“There’s the NyQuil,” roared the commentator as Edgar Berlanga lodged a solid left and wound up the business with Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz. The sequence to the unheralded journeyman’s fateful rout began with a left hook. With just a minute left in the first round, following a body shot, Berlanga’s left connected, throwing the San Juan-born fighter off balance. Gonzalez-Ortiz managed to beat the referee’s count. But his troubles were far from over. A few seconds later, Berlanga’s big right had Gonzalez-Ortiz leaning on the ropes. He survived another count.

But the writing on the wall was becoming clearer. Putting an end to Gonzalez-Ortiz’s miseries, a thundering left from Edgar Berlanga finally convinced the referee to stop the fight. For Berlanga, the victory erased the embarrassment of fighting on an undercard and missing weight. Post-fight, he called out a slew of names and expressed hopes for a rematch with Canelo Alvarez. To many fans who felt that last September’s loss exposed Berlanga, it must have been a rude awakening. Far from it, the Nuyorican may have proven why he remains one of the best 168-pounders.

Power Jab—Not Just for Range

Given his size and power, Edgar Berlanga uses his jabs the way Larry Holmes used to in his prime. It’s an attacking weapon. Most of the fighters use their jab to find range and gauge distance to support the succeeding strike with the left (for orthodox fighters and vice versa).

But not in Berlanga’s case. Using his strength, he throws a jab so hard that it can knock opponents’ heads back. The purpose is simple. Using the jab, Berlanga stops the opponents from lunging forward. Thereafter, he can set up bigger punches.

Smart Pressure—No Escape for Opponents

Given his experience as an amateur boxer, Edgar Berlanga is technically deft at understanding when and where to apply pressure on the opponent. That’s quite the opposite of a regular slugger/swarmer. Usually, the moment they enter the ring, they start applying the pressure, forcing the opponent to make mistakes. But the style falters against fighters who can counterattack with precision.

Instead of blindly charging in, Berlanga carefully moves forward. He cuts off his opponent’s escape routes. He uses smart footwork, small movements, and tricks to keep them trapped, forcing them into bad positions.

Breaks Opponents Down—Body First, Then Head

As the Gonzalez-Ortiz fight showed, Edgar Berlanga seldom goes for a one-shot kill. He bides his time and plays along. To effect his game plan, the Brooklyn-born fighter first attacks the body. The searing pain forces the opponents to lower their guard.

However, the urgency to protect the ribs leaves their head vulnerable. Berlanga surprises them with a powerful punch to the head. More often than not, it leads to a knockout. It’s a deadly mix of power and strategy that Berlanga uses to overwhelm his adversary.

Sledgehammer Hooks—One Shot Can End It

The proof of pudding lies in eating. Outside of today’s fight, sixteen of Edgar Berlanga’s KO wins were secured through left hooks – his signature move. The secret to his hook being so powerful lies in the technique. He tucks in his elbow and then rotates his body to throw the punch. To that effect, he can throw a left hook from different angles. And when they land, they don’t just hurt – they often lead to early stoppage.

Adapting Fast—More Than Just Power

From the time Edgar Berlanga made his debut, he has earned a reputation as a powerful hitter, a knockout artist. But over the years, he worked on improving his defensive skills. The best example remains last year’s ‘Canelo’ fight. Despite his inability to match the Mexican superstar’s boxing skills, thanks to his ability to escape from Alvarez’s devastating punches, Berlanga took the fight to full distance.

Similar improvements have been observed in terms of his counterpunching skills as well. Thus, he’s working on becoming a complete fighter, not just someone who relies on power.

Fans are now looking forward to his next move. Hopefully, he fights Caleb Plant or Jaime Munguia. Regardless of the opponent, fans can expect to see a more confident and improved Edgar Berlanga in the ring.

Which aspect of Berlanga’s fighting style stood out to you?