Edgar Berlanga and Prime Rank parted methods as a result of the boxer felt that his profession wasn’t being guided in a path or tempo that he felt he was prepared for.
The 25-year-old Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) has strung wins in opposition to the likes of Roamer Alexis Angulo, Steve Rolls, Marcelo Esteban Coceres, and Demond Nicholson in his final 4 fights.
The performances have been a stark distinction from when he knocked out 16 in a row to kick off his profession.
Regardless, Berlanga believes he’s prepared for world-class competitors.
“For me, in all probability my subsequent combat, clearly he is preventing Canelo [Alvarez] probably, however it could be a man like John Ryder, or not, simply to get my ft moist, a Gary O’Sullivan. A man like that. After which transfer on and probably get the Canelo combat earlier than preventing a man like Jaime Munguia or one thing like that,” Berlanga advised co-hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess on “The DAZN Boxing Present.”
“I really feel like proper now I am in a scenario the place I wish to show myself. [Top Rank] gave me choices we did not like. We needed to combat guys like John Ryder. His crew needed it. I needed it. It simply did not occur. I wish to show to myself that I’m the most effective at 168 kilos. Clearly, it is taking that bigger step with these sorts of opponents.”
The tremendous middleweight Berlanga is ranked No. 4 by the WBO, WBA, and IBF, and No. 12 by the WBC.
Alvarez is the undisputed champion and controls the world title image at 168 kilos.
“Canelo is the combat everybody needs. Folks can say ‘Berlanga is just not prepared.’ To me, that is simply the critics speaking. On the finish of the day, a fighter has to consider in himself. You do not know that you simply’re prepared till it is there,” mentioned the Brooklyn-based boxer.
Berlanga, nonetheless, considerably poured chilly water on his grasp plan in the identical interview by indicating that he’d like a tune-up sort of combat for his ring return.
“I went by way of these [38] rounds [in my last four fights], and I gained expertise,” he mentioned. “This subsequent combat that is coming, I might wish to get my ft moist just a little bit from this little layoff that I had, and from there transfer on and get a much bigger combat.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author, and broadcast reporter. He’s additionally a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He may be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by way of e mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or by way of www.ManoukAkopyan.com.