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Edgar Berlanga has broken his knockout dry spell, securing a sixth-round stoppage victory over Padraig McCrory. This marks Berlanga's first knockout win in five fights and over three years, reigniting talks of a potential showdown with boxing elites like David Benavidez, Jaime Munguia, or Jermall Charlo in the highly coveted Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes.
Berlanga's career has been a rollercoaster ride, starting with an impressive 16-fight knockout streak followed by five consecutive distance wins. The Puerto Rican fighter knew that a decision victory over McCrory would likely dim his chances of facing Alvarez. However, Berlanga displayed a calculated approach from the outset, showcasing patience and defensive skills in the early rounds.
"I wanted to see what I’m receiving," Berlanga explained post-fight. "I didn’t just want to be an offensive fighter. I want to work on my defensive side first."
Despite McCrory's resilience and fighting spirit, especially praised by Berlanga, the Irish fighter struggled to keep up with Berlanga's pace and power. Berlanga's strategic elbow strikes and body shots further hindered McCrory's efforts, eventually leading to the decisive sixth round.
The climax came when Berlanga unleashed a flurry of punches, driving McCrory to the ropes. A devastating right cross landed flush on McCrory's jaw, sending him to the canvas. Though McCrory managed to rise to his knees by the count of seven, his corner threw in the towel, conceding defeat to Berlanga.
"It feels amazing," Berlanga expressed, emphasizing the importance of adding another knockout to his record. When asked about a potential matchup with Alvarez in May, Berlanga responded confidently, "1000 percent."
Promoter Eddie Hearn echoed Berlanga's sentiments, hinting at a possible Berlanga-Alvarez showdown later this year.
"Maybe there is one more [fight for Berlanga in the interim], but if the call came, he wouldn’t back down. I believe you’ll see Canelo against Berlanga this year, in May or September."
With Berlanga's return to knockout form, the boxing world eagerly anticipates whether he will indeed be the next challenger to face the legendary Canelo Alvarez.