Edgar Berlanga’s recent comments about his upcoming fight with Hamzah Sheeraz reveal a dangerous mix of overconfidence and misjudgment. Berlanga claims he has “already beat” Sheeraz mentally, likening him to a future Canelo Alvarez opponent—an assertion that might fire him up but ultimately reeks of self-delusion. While psychological advantage in combat sports is not to be underestimated, Berlanga’s mindset here seems less about strategic confidence and more about wishful thinking that blurs the lines between preparation and fantasy. It’s one thing to mentally prepare for a challenge, quite another to see your opponent as a mere stepping stone for grandeur that, at this stage, feels premature.
This mental framing risks dismissing Sheeraz in a way that might leave Berlanga exposed. Psychological readiness does not automatically transform into victory. Nor does it excuse a fighter’s underwhelming in-ring performances. Berlanga’s confidence would be far more credible if backed by a sustained display of skill and adaptability—not just bravado. His remarks about the pressure Sheeraz supposedly feels, even insinuating that Sheeraz’s camp is reluctant to fight in New York, might be attempts at psychological warfare. However, they come off as transparent and potentially weaken Berlanga’s own position if he cannot deliver inside the ring.
Berlanga’s Record: Overhyped and Underwhelming
It’s important to critically assess Berlanga’s career trajectory. Prior to his fight with Canelo, Berlanga was carefully curated by Top Rank with an almost unnatural build-up. Sixteen debut fights against what can only be described as “tomato cans” — non-competitive opponents who inflated his record without testing his true capabilities — soaked up his momentum. When finally challenged against decent opposition, Berlanga’s thin veneer quickly cracked, exposing serious flaws. His loss to Canelo wasn’t a surprise to boxing insiders; it was an expected reality check.
After departing Top Rank and signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, Berlanga was matched against questionable opposition again, including fights with Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory. These bouts further stalled his legitimate growth, merely keeping him in the conversation without proving he belongs in the elite tier. Now, he’s being lined up for another major fight, a title shot against Sheeraz, who himself has been underwhelming and fortunate—his recent draw against Carlos Adames was widely viewed as a gift, not a testament to skill.
This speak to a broader issue plaguing boxing today: promotional companies orchestrating matchmaking not always based on merit but on marketability. Berlanga’s situation is a classic example of a fighter kept afloat by savvy promotional maneuvering rather than unequivocal in-ring superiority. As a result, when fighters like Canelo settle on opponents, the quality and storytelling around these fights often feel forced or premature.
Why Sheeraz and Berlanga’s Fight Is Pivotal—and Problematic
The upcoming fight between Berlanga and Sheeraz encapsulates the tug-of-war between hype and substance. From a fan’s perspective, it’s an underwhelming headline, especially when layered with Berlanga’s refusal to fully acknowledge Sheeraz’s skills. Sheeraz comes into the fight unbeaten, albeit with questions of his own, and perhaps many fans hoped for matchups that would genuinely elevate one or both fighters—rematches that would show clear narrative progression or title implications grounded in merit.
If Berlanga thinks a win here fast-tracks him to a rematch with Canelo, he’s ignoring the broader context. Boxing fans crave fresh, competitive matchups, not recycled storylines where a fighter with barely two substantial wins from his last fights can demand a second shot at the mega-champion. Fighters like Christian Mbilli, Osleys Iglesias, Lester Martinez, and Janibek Alimkhanuly are examples of talent who arguably deserve the spotlight more, having earned opportunities through consistent performance rather than promotional favor.
The Sheeraz fight, then, is not just a straightforward stepping stone for Berlanga but a test of whether he can break free from the shadow of empty hype and prove he’s more than a product manufactured for short-term spectacle. Both fighters need to recognize that their moves in this fight can shape or shatter their career trajectories. For Berlanga, it’s a chance to silence critics but also a pitfall if his arrogance blinds him to the challenge before him.
The Future of Middleweight Contenders
In an era where the middleweight division is dominated by Canelo, the quest for worthy challengers is intense. However, the pathways fighters take to glory must be meaningful. Success built on beating unworthy opponents or riding promotional momentum is fragile and often short-lived. Berlanga’s narrative exemplifies a troubling trend in the sport—where hype sometimes eclipses substance, and where mental games overshadow technical development.
In the end, real greatness in boxing demands more than mental confidence or crafty promotion. It commands skill, resilience, and the ability to rise to real challenges, not imagined ones. For Berlanga to move beyond the confines of carefully constructed hype, he must translate his bravado into concrete results against true contenders who push the sport forward. Otherwise, his dream of challenging Canelo again remains just that—a dream.
Leave a Reply