Edgar Berlanga made bold statements at the kickoff press conference for his upcoming super middleweight clash against Hamzah Sheeraz. The Puerto Rican boxer claimed the undefeated British fighter only accepted their July 12th fight because it was his pathway to a lucrative Canelo Alvarez matchup.
The press conference took place at the Palladium in New York and set the stage for what will be a high-stakes battle at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens. Berlanga, who holds a 23-1 record with 18 knockouts, appeared to unsettle Sheeraz during their face-off. Many observers noted the British fighter looked uncomfortable as Berlanga dominated the theatrics.
Boxing fans who follow online sports betting sites can find tons of markets on major sports, great odds, and big promotions. The best betting sites already list Berlanga as a slight favorite due to his power advantage and home-field edge for the July contest. The New York native brings significant knockout power to the ring after he started his professional career with 16 consecutive first-round stoppages.
Berlanga told reporters that Sheeraz was essentially cornered into this fight. He stated that Sheeraz was told if he defeats Berlanga, he will receive a Canelo fight, so he had no option but to accept. The prospect of facing Canelo Alvarez represents not just championship glory but also a potential eight-figure payday.
Sheeraz, who holds an impressive 21-0-1 record with 17 knockouts, comes into this contest after a controversial draw against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames in February. The British fighter traditionally competed at 160 pounds but moved up to super middleweight for this opportunity.
The winner of this bout will position themselves just one step away from a shot at Alvarez, who currently reigns as the undisputed 168-pound champion. Both fighters understand the stakes, with millions of dollars on the line for whoever can secure the Canelo opportunity.
Berlanga appeared supremely confident at the press conference and dismissed Sheeraz as a C-level fighter despite his undefeated record. This assessment came when reporters suggested Sheeraz might rank as the second-best opponent on his resume behind Canelo Alvarez.
The Puerto Rican-American fighter also spoke about his own increased profile since he faced Canelo last September. Berlanga boasted his stardom, money, and boxing IQ had all doubled. While he lost that contest, the exposure elevated his standing in the boxing world.
Should Berlanga defeat Sheeraz, he speculated about his path forward. He mentioned something in the works where, after he gets past Sheeraz, he will probably need to knock out Jaime Munguia, and then he could get that Canelo fight next year.
Boxing insiders believe Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh will play a major role in who gets the next crack at Canelo. Some analysts suggest Caleb Plant might present a more difficult obstacle for Berlanga than Munguia, who lost two of his last four bouts.
The July 12th showdown carries major implications for both fighters. For Sheeraz, this represents his American debut and a chance to prove he belongs at the elite level despite questions about his chin after tough moments against both Adames and Austin Williams. For Berlanga, this marks an opportunity to reestablish himself as a legitimate contender following his defeat to Canelo.
The press conference performance from Berlanga suggests he plans to use psychological warfare in addition to his physical tools. His theatrical presence dominated the event, with the New Yorker clearly comfortable in the spotlight as he talked up his knockout power and experience advantage.
With both men known for their knockout power at rates above 80 percent, fans can expect an explosive contest when they clash in Queens this summer at what promises to be a sold-out Louis Armstrong Stadium.
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