable him that Berlanga is the obligatory for Morrell’s ‘common’ title and never Canelo. After all, if he chooses, that gained’t cease Canelo from combating Berlanga. It will be a voluntary protection for Canelo relatively than a compulsory one with the WBA.
Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), in a matter-of-fact tone, informed the media final Saturday evening that he’s the WBA obligatory for Canelo after his sixth-round knockout win over Padraig McCrory on the post-fight press convention.
When requested if he can be excited by combating Morrell for his WBA ‘common’ title, Berlanga mentioned, “No.” He solely needed Canelo and felt he’d earned the shot by beating McCrory in a WBA title eliminator.
Berlanga and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, gained’t comply with battle Morrell as a result of that’s not a big-money battle just like the Canelo match-up, and the possibilities of success towards the gifted Cuban fighter would slim.
Absurdity Uncovered
“WBA president Gilberto Mendoza informed me once I requested him this week that Edgar’s win within the eliminator made him obligatory for normal titleholder David Morrell and that if there’s a Canelo-Berlanga bout it might be a Canelo non-obligatory protection however not a compulsory,” mentioned boxing skilled Dan Rafael on X.
“Morrell is the WBA obligatory for Canelo (a battle that has not been ordered at this level), and Berlanga is the obligatory for Morrell (a battle additionally not but ordered). Sure, it’s all absurd.”
If Canelo does select to defend his undisputed championship towards Berlanga on Might 4th, he gained’t have the excuse that he’s defending towards his WBA obligatory to fall again on, as it might be a voluntary protection. Canelo gained’t have that as cowl to clarify away his rationale for combating Berlanga, which might make him look dangerous within the eyes of followers.
Boxing followers are already upset sufficient at Canelo for not defending towards David Benavidez, but it surely’ll make them even angrier if he faces Berlanga subsequent. The Eddie Hearn-promoted Berlanga has lately fought weak opposition from Europe, beating Padraig McCrory and Jason Quigley. Followers really feel that Berlanga hasn’t completed sufficient to charge a title shot towards Canelo
