Edgar Berlanga won 16 straight fights via first-round knockouts to start his career. But after Berlanga won five straight decisions, many questioned where Berlanga’s influence had gone.
Berlanga, a 26-year old American professional boxer, however, reminded everyone of his fireworks-producing abilities in the most important match of his professional career. Saturday night at the Caribe Royal in Orlando, Florida, the 26-year-old returned to his former glory as a knockout artist, destroying Padraig McCrory with a sixth-round TKO thanks to a looping overhand right.
Following the victory, Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) was mandated by the WBA to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight title.
“I want him now. We want Canelo next. Look at Eddie (Hearn) right there. He’s going to make it happen,” said Berlanga in media reports.
Prior to the super-middleweight match in Florida, promoter Hearn had hinted that the winner would be guaranteed a fight with the Mexican superstar in May.
It was a big prize, especially since Alvarez is one of the top boxers in the world, and McCrory, 35, made it obvious what he wanted from the fight in a strong first round. In the second round, Berlanga began to gain some ring control and connected with left hooks once he found his rhythm and range.
In an exciting third round where Berlanga was cautioned for using his elbow and McCrory(18-1, 9KOs) from the United Kingdom, countered some right hooks with his own effort, it seemed to have given both men a new lease on life. However, Berlanga seized the next round by storm, landing a left hook that gave McCrory no doubts about the American’s punching ability.
In the fifth round, Berlanga did not improve on his previous performance, but he did run afoul of the referee once more—this time for a low hit.
In the sixth, Berlanga repeatedly used his right hand to find a home. He then used the same hand to blast McCrory against the ropes and destroy the Irishman onto the canvas. Despite McCrory’s superior count, the bout was stopped by the referee as McCrory’s corner was about to give up, ensuring Berlanga’s commanding victory.
“I knew already I was breaking him down little by little. I didn’t want to go crazy until I knew I had him hurt and that’s exactly what I did,” said Berlanga.
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