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.
(Photograph 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 somewhat than a compulsory one with the WBA.
Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs), in a matter-of-fact tone, instructed the media final Saturday night time 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 could be involved in combating Morrell for his WBA ‘common’ title, Berlanga stated, “No.” He solely wished 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 probabilities of success towards the gifted Cuban fighter would slim.
Absurdity Uncovered
“WBA president Gilberto Mendoza instructed me after 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-compulsory protection however not a compulsory,” stated boxing knowledgeable 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 Could 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, however it’ll make them even angrier if he faces Berlanga subsequent. The Eddie Hearn-promoted Berlanga has just 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
