By Sam Volz: Edgar Berlanga says he’s enthusiastic about doubtlessly combating for a world title subsequent yr in opposition to Canelo Alvarez.
Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) signed a three-fight cope with Matchroom Boxing, and promoter Eddie Hearn is placing him on the quick observe to problem undisputed tremendous middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez within the first quarter of 2024.
The earn the Canelo combat, the 25-year-old unbeaten tremendous middleweight contender Berlanga should “steamroll” Jason Quigley (20-2, 14 KOs) on June twenty fourth after which defeat a still-to-be-determined opponent in December.
Based on Hearn, that’s the powerful one for Berlanga. Shane Mosley Jr (19-4, 10 KOs) is the rumored opponent that Berlanga might be combating in December to earn the shot in opposition to Canelo. Mosley Jr seemed good lately, beating Gabe Rosado Jr.
You’ll be able to’t blame Hearn if he chooses to make it straightforward for Berlanga to get the Canelo combat as a result of he’s paying him some huge cash for his three-fight deal.
If Hearn have been to insist on Berlanga proving himself in opposition to high quality 168-pounders like David Benavidez, Caleb Plant, or David Morrell Jr, he’d possible don’t have anything to indicate for the cash he’s paying him as a result of these guys are clearly out of his league.
It will be fascinating if Canelo insisted on Berlanga proving himself like he insisted David Benavidez do. Benavidez lately beat Plant and nonetheless didn’t get the combat in opposition to Canelo.
If Berlanga will get a title shot in opposition to Canelo after beating Quigley and Mosley Jr, it is going to look apparent that the Mexican star is purposefully ducking Benavidez. A win over Plant is much extra significant than victories over Quigley and Mosley Jr.
“We’ve heard Eddie Hearn, your new promoter, say that he desires to place you on a pathway to face Canelo Alvarez sooner or later subsequent yr. How do you’re feeling about that? Do you’re feeling that’s the trail try to be taking?” mentioned Chris Mannix to the DAZN Boxing Present about Edgar Berlanga.
“Oh, after all. If it’s not that, then why ought to I be boxing?” mentioned Berlanga about him being in favor of a combat in opposition to Canelo after two fights this yr.
“All the blokes at 168 desire a shot at him, desire a crack at him, however me, I’ve a unique perspective. It’s not in regards to the cash. It’s in regards to the legacy and attending to that degree and profitable and presumably turning into the primary undisputed Puerto Rican male as a result of, clearly, my sister did it, Amanda Serrano. In order that’s one thing I’m trying ahead to,” mentioned Berlanga.
“Canelo is at all times about his future opponents displaying him one thing, incomes the chance to get a combat in opposition to him, whether or not it’s getting belts or via large performances. Do you’re feeling this yr is for sort of incomes that chance, displaying what you’ve received at 168?” mentioned Mannix.
“Most positively. My first opposition is Jason Quigley. I don’t wish to concentrate on the Canelo combat,” mentioned Berlanga. “It’s good to concentrate on that, however proper now, I’ve received to concentrate on June.
“I’ve received a yr layoff, so I’m simply trying ahead to placing on a spectacular efficiency and simply blowing the roof off the Hula Theater [at Madison Square Garden in New York],” mentioned Berlanga.
🗣 ‘If It is Not That (Battle), Why Ought to I Be Boxing’? – @EdgarBerlangaJr on a future combat with Canelo 🥊 pic.twitter.com/LZ8KbJGzp2
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 10, 2023
