Edgar Berlanga Consecutively Beats Jason Quigley, Wins Over The Hometown New York City Crowd.

By: Sean Crose

Boxing returned to the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night as Edgar Berlanga and Jason Quigley topped a DAZN broadcast card. With the WBO super middleweight title at stake, each boxer has much to prove in the 12 scheduled rounds. Brooklyn’s 20-0 Berlanga wants to prove he’s really as good as advertised while Ireland’s Quigley 20-2 looks set to rattle the fighting world with an unease.

The defending champion Berlanga may have been taken aback by Quigley’s belligerence the first time around. It’s not that Berlanga doesn’t have good shots of its own. Quigley continued to effectively avoid Berlanga in the second round, though neither of them did anything remarkable. Making good use of his stab, Quigley was even able to claim a third win. However, in recognition of his merit, Berlanga did not show disappointment. His patience paid off, as he knocked Quigley out late in the round. The Irishman got to his feet, but the tempo changed immediately.

The fourth round was fast-paced and close, but the stronger Berlanga could have taken the lead. At the start of the fifth round, Berlanga began to beat Quigley. By the middle of the round, the challenger’s face was covered in blood. Quigley fell again at the end of the fifth inning. It was suspected that it was a knock-out match, but Quigley was able to stand his ground again. However, the tide is clearly leaning in Berlanga’s favor.

With that being said, Quigley went on to keep his man in the sixth installment. The seventh round ended with both fighters looking good and having their moments. Game eight essentially showed more of the same: Quigley maintained the distance and Berlanga pursued. By day nine, it became clear that Berlanga’s patience could cost him. What if he can’t stop the challenger? Is the champion doing well enough on the cards? Season ten may have given Berlanga some breathing space, as Quigley began to appear less active than before.

With that in mind, the eleventh day is near. Indeed, it looks like it could be anyone’s fight. Berlanga really wanted to finish the game, but Quigley was still too slippery in the twelfth… until a thunderous punch from Berlanga brought Quigley back into the ring. Again, Quigley rose to his feet, but this time there was no doubt that Berlanga had shaken his men. With less than a minute left, Quigley descended again. He got up again, but it was a dumb spot at best.

The decision rests with Berlanga, and rightfully so.