Edgar Berlanga fires back at Lou DiBella after criticism

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Edgar Berlanga Jr. unloaded on Lou DiBella after the veteran promoter publicly questioned the legitimacy of his rise, arguing that his early 16-fight knockout streak was built on opposition that he views as the equivalent of “ham sandwiches.”

“You always trying to s*** on me and Richardson Hitchins, that old man with the glasses Lou Dibella. What the fuck have you done in boxing, b****? You ain’t do s***! You were on my d***, trying to sign me, and I didn’t want to sign with you, you f**** bum. When you see me in person,” said Edgar Berlanga on X.

Berlanga’s reaction is understandable from a pride standpoint. No one wants to be called a product, but DiBella was attacking Berlanga along with the entire promotional model that allows a fighter to fail upward into multi-million dollar paydays.

The “ham sandwich” metaphor from Lou DiBella is a brutal but effective breakdown of how the boxing machine can manufacture a star out of thin air.

When you look at the trajectory from those first 16 first-round knockouts to where Edgar Berlanga Jr. stands now, it’s hard to argue against the idea that his early career was a masterclass in matchmaking by Top Rank rather than a reflection of elite talent.

Top Rank knew exactly what they were doing between 2016 and 2020. By feeding Berlanga 16 opponents who were essentially stationary targets, they built a viral sensation. The 1st Round KO gimmick became a brand, but as soon as the level rose to durable, second-tier fighters, the limitations became obvious.

Against Marcelo Coceres, Demond Nicholson, and Steve Rolls, the power didn’t vanish, but the ability for Berlanga to deliver it did. He struggled with basic ring generalship and timing when the “ham sandwiches” started biting back.

When Berlanga moved to Eddie Hearn, the pattern continued. He was kept relatively safe until the Canelo payday arrived. That fight proved DiBella’s point. Berlanga was overmatched, but because of the manufactured hype, he was in a position to demand a massive purse.