Edgar Berlanga reckons he’s primed to unleash his full fury as he gears up for his critical tussle with Padraig McCrory at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida on February 24, going global via DAZN streaming.
Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs), fired up by a commanding final round in his previous scrap against Jason Quigley, sent the ex-Olympian to the canvas twice, sealing a decisive victory in New York last June.
Following a year out of the ring and a reunion with coach Marc Farrait after a four-year hiatus, the 26-year-old admits past injuries and a break from the sport impacted his performance against Quigley. However, he’s shrugged off those setbacks, and with strength coach Angel ‘Memo’ Heredia on board and a renewed focus in Tampa, Berlanga’s convinced he’s in peak form to face the undefeated McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs).
“The last round of my previous bout was a real eye-opener,” Berlanga stated. “I’ve got the punch to drop anyone, and I’m feeling transformed – mentally, physically, and spiritually. Expect a display of firepower from me on February 24. I’m gunning for the knockout. We’ll see who’s left standing when the dust settles.
“When I’m firing on all cylinders, nobody can touch me. Watch me be unstoppable on February 24.
“I’ve made sacrifices, changed my surroundings to suburbia, and zoned in on my craft. Paying attention to the finer points of my technique is going to bring out my best. And with that, prepare to be amazed.
“Jealousy’s in the air. Since moving to Tampa, I’ve weeded out the fakes and focused on my squad. With faith, I see no limits, nothing can hold me back.
“I’m set to become one of the elite in the 168lb division. Post-fight, my name will be on everyone’s lips, sparking talks of showdowns with big names. It’s time I bagged a title.
“The guy who fought Quigley is history. I’ve evolved. Four years apart from Marc and overcoming injuries have only made me stronger.
“I’ve upped my game physically, enduring grueling sparring sessions. With ‘Memo’ in our corner, we’re built to last. If I bring this intensity, no one’s a match for me.”
The Berlanga-McCrory clash is part of a blockbuster night in Orlando, featuring a slew of bouts, including a showdown between Cuban lightweight Andy Cruz and Mexican Brayan Zamarippa for the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American titles.
In a WBA World Welterweight title eliminator, Shakhram Giyasov squares off against Pablo Cesar Cano, while Antonio Vargas and Jonathan Rodriguez vie for a shot at the WBA World Bantamweight title in another eliminator.
The undercard sees Yankiel Rivera battling Andy Dominguez for the WBA and WBC Continental Americas Flyweight titles, Cuban heavyweight Herich Ruiz facing Mitch Williams, and Aaron Aponte taking on Joseph Fernandez in the super lightweight division.