Comments Thread For: Edgar Berlanga could return in February - in Puerto Rico

[CubanGuyNYC]

I swear Cuban Guy... Everyone is so "upset" over poor Devin and how Ryan tested hot, meanwhile? we have guys, like Haney, and Berlanga who are rehydrating to ridiculous weights... I mean how can the boxing people let this happen?! For Berlanga to come in that big. That is not fair... No wonder he did not get sparked! I love Puerto Rican fighters... as I grew up in East Harlem, but I ahve no respect for this kid... He is none to bright, has no exceptional ability and apparently only does not cheat because there is no rule against coming in at a weight that is 20 pounds over your opponent.

It’s legal, so they’re doing it. The rules really out to go back to same day weigh-in. Apparently one of the catalysts for change was a big fight between Eddie Mustapha Muhammad and Michael Spinks, back in 1983. Muhammad came in overweight, and the fight was called off. Obviously this screwed a lot of people, and the rest is history. These huge rehydrations are potentially hazardous for both fighters. But as far as Berlanga goes, I have a different view of him now. I saw a post-fight video earlier of Edgar in humble mode. I appreciated that kind of humility. I’m well aware that fights have to be sold, especially when the challenger is sub-par.

[CPNUTKnockoutFreshMart]

I'd like to hear from some boxing fans that actually live in Puerto Rico , if Berlanga really is the "star" that they're making him out to be on La Isla Bonita . I get the sense that Eddie Hearn might be cramming him down the throats of Puerto Ricans. Like they're trying too hard. I will say this , you can't manufacture the next big Puerto Rican star. It's got to be organic. If the people love you or not comes from the people, not the promoter or the fighter.

I like Xander Zayas but I don't think that he's going to be the next Tito or Cotto. It would be fantastic if he turned out to be as great as them in the ring, only time will tell and I will happily be proven wrong.

[STREET CLEANER]

I thought Berlanga was going to get ran over but he proved tougher than I expected. His inexperience did show but he showed a lot of power but don't know how to deliver it. I would like to see him against Mbilli or Munguia. That would take care of the guys a currently rank below David and Morrell.

[White-Bob]

He won’t be a champion. He’s nowhere good enough. Berlanga is much bigger than Canelo. That’s what helped him go the distance. That and the fact that he didn’t fight to win. Guys like Morrell and Benavidez, when they were at 168, would’ve annihilated Edgar. He’ll probably get a fight with Plant in the near future…and lose.

I disagree

[Tibburon245]

Berlanga tested himself against killer Canelo and wasn't KOd. He probably takes Plant and Munguia, but Benavidez & Morrell are more dangerous. But I could be wrong. You never know exactly how fights will go.

[Wacked_Out]

Berlanga tested himself against killer Canelo and wasn't KOd. He probably takes Plant and Munguia, but Benavidez & Morrell are more dangerous. But I could be wrong. You never know exactly how fights will go.

He gets KO'd by all of them 100% except Munguia, that's a Munguia 55-45 Berlanga.

[Bullrider]

I'll never know why they like the pressure of not getting embarrassed in their home court. Matias swears he'll never do it again.

[Southpaw16]

Berlanga-Benavidez would be a very fun fight, would probably need Saudi money to make it happen on the business end.

[Roj]

There’s no way Berlanga is fighting again in February. In fact, he won’t fight for another year. He’ll spend that time growing bloated and complacent from the millions that were dropped in his lap for an undeserved Canelo fight - and he’ll do a year-long victory lap pumping himself up for going all 12 rounds. Every time someone asks him about fighting, he’ll say it’s “gotta be the right fight that makes business sense” and that’s it tough for him to get psyched up to fight anyone else after having such a (so-called) great showing against Canelo.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I'd like to hear from some boxing fans that actually live in Puerto Rico , if Berlanga really is the "star" that they're making him out to be on La Isla Bonita . I get the sense that Eddie Hearn might be cramming him down the throats of Puerto Ricans. Like they're trying too hard. I will say this , you can't manufacture the next big Puerto Rican star. It's got to be organic. If the people love you or not comes from the people, not the promoter or the fighter.

I like Xander Zayas but I don't think that he's going to be the next Tito or Cotto. It would be fantastic if he turned out to be as great as them in the ring, only time will tell and I will happily be proven wrong.

Seems pretty clear they’re pushing Berlanga’s heritage more than ever. They tried the same with Danny Garcia. The fans in Puerto Rico are rabid and starved, so the market is very attractive. I’d be curious to see what people on the island think myself. From what I’ve always understood, native Puerto Ricans don’t accept people of PR heritage as being the same. Mexicans feel similarly about Mexican-Americans. There’s no telling how this strategy will work. But I will say this: everyone loves a winner; people will accept a champion as their own, even if only begrudgingly. Trouble with Berlanga is that he’s not yet a champ, and it doesn’t seem likely he’ll ever truly be one. Pretenders won’t cut it.