Edgar Berlanga Lashes Out at Mayweather Promotions’ Ex-CEO for Calling Him ‘Easy Work’ for Canelo Alvarez

Did ‘The Chosen One’ choose wisely? That seems to be the question on many minds as Edgar Berlanga finally came face to face with his 23rd opponent. They appear perplexed: of all the fighters in the world, did he have to go up against Canelo Alvarez? Perhaps Berlanga feels that it’s time his eight-year-old legacy finally makes a significant mark on the world stage. And what better to announce the move than with a fight against the ‘face of boxing’? Yet this bold step remains unconvincing to many fans and experts.

In his last fight, the 33-year-old Mexican world champion toyed around the rock-ribbed Jaime Munguia. Many feel Canelo Alvarez, who is no longer an undisputed champion, would simply breeze through the Edgar Berlanga question. Understandably, the Brooklyn-born boxer of Puerto Rican heritage is convinced of turning the tables on one of the greatest fighters of the generation. So much so that he isn’t willing to look eye-to-eye when others try pointing out how the fight may be a walk in the park for Alvarez. Though he reposed his faith in the super middleweight king, it’s unclear whether Leonard Ellerbe saw Berlanga’s response.

Edgar Berlanga, under and on fire

Commenting on a clip shared by Dan Canobbio, which shows Canelo Alvarez mocking Edgar Berlanga during their face-off, Leonard Ellerbe said, “Canelo is feeling it; easy work!!!” Berlanga, dismissing these comments as outlandish, suggested that the former CEO of Mayweather Promotions could be under the influence of banned substances.

The tension between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga was evident at their Los Angeles press conference. Fortunately, security did its job well, preventing any escalation. Speaking about his chances, ‘The Chosen One’ said, “The difference in this fight isn’t physical. It’s about IQ and intelligence in that ring… You could have all the power in the world, but at this level, it’s about intelligence. On September 14, it’s fireworks. He sees it in my eyes. I’m never scared. I’m coming to take his spot in this sport.”

On the other hand, true to himself, Canelo Alvarez remained quite cool about delivering his September 14 opponent his first career loss. He said, “I’m going to be at my best on September 14, and I’m not gonna have any compassion for him. I’m going to be different. He needs 20 of him to give me any problems.”

Edgar Berlanga last defeated the Irish Padraig McCrory via a sixth-round technical knockout. The win thus made him the WBA’s number one contender and a mandatory challenger to the interim champion David Morrell. But the Cuban-American boxer followed David Benavidez to try his luck at the 175-pound weight class. Thus leaving Berlanga as the mandatory challenger to Canelo Alvarez.

Other side of the glass

Just to put the fight in the right perspective. Conversely, some have criticized Alvarez for fighting ‘The Chosen One’. Why not face his erstwhile WBC mandatory challenger, David Benavidez? Or, for that matter, why isn’t he willing to fight Terence Crawford, who has been calling him out for a long time?

However, the way cards are stacked, the fight with ‘Bud’ seems unlikely in the near future. With ‘The Mexican Monster’ opting to stay at light heavyweight, even that opportunity appears to be a lost cause. Thus, it’s back to the WBA mandatory Edgar Berlanga for now. Who’s it going to be next?

Do you also agree with Leonard Ellerbe’s views? Or, do you feel Berlanga has what it takes to achieve what Mayweather Jr. and Bivol managed earlier?