Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga is currently completing his final week of fight preparation in his new training locale. After choosing to do his physical therapy in Las Vegas following bicep surgery, Berlanga and his team made the decision to remain in the boxing capitol of the world for their training camp ahead of his March 19 fight.
 
The choice to move his training camp base west has paid off for Berlanga as he prepares for his first main event, which will take place in his New York hometown. Throughout camp, he has enjoyed the easy access to all of the training facilities he and his team need to prepare for his March showdown with Steve Rolls at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Las Vegas and its mild winter climate have provided excellent training and preparation opportunities for Berlanga ranging from the UFC Performance Institute to the many mountain areas and outdoor spaces for running.
 
“I came out here to Vegas to get a different training environment and take everything to the next level, but also to do physical therapy on my bicep, which I tore in my last fight. The UFC PI is amazing, the physical therapy is just different. They’ve worked very well on my bicep and they got it back to 100 percent so I’m happy,” Berlanga said.
 
The 24-year-old learned a lot from his last outing on October 9, the toughest of his five-year professional career. Following a hard-fought victory in his 18th pro fight, Berlanga underwent surgery to repair a left bicep tear on October 20. He traveled to Las Vegas in November to begin physical therapy on his left arm and has been training in Sin City since that time.
 
In addition to the high-level facilities, Berlanga has benefitted from training alongside many elite fighters, some of whom he’s known since he was a young amateur.
 
“I love the environment here, being with top fighters such as Jared Anderson, Troy Isley, Duke Ragan, Kenneth Sims and Bruce Carrington (who will also compete on the March 19 card). These are the type of fighters and the gym environment I want to be around as I’m progressing in my career. If you’re doing something wrong, you’ve got your brothers around to tell you. They could be in the ring sparring, and I can pick up some of the things that they are doing," he said.
 
Berlanga has focused in on his boxing skills and critical technical elements over the past few months in Las Vegas. Although he has become best known for the 16 first round knockout streak that opened his professional career, Berlanga plans to showcase boxing skill and talent many fans have not previously seen from him.
 
“I’ve been working on my boxing ability and everything I’ve been doing all my life. I’m just bringing it back and not relying on power anymore because the power is there. I’m going back to my roots and my boxing ability,” he said.
 
Berlanga and his team will return home to New York early in fight week to finalize preparations for his 2022 debut. The event will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on March 19. Tickets for the stacked card of young talent are going quickly and a full house is expected for the Brooklyn-born boxer’s first main event.