Edgar Berlanga, who sports a pristine 23-0 record with 18 of those victories by knockout, recently scored a first-round KO against Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz in Orlando, Florida. However, he’s putting aside any thoughts of a face-off with Caleb Plant for now.
Fresh off his win and full of ambitions, Edgar shared his wish list in the post-fight interview at the Caribe Royale. He’s eager to take on Jaime Munguia, Jermall Charlo, and even hopes for a shot at Canelo Alvarez again. Realistically, while Munguia and Charlo could be on the cards, a Canelo rematch seems far-fetched.
It makes sense why Berlanga would want another bout with Canelo—it came with a hefty $10 million paycheck the first time around, a career and life-changing sum. He’s aware nothing else in the pipeline will reach those financial heights, and the chances are slim of him overtaking the leaders in the 168 or 175 weight classes. In his eyes, he’s like a modern Cinderella dreaming of another night at the ball, but the reality just doesn’t match up.
Sure, Berlanga looked sharp in his recent fight, but his opponent, a 35-year-old returning after a decade-long break, wasn’t exactly top-tier. Even during his active years, Gonzalez-Ortiz was never a force to reckon with, as seen back in his 2012 match against Serhiy Dzinziruk. Edgar shone, not because of an impressive feat, but because his rival was outmatched from the start.
As for Canelo? Edgar shouldn’t hold his breath for a rematch. Their last encounter was a near whitewash, leaving Berlanga struggling just to last the rounds. With retirement on Canelo’s horizon, he’s unlikely to revisit old matches that don’t promise substantial gains. Instead, Alvarez will probably pursue lucrative bouts dictated by Turki Alalshikh.
Berlanga, despite his considerable size, shows no interest in moving up to 175 pounds but is gunning for fights with Munguia or Charlo. When questions arose about facing former IBF super middleweight champ Plant, Berlanga made his feelings clear: "F*** Plant." His focus remains firmly on his preferred opponents.
Now, let’s talk about Jermall Charlo. At 34, Charlo’s recent activity has been sparse, with only one bout in four years, taking on former welterweight contender Jose Benavidez Jr. in 2023. A clash between Berlanga and Charlo might not generate the PPV buzz or financial returns Edgar hopes for. Charlo’s once-thriving career momentum from 2018 to 2021 has dwindled due to inactivity.
In a candid interview with iFL TV, Berlanga mentioned the love he receives from PBC, claiming their appreciation for his marketability from the Canelo encounter. He feels ready to perform alongside the best, stating, "F*** Caleb Plant. We want Jaime Munguia. We want Jermall Charlo." He seemed unfazed as he moves beyond his win against Gonzalez-Ortiz, swiftly eyeing his next challenge.
In the world of boxing, ambitions run high and dreams of big names dance in the fighters’ eyes. Whether Edgar Berlanga’s aspirations come to fruition remains to be seen, but his determination is undoubtedly unwavering.
