Looking forward to a fresh start as a free agent, Edgar Berlanga said, “I don’t need to be tied in with no promoter trying to control me. I’m a boss at the end of the day. And these guys are business. These guys, they got to be business partners with me. They’re not my boss.” The versed ones know what ‘The Chosen One’ was talking about.

With the March 15 Austin Williams-Patrice Volny show, Edgar Berlanga’s partnership with Matchroom Boxing, which began in 2023 and peaked last September when Berlanga faced the biggest name in boxing, came to an end. The first-round knockout of Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz somewhat eased his embarrassment. However, the downgrade, from a Canelo fight to a ten-round undercard showdown, was perhaps the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Though a free agent, reports suggest he is open to other alternates, meaning promotions. What about a fresh deal with Matchroom? A response from his end is still awaited. But Eddie Hearn, like a true businessman, prefers to play his cards carefully.

A Fight Hub TV reporter took up the matter with Eddie Hearn: “Edgar Berlanga, are you going to look to resign him? He’s saying he’s a free agent. He was saying you’re not his boss before the most recent fight. Are you speaking to him? Are you on speaking terms?”

It was high time Hearn cleared the air about the ‘Boss’ issue. “Um, I’ve never been his boss really,” he pointed out before adding, “Yeah, we’re definitely on speaking terms.” Hearn subtly countered Berlanga’s claim by reframing the promoter-fighter dynamic. Hearn explained his role is to serve the fighters’ interests. He positions himself as a promoter who sees fighters as his bosses.

He emphasized the ‘incredible job’ the Matchroom team had done for Berlanga. It ‘completely changed his life.’ Speaking about Berlanga’s free-agent status, Hearn still viewed him as a valuable fighter and acknowledged his talent. But there’s something to keep in mind.

Eddie Hearn on Berlanga’s return: Anytime, but keep in mind there’s a requirement

Leaving no room for doubt, Eddie Hearn said, “To be honest with you, I’m a big loyalty guy, you know. I think, um, if you start playing around, then I can still work with you, but my heart’s not really in it. So hopefully if we are going to work together, we’ll bypass all of that and he won’t wh**e himself out because that’s kind of not really it; it loses a little bit of the buzz.”

He even used an analogy to compare Berlanga’s free-agency move. Now was that a veiled warning? If Berlanga entertains too many other promoters before potentially returning to Matchroom, the dynamic will change. Hearn might not be as invested.

Citing his frustration with promoters, Berlanga had earlier revealed that he was supposed to headline a fight in Puerto Rico on March 8. Part of an ongoing negotiation, “It was simple; we fight our headline. I’m a free agent after, but no, they want to go and put sh*t in the contract to extend contracts and sh*t and do the same sh*t it did with me for the Canelo fight, you know,” he said.

Berlanga claimed he was in direct talks with William Scull. A fight could’ve happened if Matchroom had stepped up. He felt winning the IBF title against Scull would have positioned him for a ‘Canelo’ rematch. But because Matchroom didn’t make it happen, Canelo is now fighting Scull instead.

Perhaps Hearn was carefully trying to manage the perception that he remains a fair and successful promoter. The loyalty angle and relationship analogy added a personal touch to his response. In a way, by making this statement publicly, Hearn not only addressed Berlanga but also shaped a narrative for fans and other promoters.

Do you think Edgar Berlanga should reconsider joining Matchroom?