THE RESULT: Edgar Berlanga achieves a knockout victory over Padraig McCrory in round six at 2.44 of their 12-round super-middleweight bout. This win marks Berlanga’s first victory inside the distance since 2020, breaking his streak of 16 consecutive first-round knockouts. As a result, Berlanga is now the mandatory challenger for the WBA world belt currently held by Canelo Alvarez.
KEY MOMENTS: Despite being named ‘Shootout’, the opening round saw minimal punches connecting. Berlanga’s use of elbows and head in the third round indicated his frustration during the fight. In the following round, Berlanga landed a powerful left hand on McCrory, who managed to survive. However, in the sixth round, with less than 30 seconds remaining, Berlanga landed a decisive straight right followed by another right hand, knocking down the 35-year-old McCrory. After rising at the count of nine, McCrory’s corner threw in the towel, ending the fight.
RECORDS: With this victory, Berlanga’s record now stands at 22-0 (17), while McCrory suffers his first defeat and holds a record of 18-1 (9).
TALKING POINT: Speculation before the fight suggested Berlanga could potentially face Canelo in May. However, the level of competition Berlanga has faced may not yet match Canelo’s standards. Nevertheless, Berlanga is now the WBA mandatory challenger.
QUOTABLE: Reflecting on his victory, Berlanga expressed, “It feels great to be back catching a live body. I feel amazing.” He emphasized the importance of securing the stoppage after several fights without one, admitting, “It was super important. I told Padraig McCrory I was losing sleep over this fight because of him.” Berlanga also expressed his desire to face Canelo next, stating, “We want Canelo now. Boxing needs a Puerto Rican versus a Mexican star.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Whether Berlanga will have the opportunity to fight Canelo in the near future remains uncertain. If he must wait his turn, a higher caliber of opponents is necessary for the 26-year-old. Meanwhile, McCrory could continue competing at 168lbs or move back up to 175lbs, potentially engaging in exciting matchups.