By: Hans Themistode
Everything was going according to plan for Edgar Berlanga… until it didn’t.
The highly regarded super-middleweight prospect has made a name for himself thanks to his sheer strength, resulting in his first 16 contests ending in the first round. Though Berlanga’s streak ended against Demond Nicholson, he beat his senior by scoring multiple kills during the night.
However, in Berlanga’s most recent ring appearance, he found himself in the middle of a real fight. On October 9, 2021, Berlanga roamed the ring as a sizable favorite against Marcelo Esteban Coceres. Even with Berlanga dominating most of the action, Coceres still had his moments, including in the ninth minute, when he brought down a much younger opponent.
Shortly after Berlanga’s name was chanted in the winner’s circle, it was revealed that he had been fighting on a torn left biceps for several nights. Considering the severity of his injury and getting a taste of the scene for the first time in his young career, Berlanga expressed disappointment with himself. That said, as he prepares to rematch this Saturday night with Steve Rolls at Madison Square Garden, Berlanga is looking back on his trying time against Coceres with appreciation.
“I need that for my career,” Berlanga said in a recent press conference. “I need that adversity. Every boxer goes through that in their career. I knew I would get over that adversity because I broke my biceps in the third round and fought seven rounds like that, a lot of fighters would give up. How we captured it and now here we are and ready for Saturday. ”
Madison Square Garden represents a hot spot for Canadian Rolls. In his solitary voyage through those doors of fame, Rolls suffered the first and only loss of his career. In June 2019, Rolls was caught in the hands of Gennadiy Golovkin, unable to succumb to his morbid powers in the fourth round. Berlanga, of course, wanted nothing more than to overtake Golovkin and push Rolls into the streets of New York, courtesy of an early violent knockout.
However, while the usual Berlanga appeared polite before entering the ring, he did not make any bold statements. Instead, the 24-year-old can only hope to give the crowd something to cheer for.
“I don’t want to predict anything but he’s a tough veteran, he’s been there with the best. I just look forward to performing. Fireworks as always. ”
