Edgar Berlanga says he’ll be back in December, his first outing since a fifth-round knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz on July 12 in Queens. The 28-year-old super middleweight (23-2, 18 KOs) is embarking on another rebuild after a humbling main-event defeat.
The comeback doubles as a career reset. Berlanga is currently a promotional free agent - his Matchroom deal ended after the March 15 win over Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz - and, given the Sheeraz result, a softer touch seems likely for his next opponent. Eddie Hearn has already said he isn’t looking to re-sign Berlanga.
Watch Berlanga vs. Sheeraz highlights: Watch
There’s no shortage of opinions on what went wrong. Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. warned before the fight that Berlanga needed an early knockout or “he’s going to have some problems,” and afterward said Berlanga underestimated Sheeraz, got hurt, and couldn’t recover. Critics also point to earlier struggles with Roamer Angulo, Steve Rolls, and Marcelo Coceres as evidence that hype outpaced progress.
The path back is steep at 168, where names like Diego Pacheco, Christian Mbilli, and Osleys Iglesias loom - and would be favored to replicate Sheeraz’s success. Still, Benavidez Sr. says the talent is there if Berlanga returns “humble and respectful.” December will reveal whether lessons took - and whether a new team, new promoter, or new approach can revive the “Chosen One” in a deep division.
Image Credit: DAZN