Edgar Berlanga

Early Life and Amateur Career

Edgar Berlanga was born on May 18, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York, to Puerto Rican parents. Growing up in a diverse and vibrant community, Berlanga was introduced to boxing at a young age, inspired by Puerto Rican boxing legends such as Félix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto. He began training at the age of seven under the guidance of his father, who recognized his son’s potential and encouraged him to pursue the sport seriously. Berlanga’s early exposure to boxing and his natural athleticism quickly set him apart from his peers.

Berlanga’s amateur career was marked by notable achievements and significant victories. He competed in various local and national tournaments, quickly making a name for himself as a rising star in the amateur boxing scene. One of his early notable successes came in 2012 when he won the prestigious Junior Olympic National Championships. This victory was a significant milestone that highlighted his potential and marked him as a future contender in the sport. Throughout his amateur career, Berlanga faced several formidable opponents, gaining valuable experience and honing his skills. In 2013, he participated in the National Police Athletic League (PAL) Championships, where he showcased his talent and secured another championship title. His performance in these tournaments earned him a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team, where he represented the country in international competitions. In 2014, Berlanga continued to build on his success by winning the Ringside World Championships, one of the largest amateur boxing tournaments in the world.

Professional Career

Berlanga made his professional debut on April 29, 2016, with a first-round knockout against Jorge Pedroza in Aguascalientes City, Mexico. This debut set the stage for Berlanga’s reputation as a fearsome puncher, as he went on to secure a series of first-round knockouts early in his career. Berlanga’s early professional fights were nothing short of explosive. He achieved ten consecutive first-round stoppages, demonstrating his ability to dominate opponents quickly and decisively. Notable early victories include a first-round TKO against Saadiq Muhammad on September 9, 2017, and another first-round TKO against Jaime Barboza on January 26, 2018. These performances quickly established Berlanga as a rising star in the super middleweight division.

As Berlanga continued to climb the ranks, his winning streak remained unbroken. On December 14, 2019, he faced Cesar Nunez at Madison Square Garden in New York City, securing another first-round TKO victory. This win was followed by further first-round stoppages against Eric Moon, Lanell Bellows, and Ulises Sierra in 2020. His relentless approach in the ring garnered significant attention and built a formidable record of 16-0 by the end of 2020. In 2021, Berlanga continued to showcase his prowess with a unanimous decision victory over Demond Nicholson on April 24, marking his first professional fight to go the distance. Later that year, on October 9, Berlanga won the vacant NABO super middleweight title with a unanimous decision against Marcelo Esteban Coceres at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This victory marked a crucial step in his career, securing a regional title and demonstrating his ability to sustain his power over longer bouts.

Berlanga’s success persisted into 2022 and beyond. He retained his NABO super middleweight title with unanimous decision wins over Steve Rolls on March 19 and Roamer Alexis Angulo on June 11, both at the Hulu Theater in New York City. In 2023, he defended his title again, this time against Jason Quigley, securing a unanimous decision victory on June 24. Berlanga’s most recent fight on February 24, 2024, saw him achieve a sixth-round TKO against Padraig McCrory at the Caribe Royal Orlando in Florida, maintaining his perfect record of 22-0.