NEW YORK – August 5, 2024 – Pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez and undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist Edgar Berlanga went face-to-face Monday at a press conference in New York to preview their upcoming showdown as Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The press conference also featured Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García as preview their 12-round co-main event between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters. The pay-per-view will also see former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Additionally, former unified WBC and WBO World Champion at 122-pounds Stephen Fulton Jr. was in attendance on Monday to announce his upcoming September 14 bout that headlines PBC on Prime Video action leading into the pay-per-view as he faces hard-charging contender Carlos Castro in a 10-round featherweight bout.
The main event showdown will deliver the latest chapter in the long boxing rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico with the fighting pride of Mexico in Canelo Álvarez defending his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles against Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga, the WBA’s No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender. Highlighted by numerous historic matchups including Salvador Sánchez vs. Wilfredo Gómez and Julio César Chávez Sr. vs. Héctor Camacho, Canelo is no stranger to this heated rivalry, having defeated Puerto Rican Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto in one of the biggest Mexico vs. Puerto Rico fights in recent memory. For the Brooklyn-born Berlanga, who was joined on stage Monday by hip-hop legend Fat Joe, September 14 offers him a chance to honor his Puerto Rican heritage with a career-defining victory.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Monday from Palladium Times Square:
CANELO ÁLVAREZ
“I’m very happy to be here in this position representing Mexico versus Puerto Rico. I know I’m facing a young fighter and a strong fighter, and I’m going to put all of my best into training and into this fight. I love boxing and I love what I do. I’m going to make this a great day for Mexico.
“This is a good fight for the fans. I know he’s going to bring something different. It’s the kind of fight you’re going to remember.
“I know he’s going to come to bring everything, and I will too. It’s the kind of fight I enjoy a lot. I can’t wait.
“Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is history. There have been so many great fights between them and this is going to be another one added to that story. This is going to be a great night for boxing.
“If he’s dreaming about fighting me, that’s perfect. He’s got it. Dreams coming true for him, but it’s gonna hurt.”
EDGAR BERLANGA
“There’s a lot of doubt out there on me, but I’ve been facing adversity all my life. This is my opportunity to be legendary in the sport of boxing. September 14 is going to be something to remember. Puerto Rico vs. Mexico is the biggest rivalry in boxing and we’re making history September 14.
“Even if I had a world title, I’d still be overlooked. Nobody wanted to sign me when I went pro, I had to dig my feet deep into the ground and work. I feel like I’m in the same position right now.
“Canelo is definitely going to bring the best out of me. He’s going to have the best Edgar Berlanga ever in front of him. Every time I step up, I step up my abilities.
“This fight is all about intelligence. We have to make sure we match him there. It’s will versus will. We’re not running. We’re going to stay right there and we’re going to do what we do.
“I’ve been boxing for 20 years and we’ve been dreaming about this fight. When I first turned pro, Canelo was on my mind. I manifested this fight.
“We’re coming to turn up on September 14. We have business to handle.”
ERISLANDY LARA
“I’m very thankful to my whole team for getting this fight made successfully. I can’t wait to get in the ring and see everyone on September 14. Puerto Rico vs. Cuba, let’s go!
“My team and I had Danny Garcia in mind all along. We came to see him fight against Jose Benavidez Jr. and he’s as advertised, a great champion of multiple divisions. This is the fight that the fans deserve.
“He can talk the talk and think whatever he wants. Everyone knows who I am and how I fight. We will see what happens on September 14”
“I am the reigning world champion, and that is how it’s going to remain until I retire.”
DANNY GARCIA
“This is a historic fight for me. It’s always been a dream of mine to be a three-division world champion. Now I have a tough task in front of me in Lara and we’re gonna make it an epic night.
“I’m chasing a dream and I never stop until I get what I want. I’m here because I’m a great fighter.
“This is a fight that I wanted. He has the title and that’s what I was looking for. He wants my name and I want his title. It makes perfect sense. I’m coming to make history.
“Boxing is all mental. You can do whatever you put your mind to. I know mentally, I can do whatever I put my mind to. Weight is just weight. Boxing is about skill and will. At the end of the day, when you’re tired and you go into those championship rounds, it’s about who’s got the will. He can box, but everyone knows Danny Garcia comes to fight.
“I want to thank all my fans who have been patient waiting for me to come back. Coming into this fight, I’m excited to be sharing the stage with so many amazing fighters, including the face of boxing in Canelo.”
STEPHEN FULTON JR.
“It feels good to be back. I’m ready to get in there again. I see more titles for me at 126 pounds.
“I was ready to move up to 130-pounds, but I’m going to make a stop at 126 to win another world title and become a two-division champion. Then I’ll move up and do the same thing again.
“I can go as far as I want to go in this division, it’s just up to me.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager & Trainer
“Mexico vs. Puerto Rico has historically been a war, that’s the way it’s always been. We have seen that since those memorable Julio Cesar Chavez fights and since those Salvador Sanchez victories.
“Berlanga is a great Puerto Rican contender that wants to take all the belts, but we are in great shape and ready to give you all a great fight on September 14”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“We’re excited to be back with another huge Canelo fight, this one honoring Mexican Independence Day Weekend. This will be Canelo’s third fight in a row under the Premier Boxing Champions banner and it’s been a pleasure to work with him, Eddy and their whole team as he gets ready to take on the hard-hitting top-rated contender Edgar Berlanga.
“On September 14 at T-Mobile Arena, the Mexican fans and Puerto Rican fans are going to be in for a wild scene out in Las Vegas. Not just on fight night, but all week during fight week. National pride is on the line, and we all know that Mexican fighters and Puerto Rican fighters love to slug it out. We have a great night and I’m looking forward to it.
“We have a great card to go with this exciting main event. Erislandy Lara is coming in off a knockout in March and has made for many great fights over the years, and he’ll be going up against one of the best 140-pounders of all-time in Danny Garcia, who’s a throwback fighter always looking to fight the best.
“Adding in a fighter as talented and accomplished as Stephen Fulton Jr. to headline the Prime Video portion of the event really shows what kind of great card we have on September 14.”
EDDIE HEARN, Chairman of Matchroom Sport
“It doesn’t get any bigger than Canelo fight weeks. I think Edgar is being overlooked and disrespected. He’s here only to win. He had 16 first round knockouts in his first 16 fights. He’s got dynamite in hi hands and he’ll put everything on the line September 14.
“I know Canelo wants real fights and guys who will come at him to win. Edgar will come for a firefight. It’s even deeper than Puerto Rico vs. Mexico, because this is the opportunity of a lifetime for Edgar Berlanga.
“This is going to be a wild week. Incredible scenes. But remember one thing, Edgar Berlanga is coming to dethrone the king.”
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