Edgar Berlanga got back to being a knockout artist on Saturday in Orlando, Florida.
The 168-pound contender, who stopped his first 15 opponents in the first round and outpointed his next five, stopped Padraig McCrory with one punch in the sixth round at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs) is now the No. 1 contender for undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez’s WBA title.
DOWN GOES MCCRORY AND IT’S OVER 🔥🔥🔥
Sixth round KO 💣#BerlangaMcCrory | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/ywvdpFoSE9
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 25, 2024
“I want him now,” Berlanga said in the ring afterward. “We want Canelo next. Look at [promoter] Eddie [Hearn] right there. He’s going to make it happen.”
McCrory (18-1, 9 KOs) fought Berlanga on roughly even terms the first few rounds. However, by Round 3, Berlanga had initiated the process of breaking down his Irish opponent.
He was battering McCrory in Round 6 with an overhand right put him down and hurt him. McCrory was able to get to his feet but was in no condition to continue, prompting both his corner and referee to indicate that enough was enough.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:44 of Round 6.
“I knew already I was breaking him down little by little,” Berlanga said. “I didn’t want to go crazy until I knew I had him hurt and that’s exactly what I did.”
Alvarez is expected to fight next on May 4 but he hasn’t announced an opponent, although fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia now seems to be the favorite to get lucrative opportunity.
Berlanga has said he’s willing to take that fight on relatively short notice if Alvarez decides to choose him.
