Edgar Berlanga arrived shirtless at the New York press conference to announce his September 14 fight in Las Vegas with Canelo Alvarez, and spoke with ambition to win and disdain for the critics who have slammed his opportunity.
The New York challenger for the WBC, WBO and WBA super-middleweight belts admitted he could see the negativity around his shot, but said he would do the best to make the most of his chance at the T-Mobile Arena.
“There’s a lot of doubt out there, and a lot of hate,” Berlanga said. “But I’ve been facing adversity. I’ve been facing hate all my life. This is my opportunity to become a great champion, but also be legendary in the sport of boxing. It’s going to be something amazing. Puerto Rico versus Mexico, that’s the biggest rivalry in boxing.
“I’ve always been overlooked. Even if I had a world title I would be overlooked. When I first turned pro, no promoter wanted to sign me and I had to go there, dig my feet deep in the ground and work and knock people out. And I started knocking people out in the first round and that’s when people started wanting to sign me.”
Berlanga, 22-0 (17 KOs), having then gone the distance in five straight fights, stopped Irishman Padraig McCrory in Orlando in February.
The 27-year-old said he’d been dreaming of a fight like this and that he’d manifested getting the Canelo bout.
“A lot of people are talking shit, saying I’m fighting cab drivers, now I’m fighting a legend, they say I’m going to get knocked the fuck out, you never win,” Berlanga added. “So I just put my head down, keep working, stay humble and just turn up.”
Berlanga’s resolve has been stiffened by the critics and he knows he’s not the popular choice. That would have been David Benavidez who, frustrated by his inability to land a fight with the 61-2-2 (39 KOs) Mexican superstar Canelo, has moved north to 175lbs.
“I don’t wanna hear Benavidez. Fuck Benavidez,” Berlanga continued. “Shout out to [Terence] Crawford, they keep mentioning Crawford [for Canelo]. He fought a ’54-pounder [Israil Madrimov], it was a tough fight, we’ve got business to handle September 14th, a lot of people keep mentioning Benavidez and all these guys, y’all know it’s not going to happen. That’s just that. September 14 I’ve got Canelo. Puerto Rico against Mexico.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn signed Berlanga 13 months ago and promised he would deliver him Canelo. The Mexican’s recent marriage to PBC, which now spans three consecutive contests, made that less likely, but the opposing teams managed to get the deal done.
Hearn called the Canelo fight “the lottery ticket of boxing.”
“This isn’t just about winning the lottery, this is about paying in the ticket, and Edgar Berlanga is here only to win,” said Hearn.
“This kid has a big set of kahones and will put everything on the line on September 14. I know Canelo Alvarez wants real fights, guys that will come to him, to win. This guy won’t dance around the ring. He won’t try to survive for 12 rounds. He will come for a firefight with Canelo Alvarez. And yes, it is Puerto Rico versus Mexico but it’s deeper than that. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Edgar and his father. He’s dedicated his life to the sport and I promise you, he will give every inch of his soul in Las Vegas.
“This guy is here to dethrone the king.”
Berlanga’s influential manager Keith Connolly added: “Edgar’s got bombs in his hands and I expect him to shock the world on September 14th.”
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