Edgar Berlanga’s relentless pursuit of a fight against boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez has left fans divided and frustrated. His recent antics on social media, including singing Mexican songs, wearing a sombrero, and kissing the Mexican flag, have been seen as a desperate attempt to secure a lucrative payday against Canelo in September. What irks fans the most is the fact that Berlanga has managed to climb to the #1 WBA mandatory spot at 168 pounds without facing any significant opposition.
While Berlanga boasts an impressive record of 22-0 with 17 knockouts, his rise to the top has been carefully orchestrated by his promoters. His early fights were carefully matched against weak opponents, allowing him to maintain a perfect knockout streak. However, when faced with more challenging competition, Berlanga struggled to replicate his early success, and his knockout streak came to an abrupt end.
Berlanga’s decision to leave his former promoters at Top Rank and sign with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing raised eyebrows within the boxing community. Hearn’s explicit desire to fast-track Berlanga to a showdown with Canelo has only fueled speculation about the legitimacy of Berlanga’s #1 ranking with the WBA. Despite securing victories in his two fights under the Matchroom banner, Berlanga’s path to a potential fight with Canelo has been met with skepticism and criticism from fans and experts alike.
Dismissing Other Contenders
When asked about his intentions to fight Canelo Alvarez, Berlanga dismissed the possibility of facing other contenders in the division, such as Caleb Plant. His laser focus on securing a fight against Canelo has raised concerns about his readiness to face a fighter of Canelo’s caliber. Trainers and experts have questioned Berlanga’s rapid ascent to the top without facing former world champions or engaging in competitive 50-50 fights.
According to trainer Stephen Edwards, Berlanga’s rise to the #1 spot with the WBA is indicative of a lack of confidence from his handlers. By carefully selecting his opponents and avoiding potentially risky matchups, Berlanga’s team appears to be protecting their investment in the hopes of cashing out with a lucrative fight against Canelo. The strategic matchmaking and calculated moves to position Berlanga for a showdown with Canelo have not gone unnoticed by boxing insiders and fans who are quick to criticize his approach.
A Questionable Strategy
Critics have pointed out the selective matchmaking by promoter Eddie Hearn, who has strategically avoided pitting Berlanga against certain fighters within his stable, such as Diego Pacheco. This deliberate avoidance of potentially tough opponents in favor of easier matchups like Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory has raised doubts about Berlanga’s true readiness for a fight against an elite boxer like Canelo.
While Berlanga’s talent in the ring is undeniable, the manner in which he has been maneuvered to the top of the rankings without facing significant challenges has triggered backlash from the boxing community. The pattern of building up Berlanga for a lucrative payday against Canelo rather than focusing on his development as a fighter has been scrutinized by experts and fans alike. Berlanga’s relentless pursuit of Canelo may ultimately come at the cost of his credibility as a legitimate contender in the sport of boxing.