Alvarez knocked down the previously unbeaten Berlanga in the third and was relentless throughout the 12 rounds.
The champion rocked Berlanga with a big right in the waning seconds of the ninth round and Berlanga’s cornerman could be heard asking his fighter: “Are you awake?”, as he sat on his stool before the 10th
Berlanga, who was warned for an intentional head butt, remained defiant, taunting Alvarez as they came out for the 12th.
But the Puerto Rican-American, who launched his pro career with 16 straight first-round knockouts, couldn’t find the stoppage he’d brashly predicted.
The vastly experienced Alvarez put him under pressure early, Berlanga looking tentative in the opening two rounds as he was backed repeatedly into the corner.
Berlanga, 27, fell to 22-1.
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