DAZN Fight card start time: 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. UK – Berlanga vs. McCrory ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. UK
Edgar Berlanga is itching to unleash his ferocious side as he zeroes in on his brawl with Padraig McCrory, set to light up the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, on the 24th of February, with fans worldwide tuning in live on DAZN for the spectacle.
Weights: Edgar Berlanga 167.8 vs. Padraig McCrory 167.8
Shakhram Giyasov 146.8 vs. Pablo Cesar Cano 146.2
Antonio Vargas 117.6 vs. Jonathan Rodriguez 118
Andy Cruz 135 vs. Brayan Zamarripa 135
Yankiel Rivera 111.8 vs. Andy Dominguez 111.6
Aaron Aponte 141 vs. Joseph Fernandez 140.4
Berlanga, standing undefeated at 21-0 with 16 knockouts, is all fired up to elevate his game following a commanding performance in the 12th round against Jason Quigley last time out. In that bout, he sent the former Olympian to the canvas twice, sealing the deal with a resounding victory on the scorecards in the Big Apple back in June.
After a year away from the squared circle, this fight marked Berlanga’s reunion with his cornerman Marc Farrait following a four-year hiatus. Now 26, Berlanga spilled the beans on how past injuries and a break from the ring threw a wrench in his preparations for the Quigley fight. However, he’s brushed off those setbacks, and with the enlistment of the esteemed strength and conditioning guru Angel ‘Memo’ Heredia, alongside a renewed focus at his Tampa stronghold, Berlanga is convinced he’s in prime condition to face the undefeated McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs).
The Puerto Rican sensation is hell-bent on picking up right where he dropped Quigley, not once but thrice, eyeing to solidify his reign in the Super-Middleweight realm as ‘The Chosen One.’
At 26, Berlanga sizes up McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs) as his toughest cookie yet, banking on the Belfast native’s vow for a slugfest in Orlando to set the stage for a blockbuster evening.
“Definitely my biggest hurdle,” Berlanga admits. “He’s spotless in the ring, which means he’s got that extra grit to guard his unbeaten streak. I never glance past an opponent; I relish the challenge. He’s up there, unscathed, and raring to prove a point. We’re upping the ante fight by fight, and McCrory’s record speaks volumes. This is the litmus test I’ve been looking for.”
Berlanga predicts a quick pivot from McCrory upon tasting his power, doubting a toe-to-toe exchange. “The moment he feels the heat, I bet he’ll turn tail. But we’re braced for every trick in the book. If he opts for hit-and-run or fancies a sneak attack, we’re on it. And if he dares to stand and bang, well, he’s dubbed ‘The Hammer’ for something, right? Let’s see if he lives up to that.”
Berlanga’s ready to let his fists fly come Saturday, promising a spectacle. “I’ll be speaking with my punches, aiming right for his mug. I’m locked and loaded, ready to dazzle. When we lock eyes at the press conference, he’ll know what’s coming.’
Padraig McCrory is all set to give Edgar Berlanga a reality check they didn’t see coming this Saturday. The scene is set at Caribe Royale in Orlando, where these two undefeated Super-Middleweights will throw down, and it’s all going down live on DAZN for the world to witness.
McCrory, standing tall with an 18-0 record, is gearing up to show Berlanga, who boasts a 21-0 streak, that he’s more than just a stepping stone. As they squared up in Orlando, the air was thick with the scent of an impending storm. McCrory, the Belfast powerhouse is swinging for a knockou win.
While Berlanga’s eyes are set on future prizes like Munguia, Pacheco, and the golden ticket fight against Canelo Alvarez, McCrory is ready to crash the party with a bang. He’s not just aiming to etch his name in Irish boxing lore; he’s looking to shake up the Super-Middleweight division by proving he’s the toughest puzzle Berlanga has yet to solve.
McCrory’s confidence is sky-high, not just because he’s a formidable presence at 168lbs but because he’s seen the cracks in Berlanga’s armor. Despite Berlanga’s power and growing fundamentals, McCrory’s convinced that his opponent’s resume lacks the depth and quality he brings to the table.
The Belfast fighter is visualizing victory, banking on his power to exploit Berlanga’s vulnerabilities. He’s the underdog, sure, but in his mind, he’s just one punch away from turning the boxing world on its head.
McCrory’s message is clear: underestimate him at your peril. He’s not just there to fight; he’s there to win!
The undercard is featuring the Cuban lightweight prodigy Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) squaring off against Mexico’s Brayan Zamarippa (14-2, 5 KOs) for the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin-American straps.
Shakhram Giyasov (14-0, 9 KOs) and Pablo Cesar Cano (35-8-1, 25 KOs) will duke it out in a WBA World Welterweight title eliminator. The main draw on DAZN also showcases another World title eliminator as Antonio Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs) and Jonathan Rodriguez (17-1-1, 7 KOs) vie for a shot at the WBA World Bantamweight title.
Kicking off the ‘Before The Bell’ segment, Yankiel Rivera (4-0, 2 KOs) steps into his first title fight against Andy Dominguez (10-0, 5 KOs) for the WBA and WBC Continental Americas Flyweight titles. Heavyweight action sees Cuban powerhouse Herich Ruiz (4-0, 3 KOs) go toe-to-toe with Mitch Williams (16-10-3, 11 KOs) over eight rounds, and Aaron Aponte (8-1-1, 2 KOs) faces Joseph Fernandez (17-5-3, 6 KOs) in a super lightweight eight-rounder.
Berlanga McCrory Card
- Edgar Berlanga vs. Padraig McCrory
- Andy Cruz vs. Brayan Zamarripa
- Shakhram Giyasov vs. Pablo Cesar Cano
- Antonio Vargas vs. Jonathan Rodriguez
- Yankiel Rivera vs. Andy Dominguez
- Herich Ruiz vs. Mitch Williams
- Aaron Aponte vs. Joseph Fernandez