As the odds indicate, this seems like a matchup that Álvarez should dominate. This is far from the first time a promising challenger has fought Canelo, and as long as he’s operating close to his maximum capacity, this should be a relatively easy night at the office for him.

Álvarez has assured those concerned about his decline that he is about to show he is still at the top.

“I want to show everyone that I’m still the best,” he said at a pre-match press conference. “I still love this sport. If I don’t love it anymore, you’ll know. I love my routine and I love going to the gym every day.”

At the same time, Berlanga understands the task ahead of him and he plans not to let this opportunity pass him by.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Berlanga said at the same news conference. “It’s going to be a shootout this weekend. … I’m going to make everybody believe. We’ve got Puerto Rico against Mexico, and we’re going to go at it Saturday night.”

The Mexico-Puerto Rico angle is a good way to sell the match, but Berlanga doesn’t get much respect from the bookies, and it’s easy to see why.

The Puerto Rican began his career with a string of first-round knockouts, but his power numbers have declined as the competition has gotten tougher. He has just one knockout in his last six fights.

Berlanga does have a reach advantage. At 6’1″ and 73-inch reach, he will make Alvarez look small in the ring. His ability to use his jab and take advantage of that reach will be crucial if he wants to make things interesting.

The most likely scenario is that Álvarez’s wealth of experience and superior skills will be the deciding factor here. Berlanga is a fighter who thrives when he can control the pace of the fight and push the pace when he wants to.

That is not something Álvarez is going to allow him to do. He is going to close the distance, invite Berlanga to throw punches and counter them expertly.

It may not be enough to get a decision, but it should be enough to win the fight comfortably and keep the belts around his waist.

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