Edgar Berlanga Asks Canelo Alvarez to Reconsider Fight Date, Sparking UFC-Boxing Date Clash
As September 14 draws near, the combat sports world is gearing up for a high-octane clash of titans. On one side, the UFC 306: Riyad Season Noche UFC promises fireworks with Dana White at the helm. On the other, boxing fans are eagerly anticipating Canelo Alvarez’s defense of his undisputed super middleweight title against Edgar Berlanga. However, recent comments from Berlanga reveal an unexpected twist in the tale.
In a candid interview on the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru and Henry” podcast, Berlanga expressed his reservations about sharing the date with such a major UFC event. “I’m not gonna lie, man, like because I got a lot of respect for the UFC… If I was in Canelo’s shoes, I would have told personally, me, I would have said, ‘Yo, let’s push the date up… Let’s give [it to] UFC.’ They signed that day, they’re making history that day,” Berlanga admitted.
“I’m not gonna lie, man, like because I got a lot of respect for the UFC… If I was in Canelo’s shoes, I would have told personally, me, I would have said, ‘Yo, let’s push the date up… Let’s give [it to] UFC.’ They signed that day, they’re making history that day,” Edgar Berlanga stated on the ‘Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru and Henry’.
Berlanga’s plea for Alvarez to reconsider the fight date wasn’t just about sportsmanship; it highlighted a deeper respect for the UFC’s significance. “But Canelo’s a guy that he got too much pride. Obviously, you see him going back and forth with Turki [Alalshikh] and stuff. He feels like he is the money man… He’s that guy, you know,” Berlanga explained, shedding light on Alvarez’s larger-than-life persona and his unyielding confidence.
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The clash of schedules is more than just a coincidence; it’s a reflection of underlying tensions in the sports industry. While Berlanga views Alvarez’s fight date as a potential dampener to his own bout, Dana White is embroiled in a different kind of rivalry—one with MGM Resorts. White has voiced his grievances against MGM, accusing them of showing “disrespect” toward the UFC. “When I say MGM, it’s the guys who run [T-Mobile Arena] who have been literally disrespecting us since day one of the relationship,” White stated during the recent Contender Series presser.
For White, the competition on September 14 isn’t about Alvarez or Berlanga. Instead, it’s about MGM and its executives. The UFC CEO has been at odds with MGM, particularly over venue issues. The conflict was significant enough that MGM’s top brass, including CEO Bill Hornbuckle, had to intervene to resolve the situation. “Now Bill Hornbuckle, the guy who runs MGM, had to get in the middle of this thing and try to fix it. That’s how I ended up at the Sphere. It’s a one-and-done. We’ll be back with MGM, and hopefully Bill can figure this thing out between us and the f—ing guys that run the arena,” White added.
“But Canelo’s a guy that he got too much pride. Obviously, you see him going back and forth with Turki [Alalshikh] and stuff. He feels like he is the money man… He’s that guy, you know,” Berlanga added.
The decision to move UFC 306 to the Sphere, a state-of-the-art venue, marks a crucial moment in White’s ongoing negotiations with MGM. The arrangement signifies a temporary resolution, but the underlying tensions hint at a complex relationship between the UFC and MGM.
“disrespecting” him and his promotion for a very long time. “When I say MGM, it’s the guys who run [T-Mobile Arena] who have been literally disrespecting us since day one of the relationship,” White stated.
The Implications of the Date Clash
As the fight night approaches, the clash of events raises intriguing questions about how combat sports promotions navigate their competitive landscape. Berlanga’s desire for Alvarez to shift his fight date reflects a strategic consideration, aimed at maximizing exposure and avoiding overshadowing. Meanwhile, White’s conflict with MGM illustrates the broader business rivalries that can influence scheduling and venue decisions.
For fans, the dual events offer an exciting opportunity to witness top-tier action in both UFC and boxing. The timing, however, underscores the ongoing challenges and power struggles within the sports industry.
