By: Hans Themistode
Edgar Berlanga was not satisfied with his previous performance in the ring. For the first time in his young career, Berlanga not only failed to defeat his opponent, but also fell directly into the frame. With the 24-year-old forced to undergo surgery afterward to repair a torn left bicep, he promises to return to a much better boxer. However, despite his promises, Berlanga isn’t the terrible knockout that many have judged him to be.
Though normally ferocious, Berlanga appears lethargic and much more formal at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater. He raised his hands high and tried to bring Rolls down. Not wanting to engage in a shootout with his much younger and stronger opponent, Rolls closed the crate and moved outside while ramming Berlanga in the head with a continuous stab.
The confused Berlanga clearly tried to use the same tactic in the second half. However, as Rolls continued to bounce on the ring, Berlanga threw up his arms in frustration. However, despite begging his man to go to the center of the ring and throw down with him, Rolls opted to box.
Rolls continued its momentum for most of the third inning. He jumped, moved, and landed stabs repeatedly through the third and fourth innings. Rarely does Berlanga push his own jab into his man’s face, though his angle urges him to do so.
In the fifth round, Berlanga increased his aggression. He pinned Rolls to the ropes and landed with two lightning-quick shots. Even when Rolls seemed unsteady, Berlanga refused to let go. Instead, to the outrage of the New York crowd, Berlanga stepped back and let Rolls return to the center of the ring.
Though Berlanga’s hometown crowd cheered him on at first, they booed incessantly when their normally malignant knockout refused to join the bout.
In season eight, Rolls stood firm. He meets Berlanga in the center of the ring and connects with a clean three-punch combination. Although Berlanga’s aggression was few and far between, his engine was running at a high level in the final two innings.
Regardless of its attempt to get back to the knockouts, Rolls managed to avoid any too big of a blow from Berlanga while making it to the final ring. In the end, despite his somewhat lackluster performance, Berlanga kept his impeccable record intact, winning the decisive finale.
