Edgar Berlanga believes he brings extra to the desk in a battle in opposition to Canelo Alvarez in September than every other fighter the Mexican star has fought.
Berlanga (22-0, 17KOs) is just not quick on confidence like many East Coast fighters. Followers see this as a sick mismatch for Canelo and are alarmed that he would select to face the unproven WBA obligatory.
The Tune-Up Combat
Canelo hasn’t but confirmed that he’ll battle Berlanga, 27, subsequent, however it’s believed he’ll be his tune-up opponent to get one final battle in earlier than he faces Terence Crawford within the first half of 2025.
Berlanga is okay for warm-up functions as a result of it offers Canelo an opportunity to take a break from combating high quality opposition to provide him a straightforward win earlier than he takes on Crawford.
What’s fascinating about Berlanga is how assured he’s for somebody who has been matched in opposition to tomato cans his total profession by his promoters at Prime Rank initially, and the custom carried on when Matchroom signed the New Yorker.
The Puerto Rico vs. Mexico Narrative
“He is aware of I’m about to make that bag, and we’re going to beat him,” stated Edgar Berlanga to Cigar Speak about his perception that he’s going to beat Canelo Alvarez in September.
Hopefully, this battle is greater than Berlanga getting “that bag” as a result of followers aren’t going to be enthusiastic about paying to see a mismatch if he doesn’t at the least make it fascinating.
Berlanga didn’t carry out effectively in his fights in opposition to Roamer Alexis Angulo, Marcelo Conceres, Steve Rolls, Jason Quigley, and Demond Nicholson.
Though Berlanga says Padraig McCrory is the perfect opponent he’s confronted, it’s laborious to take the 36-year-old Irish fighter severely as a result of his resume was empty of names, and he didn’t resemble a world-class fighter once they fought final February.
“It’s legacy for me. It’s Puerto Rico vs. Mexico. Everyone retains speaking about that battle. I really feel I received to get bugged out,” stated Berlanga. “Now, I really feel it’s time for me to go to that degree,” stated Berlanga when requested how he beats Canelo.”
Edgar feels he’s received to get “bugged out” to have an opportunity of beating Canelo. These are simply phrases.
A fighter both has that high quality about them, or they don’t. You don’t simply turn out to be loopy and fearless within the ring if you happen to haven’t been that manner your total profession. Preventing recklessly in opposition to Canelo isn’t sensible for Berlanga as a result of his protection is already poor, and his chin is lower than iron.
“I do know he [Canelo] fought large punchers and everyone, however I really feel with me, it’s one thing totally different. I’m going to deliver one thing totally different to the desk,” stated Berlanga.
This can be a step down for Canelo from his final battle in opposition to Jaime Munguia. He’s a significantly better fighter than Berlanga, however once more, it’s a tune-up for the Mexican star. It could have been higher if Berlanga had fought Munguia or Morrell to show himself worthy of a battle in opposition to Canelo reasonably than Padraig McCrory.
“I elevate with the competitors. My IQ goes by the roof. In my final battle, I knew somebody was coming to battle,” stated Berlanga about his win over little-known 36-year-old Irish fighter Padraig McCrory final February. “I knew he had knockout energy [50% KO rate].
“I knew he [McCrory] was my hardest fighter on my resume. So, I used to be already on level. I knew what sort of knockout I wanted to safe my spot to get within the ring with Canelo, and I did that,” stated Berlanga.
Berlanga has but to raise the competitors, so his remark about how he elevates his sport and IQ when he faces higher opposition is meaningless. If he had fought Morrell, then you could possibly say whether or not he steps up his sport or not.
Berlanga’s win over McCrory made him the obligatory for then WBA ‘common’ 168-lb champion David Morrell, however Edgar rejected that battle for apparent causes, selecting to attend for Canelo to bless him with a title shot. The Cuban expertise Morrell would have been a nightmare for Berlanga.
“That is going to be a distinct kind of magnitude this battle [Canelo]. I received the Puerto Ricans, I received the Russians, I received the Chinese language, I received the whites. I received everyone. I’m not simply with the Latin neighborhood. Clearly, it’s boxing, in order that they’re going to place Puerto Rico vs. Mexico,” stated Berlanga.
Hopefully, Berlanga will appeal to many followers to his battle in opposition to Canelo if he will get it. It’s laborious to consider that Berlanga has an enormous fan base in New York when he’s but to battle any cutting-edge competitors.
“I’m an enormous draw. I do know lots of people love knockouts, and that’s what I give,” stated Berlanga.
