Have you heard the latest buzz surrounding Edgar Berlanga? He’s stepping into the ring this Saturday, March 15th, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando - but not in the headliner spot. Instead, he’s on the undercard, opening the door for a much-talked-about (and somewhat bitter) farewell from Matchroom. The main event is actually Austin Williams vs. Patrice Volny, leaving Berlanga feeling sidelined from the spotlight he believes he deserves.
Berlanga claims this wasn’t the original plan. He wanted to headline a March 8th show in Puerto Rico, but contract extensions and promotional clauses from Eddie Hearn got in the way. Now, Berlanga is betting on his upcoming free agency, fully convinced that major networks and promoters will clamor to sign him. He’s openly talking about “mega-fights” against names like Jaime Munguia, Caleb Plant, or Jermall Charlo. Some insiders suggest Berlanga’s confidence might be bigger than his résumé, but only time will tell.
There’s no denying Berlanga’s popularity with fans in New York and Puerto Rico, especially after that high-profile clash with Canelo Alvarez last year. According to rumors, he earned a hefty payday - some say upwards of $10 million - for that fight. Berlanga insists he’s a “superstar,” capable of drawing huge crowds wherever he goes. But critics argue that his track record against top-tier opponents is limited and that the jump from raw power puncher to genuine star still needs more proof in the ring.
Whatever happens, Saturday’s bout against Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz will be crucial for Berlanga. If he wants to secure those massive deals in free agency, he’ll need to impress. Plenty of potential promoters are watching to see if he can back up his talk under the bright lights. Win convincingly, and maybe the “superstar” hype goes mainstream. Struggle or lose, and his free agency dreams might be a tougher sell.
Get to know more about the bout here.
Image Credit: Sky Sports