Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has thrown super middleweight Edgar Berlanga’s name into the Canelo Alvarez sweepstakes for a proposed date of May 4 in Las Vegas.
Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs) is scheduled to face Irishman Padraig McCrory in Florida on February 24. If the New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent can turn in a solid performance, then a matchup against the biggest name in the sport could be next.
"I'm calling it out now, Canelo doesn't have an opponent. If Berlanga wins in spectacular fashion — Mexico vs Puerto Rico on May 4th," said Hearn in an interview with Matchroom Boxing.
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Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) has been linked to bouts with both WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo and former WBO super welterweight titleholder Jaime Munguia.
The Ring's Joe Santoliquito recently reported that Canelo had settled on Charlo. However, ESPN's Salvador Rodriguez has since revealed that PBC are pushing for Munguia, because they believe that fight is a bigger attraction and would justify Canelo's fight guarantee of $35 million.
With so much uncertainty surrounding Canelo's next move, it makes sense for Berlanga to throw himself into the mix. The 26-year-old boxer-puncher is undefeated and, as Hearn says, the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry — particularly on Cinco de Mayo weekend — ticks some relevant boxes.
Who is Edgar Berlanga?
Berlanga established himself as an authentic knockout artist by stopping his first 16 opponents in round one. However, he has been extended the full distance in his last five fights, which coincided with him stepping up in class.
Signture wins have come against Marcelo Esteban Coceres, Steve Rolls, Roamer Alexis Angulo and Jason Quigley.
Nicknamed “The Chosen One”, Berlanga had an amateur record of 162-17.