EDDIE HEARN believes Edgar Berlanga can still be a major player in the super-middleweight division despite suffering his first defeat.
The Puerto Rican New Yorker was beaten wide on points by unified champion Canelo Alvarez at the T-Mobile Arena with scores of 117-110 and 118-109 (twice) in the Mexican’s favour. Berlanga went into the fight full of confidence and machismo but ultimately was found wanting at the level needed to beat Canelo.
Berlanga did receive plaudits for his efforts, however, and while he never looked like winning, promoter Eddie Hearn believes his man can still do big things at 168lbs.
“The kid’s flashy, he looks the part, he really spoke well this week, he’s got Puerto Rico behind him, he’s got New York behind him, he’s always done big numbers,” Hearn told Boxing News.
“I think fresh off that defeat I think he’s going to be a major player in the division. Jaime Munguia, great fight. Caleb Plant, great fight. Diego Pacheco is going to be chasing guys like Edgar Berlanga as well. Charlo. There’s massive fights out there to make and he’ll be back early next year headlining.”
He added, “It kind of feels like we got a new signing because I really feel like he’s a massive star in the division.”