“I feel amazing,” said Edgar Berlanga after demolishing Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz with just thirty seconds left in the first round of their fight. The dominant victory has significantly boosted his confidence – so much so that he is already looking ahead to his next big fight. Among the top names in the 168-pound division, one stands out above the rest: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Canelo and ‘The Chosen One’ had an electrifying showdown last September that went the distance. However, the much-anticipated title challenge ended in disappointment for the Nuyorican. Despite reports suggesting he was celebrating his first professional loss, Berlanga has spent his time reflecting and rebuilding. But as is often the case with Canelo, he calls the shots when it comes to choosing his opponents. The super middleweight star has a busy year – following his fight with William Scull in May, he is set to face Terence Crawford in September. With multiple contenders lining up, will he make room for Edgar Berlanga, especially now that he has a four-fight deal with the Riyadh Season?

Edgar Berlanga: ‘Canelo,’ I’ll be waiting for you in 2026!

During the post-fight interview, when Chris Mannix asked, “You are a free agent now, and certainly you’re going to have a lot of options moving forward. What’s at the top of your list? What do you want to do next?” Berlanga, flashing a sheepish smile, shot back, “You know who I want. You know my hit list.”

Berlanga started by mentioning Jaime Munguia. Though their rivalry has been lighthearted so far, Berlanga and Munguia seem to have traded a few jabs in the past. Other names followed – Jermall Charlo and Caleb Plant. But when Berlanga reached the final name on his list – Canelo Alvarez – his emotions took over. Hinting at the deep-rooted boxing rivalry, he had framed their previous encounter as a Mexico vs. Puerto Rico clash.

So why not run it back once again in 2026? In fluent Spanish, he added, “Vamos a hacer la revancha, vamos a hacer la revancha en el 2026. Vamos arriba, tú sabes que Puerto Rico y México es el mejor, lo hice.” It roughly translates to: “We’re going to do the rematch; we’re going to do the rematch in 2026. Let’s go! You know that Puerto Rico and Mexico are the best. I did it.”

How much of Berlanga’s callout will actually reach Canelo’s radar?

For one, the Mexican superstar’s schedule is already jam-packed. First, marking his debut fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 4, Canelo will face the IBF champion, William Scull. There, he will attempt to reclaim the undisputed title. Unless Scull pulls off a miracle, this match’s outcome is all but decided. After that, likely around Mexican Independence Day weekend, as the division’s new four-belt champion, Alvarez will face Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

The remainder of his Riyadh Season four-fight deal extends into 2026. Many anticipate a long-awaited rematch with Dmitry Bivol to headline the Cinco de Mayo event. That would leave just one final slot—for September 2026. With so many contenders vying for the opportunity – most notably David Benavidez – will the Mexican superstar opt for a relatively easier matchup against Edgar Berlanga or Caleb Plant?

However, the bigger question remains: Would a rematch with Berlanga genuinely interest Canelo? After what could be a career-defining showdown with Terence Crawford, Alvarez’s ambitions are likely to soar, not dwindle. Moving forward, he’ll be seeking only the biggest paydays, making the prospect of rematches uncertain.

What do you think? With Berlanga’s latest win, is there a real chance Canelo will entertain a rematch?