It is Edgar Berlanga’s first fight with Matchroom Boxing since leaving his original promoter, Top Rank Inc., as he returns June 24th, against Jason Quigley, live on DAZN, from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Berlanga became a break-out star during the COVID-19 pandemic as he fought many times during the Top Rank bubble his incredible sixteen-fight first-round knockout streak made a lot of people look at him, point their index finger at a television screen and say out loud ‘who is this guy?’
Berlanga checks the boxes of a star and has had some memorable moments inside the ring. As he is set to make his debut with Matchroom Boxing.
Let’s look at some of the notable moments from Berlanga’s career
Sixteen First-Round KOs
The thing many people leave out when speaking about Edgar Berlanga is his true greatness. If Berlanga wasn’t great we wouldn’t say his name. He is a main event fighter, based on the fact that he knocked out sixteen people in the first round. People can downplay this achievement, but fighters like Ulisses Sierra and Eric Moon are tough regional fighters.
Something about Berlanga is different. The power early on sounded more thudding. The way he behaved like a main event fighter, even when fighting low on the card. Berlanga felt to be the next great New York fighter, but not unlike athletes who have tried to be the next great New Yorker, Carmelo Anthony, and Amare Stoudemire come to mind, it isn’t all that easy to make it to the top in New York.
Berlanga will forever be a piece of boxing trivia for his early career greatness, now the question is; will his career be a fun fact, or a prelude to a world championship career?
Turning Into Mr.T
After knocking out Ulises Sierra, Berlanga began to transition into his chain phase as Berlanga began to mirror Mr.T a bit. Though Jermell Charlo is the king of rocking the Mr. T glasses, Berlanga sports a slew of chains around his neck that would make Mr. T quite proud.
Prior to his first fight that went to a decision against Desmond Nicholson, Berlanga seemingly unveiled this look. It could have been prior, but this was the first time it was memorable as it was towards the end of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Berlanga isn’t always substance, but neither is high fashion. Berlanga from the way he fights is flashy, and attention-seeking, that is probably as writers why we are so drawn to him for better or worse. While many fighters look to be anonymous or simply move up the ranks, Berlanga wanted to be a superstar well before he was a superstar.
Once Berlanga started wearing a plethora of chains it did seem that his performance declined, but who knows if that is a cause and effect or if the competition simply changed a bit at that time.
Berlanga though is evolving into an entertainer more than a boxer, and at this point in his career, it seemed that was a pivotal moment for him to go all in on what he felt was best for him. Creating an image that was just as loud as his performances in the ring.
The Environment Of His Fights
Rarely do undercard fighters stand out the way Edgar Berlanga did. With Fat Joe walking him to the ring performing ‘Lean Back’, often the entrance to his fight would last longer than the fight itself. Despite what many might think, something was magically about Berlanga early in his career, as it seemed like matchmakers were trying to find guys to go rounds with him, but his confidence was too high and people were slowly looking at him as Godzilla.
Berlanga despite being a fighter that had never fought for a title or even in the upper level of the division, was carrying an aura that fighters like Manny Pacquiao had in their prime. This aura has now carried over to the crowds of his fights as famous New York City personalities can be spotted at his fights. Berlanga’s fights are social gatherings and events for people who often don’t watch boxing.
Though you can criticize Berlanga as he moves up the ranks and struggles against world-class opposition, you can not criticize his ability to connect with his fanbase as Berlanga has a group of people who he has fight style that appeases them. It seems to be a simple sell, ‘you want to see KO? Come see Berlanga fight’.
With his recent, highs-and-lows in the ring, we often forget just how great of a start to a career Berlanga had, and that is why he has venues more lively than world champion boxers.
Leaving Top Rank
This a bold move as Top Rank Inc. is known for its world-class developmental system. Earlier this year, Berlanga opted to leave Top Rank Inc. to forge his own path in the sport. After a well-publicized few weeks of him taking photos with promoters and such, Berlanga signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
The duo seems like a great fit, as they are both entertainers. Hearn loves to put on a show and be cordial to the media and Berlanga appears to be someone who views himself as an entertainer more so than just a sports figure. As Berlanga is closer to Odell Beckham Jr. than he is to Terence Crawford. Berlanga is the unapologetic New York athlete that can only be birthed in New York.
Moving over to work with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom is the next notable feat in his career, as it appears Matchroom Boxing views him as a marquee star, and someone they will promote tentpole events around.
This fight seemingly will dictate the trajectory and future of Berlanga’s career.
