Edgar Berlanga was too completely satisfied after dropping to Canelo Alvarez by a lopsided 12-round determination final weekend, which suggests he doesn’t have the mindset of a winner.
Like others, Paulie Malignaggi didn’t like how completely satisfied Berlanga, 27, was after the battle, as if he’d executed one thing particular by not getting knocked out by the a lot smaller and lover 34-year-old Canelo.
Berlanga handled the loss like an ethical victory, going the space however not preventing arduous or attempting to win. He fought like an even bigger model of Jermell Charlo, who was simply there for the payday towards Canelo however was unwilling to exit on his protect like a warrior.
The 193-lb Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs), who needs to be competing at cruiserweight, acted like he’d executed one thing particular, profitable one or two rounds towards unified tremendous middleweight champion Canelo on the T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
It’s not stunning that Berlanga was ecstatic about not getting knocked out as a result of he received an enormous payday of tens of millions that set him up for all times. Furthermore, not getting knocked out means there can be different nice-paying fights for Berlanga. If Canelo had stopped him, the probabilities for one more large cash battle would have been diminished.
“I don’t thoughts Berlanga’s inventory rising, however you’ve received to let different individuals provide you with credit score for an ethical victory. You’ll be able to’t be that completely satisfied a few loss right here,” mentioned Paulie Malignaggi to the Probox TV channel, discussing Edgar Berlanga appearing happy about having gone the 12-round distance towards Canelo Alvarez final weekend.
Berlanga’s inventory didn’t rise with hardcore boxing followers who noticed the battle and famous that he didn’t attempt to win the Canelo battle. Casuals who don’t perceive what they’re watching can be happy that Berlanga went 12 rounds, however not anybody else. Even when this had been the primary boxing match I’d watched, I’d have been troubled by Berlanga’s lack of effort and smelled a rat. He didn’t attempt to win. He was simply there for the payday.
“For me, he was a bit of bit too completely satisfied for a man that gained one or two rounds within the battle and by no means tried to win the battle. So, there’s a mentality change the subsequent time round when he’s examined at this stage. I’m wondering if a man that thinks like that is able to doing that,” Malignaggi mentioned about Berlanga.
You’ll be able to argue that Berlanga doesn’t take his personal profession significantly. The impression that I received from listening to him and watching his earlier 21 professional fights is that he is aware of what his profession is all about. It’s only one large advertising and marketing gimmick to battle lesser fighters, construct a document on wins over fluff opposition, create a false picture, and promote it to the general public to make a great deal of cash.
It labored as a result of Berlanga received a battle towards Canelo with out ever going through a world class opponent to get the title shot. Now it’ll be rinse and repeat. Berlanga fights extra scrubs to get a second battle towards Canelo or one other fashionable man that he has no enterprise preventing.
“I believe him and Mbilli is a enjoyable battle. I believe him and Munguia is a enjoyable battle. I don’t know if he’s prepared for Plant but as a result of he confirmed a special gear that he can really take it to you within the McCumby battle. I hadn’t seen that aspect of Plant both. He’s a terrific boxer, however Plant has a canine in him as effectively,” mentioned Malignaggi.
Berlanga’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, already hinted that they’re going to provide him a comfortable opponent subsequent in New York or Puerto Rico in early 2025. Hearn says he desires Berlanga to battle Munguia, Caleb Plant, or Jermall Charlo. Berlanga has different concepts. He desires to battle for the IBF title towards the winner of the William Scull vs. Vladimir Shishkin battle. Nevertheless, Berlanga won’t concentrate on the IBF’s 10-lb rehydration restrict. It will be close to unimaginable for Berlanga to battle for the IBF belt if he’s rehydrating to 193 lbs.
“I’d wish to see Berlanga towards a hungry fighter like Mbilli, like Pacheco. It’s time for us to see if Berlanga has that rage. I didn’t see that killer intuition within the Canelo battle. I noticed a man that was completely satisfied to outlive the space and by no means attempt to win the battle. I have to see if he has the killer inside. Not towards the journeymen of the world. Can he mentally received to that place towards high-caliber opposition? He’s not proven that to me but, not even towards Canelo,” mentioned Malignaggi.
The New Yorker Berlanga had by no means crushed a world-class-level opponent to get the title shot towards Canelo within the first place. The Eddie Hearn-promoted Berlanga received the title shot towards Canelo by beating UK domestic-level fighters Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory.
It was disturbing that the World Boxing Affiliation gave Berlanga a #1 rating after beating these two lesser fighters. If the game had been working proper, Berlanga ought to have at the very least needed to beat somebody like Diego Pacheco, Osleys Inglesias, Christian Mbilli, or Jaime Munguia to get a #1 rating with the WBA.
