Padraig McCrory is chuckling in the face of Edgar Berlanga and his squad, convinced they’ve bungled big time by choosing him for this Saturday’s showdown. He’s hanging by a thread, one thunderous punch away from flipping his life upside down, as these two undefeated Super-Middleweights are set to tangle at Caribe Royale in Orlando, with the whole world watching on DAZN.
In the heat of Orlando, McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs) and Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs) locked eyes for the first time, setting the stage for their imminent clash in the 168lb division.
The Belfast warrior admits this is the pinnacle of his boxing journey so far. Yet, with Berlanga’s gaze fixed on giants like Jaime Munguia, Diego Pacheco, and the crown jewel, Canelo Alvarez, McCrory sees a golden ticket to scribble his name alongside these luminaries.
“One haymaker from rewriting my destiny,” McCrory muses. He dreams of etching his name in Irish boxing lore come Saturday. For McCrory, a man content in life with his family, this victory isn’t just another win; it’s a leap into a realm of titanic bouts, possibly locking horns with the likes of Munguia, Pacheco, or even Canelo.
He’s convinced Berlanga’s overlooking him, a blunder he plans to exploit. “I’m the nightmare he never saw coming,” McCrory asserts, confident that he’s Berlanga’s stiffest challenge yet. Despite Berlanga’s reputation for power, McCrory believes he’s yet to face a true 168lb force like himself.
McCrory’s strategy? Capitalize on Berlanga’s past stumbles, seen in fights and spars. He’s not just hoping for victory; he’s visualizing the knockout. “I’m the dark horse here, but after Saturday, my name will echo in the boxing world,” he declares, thanking Eddie for the chance but warning of the upset brewing.
As Berlanga and McCrory gear up for their Orlando duel, the undercard brims with talent. Cuban prodigy Andy Cruz faces off against Mexico’s Brayan Zamarippa, while Shakhram Giyasov and Pablo Cesar Cano vie for a shot at the WBA World Welterweight title. The main event on DAZN features another eliminator as Antonio Vargas and Jonathan Rodriguez battle for closer proximity to the WBA World Bantamweight title.
The night begins with Yankiel Rivera in his first title bout against Andy Dominguez, and the card is packed with action, including heavyweight Herich Ruiz and super-lightweights Aaron Aponte and Joseph Fernandez.
In a night filled with promise and unpredictability, McCrory’s bold prediction sets the tone for a fight night that might just defy the odds.
Giyasov, Vargas And Rivera Feature On Berlanga vs McCrory Undercard
Shakhram Giyasov throws down with Pablo Cesar Cano, while Antonio Vargas tangles with Jonathan Rodriguez in world title eliminators. Adding to the mix, Yankiel Rivera steps up for his first pro title, all under the bright lights of the Edgar Berlanga vs. Padraig McCrory super-middleweight tussle at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. This spectacle unfolds on Saturday, February 24, and the whole world can catch the action live on DAZN.
Tickets hit the presale stage on Wednesday, January 10 (10AM ET), and then it’s a free-for-all from January 11 (10AM ET). If you want in on the presale action, hustle over to MATCHROOMBOXING.COM.
Giyasov (14-0, 9 KOs), standing tall as the WBA’s top dog in the welterweight division, is all set to amp up his claim for a world welterweight title. He’s squaring off against the seasoned warrior Cano (35-8-1, 25 KOs), who’s not just any contender but a former world title challenger. Giyasov, fresh off trouncing Harold Calderon last June, is itching to chalk up another win against Cano, who’s been on a roll, knocking out his last two opponents.
Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs) and Rodriguez (17-1-1, 7 KOs) are gearing up for a sizzling showdown, vying for the WBA’s 118lb crown. Vargas, fighting on his home turf for the umpteenth time, is up against Rodriguez, a confident chap who recently sent shockwaves by KO’ing former champ Kal Yafai.
Rivera (4-0, 2 KOs), a former amateur hotshot, is poised to snag his first pro title. He’s up against Andy Dominguez for the WBA Continental Americas Flyweight title. Both fighters are unbeaten, making this a tantalizing clash for their first belt.
Florida’s own Aaron Aponte (8-1-1, 2 KOs) steps back into the ring, marking his 11th pro fight, and Cuban heavyweight sensation Herich Ruiz (4-0, 3 KOs) is also set to showcase his skills. Their opponents are still under wraps, so stay tuned.
This star-packed event in Orlando is topped off with a dynamite super-middleweight clash between the unbeaten Edgar Berlanga and Padraig McCrory. Don’t miss the co-feature bout where Cuba’s boxing hero Andy Cruz defends his IBF International Lightweight title against Brayan Zamarippa.