Pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez and undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist Edgar Berlanga squared off Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles 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 they previewed their 12-round co-main event between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.
Also in attendance Tuesday were former IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb Plant and surging unbeaten Trevor McCumby, who square off for the currently vacant Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title in a pay-per-view attraction, plus former world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes, who meet in a 10-round super lightweight clash that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
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.
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 Tuesday from the Beverly Hills Hotel as Canelo and Berlanga exchanged heated verbal sparring during their face offs and throughout the Q&A portion of the event:
CANELO ÁLVAREZ
“I respect my opponents, but I like to respond when they talk. I’m going to be at my best on September 14 and I’m not gonna have any compassion for him. I’m going to be different. He needs 20 of him to give me any problems.
“I motivate myself because I love what I do. But this type of fight, and these types of fighters who talk to me like that, it motivates me even more. It gets me excited. I’m going to train like never before to win everything on September 14.
“I’m proud to represent my country, especially on days like Mexican Independence Day and especially in a Mexico vs. Puerto Rico matchup. I’m going to represent my country in fashion on September 14.
“Take it easy man, because your turn is coming. He thinks he has more intelligence than me and everyone I’ve fought. C’mon bro, he’s not gonna be able to touch me. I wanna see him try.”
EDGAR BERLANGA
“I’m blessed to have this opportunity to be in the ring with a legend. This is going to be a night for the history books. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico fights at this magnitude stay in the history books forever.
“I’m the type of fighter who comes to fight. I won’t be running. Canelo was once in my shoes and now it’s my time to make my name and become a legend in the sport of boxing.
“This is gonna be a firefight. It’s gonna be different. This is a gladiator sport at the end of the day. We’re looking to take each other out. It’s going to the next level.
“He’s fought everybody and he’s seen it all. The difference in this fight isn’t physical. It’s about IQ and intelligence in that ring. That’s gonna make the difference. You could have all the power in the world, but at this level, it’s about intelligence.
“On September 14, it’s fireworks. He sees it in my eyes. I’m never scared. I’m coming to take his spot in this sport.”
ERISLANDY LARA
“This is going to be a great fight on September 14. I’m 100% ready to get back in there and defend my world title.
“I’m still at this level because I’m always focused, inside and outside of the ring. I want to keep giving the fans great fights, just like I always have.
“Styles make fights and that’s the reason we chose Danny Garcia. He’s a strong fighter. We want this to be a high-quality bout and I believe that’s what will happen on September 14.
“I’m going to be the winner. 100%. No matter how it happens. I’m going to go in there, do my thing and end up with my hand raised.”
DANNY GARCIA
“I have a tough task ahead of me in Lara. I’m chasing greatness, because he’s a champion just like me. It’s going to be a legendary night.
“A lot of people don’t know that I’m a little big guy. I’ve always sparred with bigger people and I always thought I could go up to 160 pounds. I don’t think the weight will matter at all. If the greats can do it, I can do it too. I feel like I’m cut from that same cloth.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to be a three-division world champion. Only so many boxers can say that. The opportunity is here now. Lara has contributed a lot to the sport of boxing like I have. It’s two battle-tested warriors trying to make history. I feel like if I come out on top, this win can put me in the Hall of Fame.
“I’m excited to showcase my skills. People ask why I didn’t take a warmup fight, but when you look this good, you go straight to the top.”
CALEB PLANT
“We have a stacked card on September 14. I’ve been using my time wisely and I’m proud to say that you’ll see the best Caleb Plant of my career on September 14.
“Trevor wants to be part of the big leagues. What he thinks he’s gonna get and what he’s actually gonna get are way different.
“I live by the sword and die by the sword. Make sure you save that money Trevor, because this is gonna be your first and your last payday.
“On September 14 I get my hand raised in fashion. This is his first and last opportunity.”
TREVOR MCCUMBY
“We’re here. We’re training really really hard and I’m gonna show everyone what I’m all about on September 14.
“I’m not really concerned about what Caleb says or what he does. I think he’s kind of insecure. I’m a grown man and I conduct myself a certain way. We’re definitely gonna see on September 14. I’m not sleeping in silk sheets, he is.
“We’ll see if he gets on his bike or if he wants to fight in the center of the ring. I’m ready and I’m training hard. I promise you this is gonna be a great fight.”
ROLANDO ROMERO
“A lot of people fold when they see the big lights. He’s a puncher, so we have to be ready for him and see how he does in this big moment.
“This is gonna be the ‘Rolly’ show once again on September 14. Don’t miss it.
“I’m ready to give everyone a great show once again. I’m excited to be here and get right back into the ring.”
MANUEL JAIMES
“I know I’m a new face and I’m honored to be here with fighters that I watched growing up. But I’m not going to let the moment get too big. I have a tough opponent in front of me and we’re coming for the win.
“He’s been in more big fights, but I’ve been fighting since I was eight years old. I’ve trained in Robert Garcia’s gym and gotten a lot of rounds there. There won’t be a difference in our boxing IQ’s. I’m coming to win this fight and I know I’m gonna win this fight.
“I grew up watching all the big cards on Mexican Independence Day Weekend, so to be able to open the pay-per-view on September 14 is a dream come true.
“If he’s overlooking me, that’s perfect. I’m coming ready.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager & Trainer
“Mexico vs. Puerto Rico is always a war. This is going to be another great chapter in a story between two countries who are very proud.
“When you’re disciplined, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Canelo is even hungrier than he was before and that focus has brought him to where he is today.
“Canelo and Berlanga will both bring their best. But Canelo is still here, and he’s here to stay. We’ll see everyone on September 14.”
MARC FARRAIT, Berlanga’s Trainer
“We know we’re going up against an all-time great. We have our work cut out for us, but Edgar is more than ready. I tell Edgar that Canelo was in his position at one time, so we can’t come with what we’ve been coming with, it’s gotta be something special.
“Eddy Reynoso is a great trainer and that just makes me work harder. Canelo said he’s not gonna have compassion on September 14, and I’ve been saying that since we’ve been in camp. I tell Edgar that we have to be ready for war, and I know he’s ready.
“It’s no coincidence that Edgar’s first title shot will be against a legend. That’s a blessing. He has to take that extremely seriouslys. There have been so many trainers who stood here before and talked about how they can beat Canelo, and lost. So instead, we just have to keep working, because we know that in order to be great, we have to beat a great.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“This really is a special event on Mexican Independence Day Weekend. That weekend always means that there’s a huge boxing event in Las Vegas. Canelo is boxing’s biggest star and he proudly represents a hard-working country with two major public holidays a year where his legions of fans get to come out and watch him fight. On September 14, the Mexican and Puerto Rican fans will be in for a great fight, because national pride will be on the line.”
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