Four knockdowns go a long way.
Super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga was frustrated by the movement of Jason Quigley for much of their 12-round bout Saturday in New York City.
However, he outworked his opponent and sent him to the canvas once in Rounds 3 and 5 and two more times in the final round, which left no doubt about who would have his hand raised.
A HUGE FINAL ROUND FROM EDGAR BERLANGA 🔥#BerlangaQuigley pic.twitter.com/p6fpKLkvWe
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 25, 2023
Berlanga won a unanimous decision by scores of 118-106, 116-108 and 116-108. Boxing Junke also had Berlanga winning, 115-109.
Quigley (20-3, 14 KOs) turned in one of the best performances of his career, countering Berlanga’s aggression by sticking and moving from beginning to end.
The Irishman even managed to land some of the hardest punches of the fight, including a left hook that buckled Berlanga’s knees in Round 7.
In the end, though, Berlanga maintained the pressure, threw more punches than Quigley and collected the knockdowns that clinched the victory the hometown fighter.
The 12th round was brutal, as Berlanga, seeking a knockout, put Quigley down with a perfect straight right and then later forced him to take a knee.
However, Berlanga couldn’t finish the job for the fifth consecutive fight after knocking out his first 16 opponents in the first round.
“That last round is how we’re going to start every fight in the first round for now on,” Berlanga said.
Berlanga is now in his strongest position yet to get a truly big fight. Afterward, he and promoter Eddie Hearn suggested that a showdown with fellow slugger Jaime Munguia.
If the fighters’ handlers can make that fight, Berlanga won’t have to do any chasing.