Via Dan Ambrose: The super-middleweight contender has yet to beat 167.4-pound Edgar Berlanga (18-0, 16 KOs) Friday for a 10-round header against Steve Rolls (21-1, 12 KOs) for their bout. on Saturday, March 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
For its part, the 37-year-old Rolls Canada weighs in at 167.8 lbs. Battle cards will be shown on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.
Berlanga, 24, will fight for the first time since his last 10th round unanimous win over Marcelo Esteban Coceres last October in Las Vegas.
It was a match where the Highest promoted Berlanga was dropped in the ninth round and received punishment from an opponent that should have been an easy mark.
Berlanga suffered a laceration to his biceps during a match against Coceres, which helped him placate some of the criticism from boxing fans. If it weren’t for that injury, Berlanga would have had no excuse for his performance, which is nothing short of good.
The goal that Berlanga has is to get some more wins and then challenge Canelo Alvarez.
It would be good for fans if Berlanga faces a real test before he takes on Canelo as he has yet to beat anyone notable to deserve such a fight. The sport doesn’t need many boxers going head-to-head with fluff to build a fake record so they can cash in on Canelo.
Berlanga is excited about the big promotion at MSG
Berlanga excited about MSG title
“He was going into the shoot. All the shots he landed on GGG was because GGG wanted to take him down and that’s what he did,” Berlanga said of Steve Rolls’ fight against Gennadiy Golovkin in 2019.
Weighing results between Berlanga and Rolls undercard:
- Xander Zayas 152.6 lbs vs Quincy LaVallais 152.6 lbs
- John Bauza 140.2 lbs vs. Tony Luis 140.8 lbs
- Jahi Tucker 147.8 lbs vs Tracey McGruder 147.8 lbs
- Henry Lebron 130.6 lbs vs Josec Ruiz 130.4 lbs
- Bruce Carrington 129.8 lbs vs. Yeuri Andujar 129.6 lbs
- Armani Almestica 139.2 lbs vs. Luis Valentin Portalatin 140.2 lbs
- Kelvin Davis 143.6 lbs vs. Phillip Carmouche 144.8 lbs
“Surprise. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid, watching Miguel Cotto,” Berlanga said when asked what it means to him to be in the spotlight at MSG on Saturday.
“Here at the Garden, I watched Cotto as he fought Zab Judah and sold out the arena. Soon we’ll be making headlines there. I’m just glad we’re doing it.
“I enter an area where I block everything. Nothing matters to me anymore. The only thing that matters is the fight and winning. I try to block all BSs. People try calling my phone. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I just want to focus and get the win.
Losing is not an option
“It was paramount when asked how important he was to get the win,” said Berlanga. “I’m still not at the top compared to Canelos and Floyd Mayweathers, when you get to that level and you get an L you can go back and fight a big fight.
“For now, everything counts; I’m young. So I get an L like I go backwards, I go down, and then I have to start all over again and make a name for myself again and prove to the critics and prove to the critics. promotion and something else.
“I don’t want to not receive Ls. I’m looking to win the trendy way and then win.
“It was a big war. He’s fighting Bivol from Russia, he’s crazy, especially since he’s from 140 and 147, and now he’s 175,” Berlanga said when asked about the May 7 fight. between WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and Canelo Alvarez.
“I knew he wanted to make history,” Berlanga continued of Canelo. “He’s Mexican, you know? He is Latin. I’m cheering for him in that fight. I don’t see a stop.
“I see it coming to a decision. I saw him boxing him. Bivol is a big guy, he’s a big guy and can punch, and I know Canelo will use his Ps and Q for that fight.
Edgar wants Canelo & Benavidez to fight
Berlanga said when asked if he would like to fight David Benavidez.
“The promotion and the business have to match, and I have to hit a few more games, a few more innings. He’s been at that peak so many times, so I just have to maneuver my way and get it. that experience, and the fight can be made.
Berlanga on Nico Ali Walsh: “Oh yeah, he’s a great fighter. “He doesn’t have a lot of amateur experience, but he is learning and used to go to the gym with me.
“He pissed me off a few times and got better and better. He is a humble kid and is learning every day.
“Benavidez, Canelo, people who have their country behind them,” Berlanga said when asked who he wants to fight with in the future. That’s where the money lives. Berlanga said.
