Edgar Berlanga said today he’s ready to “shine like a superstar” on Saturday in his comeback fight against Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. This is a Matchroom show, and it’s likely to be Berlanga’s last with that company.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing)
Berlanga seemed to be wrestling with his hood outfit throughout his time on stage and it looked like he was trying to hide his face while being interviewed by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn. It was very bizarre.
Berlanga had said a lot this week in interviews about being unhappy with his undercard slot, and how he was leaving Matchroom. Was he hiding from Hearn? The way he covered his face looked like an ostrich bird, burying its head into the ground, rooting for worms.
The Brooklyn, New York native, Edgar says he expects a huge demand for his services on the free agent market, similar to the interest in the late basketball star Kobe Bryant. If there doesn’t turn out to be a stampede of takers for him, Hearn will likely welcome him back among the fold.
“Superstar” Dreams
Berlanga must perform well in this fight because he’s facing a lower-level guy with marginal power, who recently came off of a ten-year layoff. Even when Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz was fighting earlier in his career, he didn’t look all that impressive. Now, at 35, going to be overmatched in this fight. I don’t know where Hearn found him or why they’re using him.
Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) came up empty in his title challenge against unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez last September in Las Vegas. So, he’s starting what he hopes is a new unbeaten streak going up against Puerto Rican native Gonzalez-Ortiz (21-0-1, 16 KOs) in the co-feature slot on the Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams vs. Patrice Volny card. The event will be shown live on DAZN.
Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz: “I’m about making up for lost time in boxing. I still feel physically good, and my team believes in me as well. This is a great fight for Puerto Rico. Two warriors that are going into the ring on Saturday,” said Gonzalez-Ortiz during today’s final press conference.
Eddie Hearn: “Edgar, welcome back. You know what this man will be all about. Puerto Rican tough. A big opportunity for him, a tough road, but focused on the comeback this Saturday night leading to the big fights in the summer. But first, business to take care of in Orlando.”
Edgar Berlanga: I’m back after a big, big, big mega-fight against Canelo. We’re looking to go out there and shine like a star on Saturday. Go out and perform and look good. I’m fighting against another Puerto Rican from Puerto Rico. So. I know he’s coming with his best, and giving it his all.”
Hearn: “You’re coming off of a big fight with Canelo Alvarez. You gained more fans that night, and fighting at that level makes you even more hungry to return there. All of a sudden, you are the hunted out there. This guy has the opportunity to change his life to try and move into the kind of fights that you’re expected to be in the summer. How important is it for you to get the job done on Saturday night?”
Berlanga: “I’m locked in right now. This is a small show for me. I just got to go out and shine like a star. Go out and handle business and get the big fights. I’m not overlooking this man. He’s coming to win. He’s Puerto Rican, and he’s got the Puerto Rican blood in him. So, I know he’s coming to fight. He’s not coming to run around the ring and try to survive. He’s going to try and prove a point. I just want everyone to know it’s going to be a blood bath.”
Hearn: “The kind of fight that you want. You want someone that comes to fight that suits Edgar Berlanga perfectly.”
Berlanga: “1000%, that’s what we want, a real fight. Obviously, I went 12 rounds, toe-to-toe with Canelo with no running, no grabbing, no holding or nothing. I stood in front of his face and went at it for 12 rounds. I’m looking for the same outcome but something different on Saturday. That’s me winning and me looking good.”
Hearn: “We expect a war in this one. Puerto Rico in the house with Edgar Berlanga against Jonathan Gonzalez. Don’t blink at 168 lbs. A big fight for Edgar Berlanga to move onto those mega-fights in the summer, and a huge opportunity for this man, Jonathan Gonzalez.”
Last Updated on 03/13/2025
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