EDGAR BERGLANGA believes he is as good as other super-middleweight contenders who have been linked to a fight against Canelo Alvarez.
The 26-year-old has not fought in 12 months but returns on June 24 against Ireland’s Jason Quigley at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York. It will be Berlanga’s third consecutive fight there having had two inside the main venue earlier in his career. Born in Brooklyn but with Puerto Rican heritage the Felix Trinidad fan is attempting to become an MSG attraction just like national hero Miguel Cotto did from 2005 until his final fight in 2017 against Sadam Ali.
In January Berlanga became a free agent after both he and Top Rank parted ways. One month later he signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. June 24 marks Berlanga’s debut for the British promotional company.
A win against Quigley may increase the noise from both the fighter and his team for a fight against Canelo. However, the Mexican is said to be finalising a bout against cruiserweight belt holder Badou Jack later this year in Saudi Arabia.
Canelo is frequently linked to fights against many names but had hoped to rematch Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight in September. With that seemingly gone his team led by his trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso have looked to a new division to add to their accolades.
Should the Guadalajara native defeat Jack then the holder of all four belts at 168lbs would have to drop a significant number of pounds to fight again at super-middleweight.
Rivals David Benavidez and David Morrell could be future opponents for Canelo or indeed be the man to take over the division. Berlanga told Boxing News he sees himself on a par with the two David’s.
“I think I’m there with them. I’m think I’m there with all the top guys. I feel like I’m at that level now. They’re already talking about me, and these are money fights too. It’s the fights that makes sense, fighters with countries behind them too. I’m in a position now where I gotta stay focused, stay dedicated, give my life to boxing like what I did this past year. Just execute.”
Top ten super-middleweight contender John Ryder fought Canelo on May 6 in a Guadalajara homecoming for the 32-year-old. The Briton’s admirable efforts and courage were outdone by the Mexican’s superior skillset. An early night for Ryder had been predicted but ‘The Gorilla’ survived to hear the final bell.
“I think John Ryder could have did more,” Berlanga said.
“If he did more the outcome would have been a little different. I knew he was gonna lose. Canelo’s a bigger fighter, bigger puncher. On the performance with Canelo I seen a little decline but he’s still who he is. He’s still the king at the 168 division.”
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