By Oscar Decide
EDGAR Berlanga will enter the lion’s den when he locks horns with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in a bid to safe super-middleweight supremacy this Saturday.
The largely unproven puncher is predicted to step up a number of ranges to finish what most would take into account to be an insurmountable job.
And but, the 27-year-old has refused to point out his extensively revered opponent an oz. of respect, taking many unexpectedly together with his belligerent method to the battle.
However then once more, it’s inconceivable to foretell what bearing this perspective – or quite this facade, as some might opine – could have on the results of his first world title showdown.
Edgar Berlanga’s story to date
Following his skilled debut again in 2016, Berlanga made a reputation for himself by amassing 16 consecutive first-round stoppages, closing in on the world file of 21.
This file, because it occurs, was set by Ali Raymi, a ferocious Yemeni minimumweight who remained unbeaten all through his temporary profession, halting each man he stepped into the ring with.
Berlanga was unable to surpass the coveted accolade, although, because it was Demond Nicholson who, regardless of having been stopped and floored a number of occasions earlier than, took him the gap of their eight-round contest.
It may very well be mentioned that, from this second, the Puerto Rican’s mystique had begun to decrease as a result of, in some ways, the first-round stoppages had turn out to be his distinctive promoting level.
With out them, he was merely one other undefeated prospect climbing up the ranks, and whereas all 16 finishes had come in opposition to, nicely, restricted opposition, to say the least, they nonetheless added worth to a fighter who might have in any other case struggled to bolster his profile.
And, certain sufficient, the prolific knockout artist was capable of progress quickly, shoehorning his approach right into a slot on the undercard of the blockbuster trilogy between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in 2021.
However, in what was speculated to be a showcase efficiency at one of many most-watched sporting occasions of the 12 months, Berlanga was, as a substitute, pressured to beat an surprising intestine verify when he bought dropped within the ninth by Marcelo Coceres, a rugged Argentinian who is probably greatest recognized for giving an ill-prepared and sluggish Billy Joe Saunders a comparatively robust evening’s work.
Mikey Williams/Prime Rank
With one other factors victory underneath his belt, then, it was time for the extremely touted super-middleweight to headline his first present.
And so the stage was set at Madison Sq. Backyard’s Hulu Theatre for Berlanga, a Brooklyn-born bruiser, to placed on a scintillating efficiency in entrance of his dwelling followers.
Alas, his conflict with Steve Rolls ended, as soon as once more, with each combatants listening to the ultimate bell, resulting in followers questioning whether or not his photographs can ship the identical influence when he steps up in ranges – as in, does he actually carry the required energy to inflict harm upon any fighter hovering in and world wide scene?
These criticisms solely enhanced after Berlanga’s subsequent outing, when he not solely laboured to a different unanimous determination win but additionally obtained a six-month suspension and $10,000 superb for trying to chew his opponent, Alexis Angulo, throughout their bout.
However then, after serving his pretty lenient punishment, the ‘Chosen One’ demonstrated an actual impetus to get his profession again on monitor by signing a multi-fight promotional take care of Matchroom Boxing.
In truth, it felt as if this was a brand new starting for Berlanga, who returned to the ring in opposition to Jason Quigley wanting like his regular, harmful self once more, sending the courageous Irishman crashing all the way down to the canvas 4 occasions throughout their 12-round contest.
And his first stoppage in additional than three years arrived shortly after, as his dominant show over Padraig McCrory, one other Celt, reminded followers that he is without doubt one of the most harmful operators at 168 lbs.
Nonetheless, it’s but to be seen whether or not the New Yorker’s energy may be as efficient on the elite degree, which is, in any case, the place his subsequent opponent has paraded for greater than a decade.
