Edgar Berlanga begins a new chapter of his career against Jason Quigley at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday in New York City.
The 168-pound contender is returning from a one-year hiatus and with a new promoter, Matchroom Boxing, as he embarks on what he hopes is his final push to get a shot at a major world title.
Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) is from Brooklyn, meaning he’ll be fighting in front of his hometown fans.
“It’s a big night on Saturday,” he said. “It’s been a year layoff, we’re home with a new promoter, and I am ready to perform.”
Berlanga caused a sensation by stopping his first 16 opponents in the first round, giving him a reputation as a knockout artist.
However, his last four opponents have taken him the distance, including close fights against Marcelo Coceres (who put Berlanga down) in October 2021 and Steve Rolls in March of last year in his first scheduled 10-round bouts.
He last faced Roamer Alexis Angulo, whom he easily outpointed. He was suspended for six months afterward for biting Angulo during their fight.
Berlanga then left Top Rank in January, after which he signed with Matchroom. He reportedly made the latter move in part to land what would be a lucrative fight with champion Canelo Alvarez, who also works with Matchroom.
He said he doesn’t feel added pressure to make a strong statement. And he insists he isn’t taking Quigley (28-2, 14 KOs) lightly.
“Other people are trying to say Jason is an easy fight,” he said, “but I know it’s a difficult fight. We’ve prepared well for that. He’s not going to stand in the middle of the ring. We’ve been prepping well for him.
“I have a lot of respect for him and his team, but we’re going to handle business.”
If he’s successful, he expects to move on to more important fights.
“For me there are bigger fish out there,” he said, “the GGGs (Gennadiy Golovkin), the (Jermall) Charlo’s, these are the guys I want to get in the ring with. I feel I am ready and seasoned to get in with them.
“But I must beat the s— out of Jason Quigley this weekend. That’s what it is.”
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