Edgar Berlanga is preparing for the biggest fight of his life, a super middleweight title bout with current 168-pound king Canelo Alvarez. The pair will do battle in an anticipated clash on Sept. 14 for the WBO, WBA, WBC, and The Ring world titles.
A former opponent of Alvarez's, Caleb Plant, will also feature on the card headlined by the super middleweight title fight. During the first press conference between Alvarez and Berlanga, which also included Plant, a heated exchange was captured between 'Sweethands' and 'The Chosen One'.
During Berlanga's speech about how he planned on defeating the Mexican champion, he referenced his IQ as a reason why he won't end up knocked out like Plant did against Alvarez.
The New York native's comments did not sit well with the former IBF world champion, who began firing back at Berlanga from the crowd. The current king of the 168-pound division then interrupted Plant and promised he would "take care" of the 27-year-old for him.
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'The Chosen One' said this:
"It's not about physical [attributes], it's about IQ and intelligence in that ring. That's what's gonna make the difference on September 14... It's intelligence and IQ, and we're not gonna end up like that f**k n***a over there that got knocked out [points at Plant]."
The Mexican then said:
"Caleb, take it easy. I'm gonna take of him for you. I promise you. That's for you buddy. That's for you. You think he's got more IQ than you?"
Watch Edgar Berlanga and Caleb Plant's exchange below (6:15):
Edgar Berlanga has been "disrespected" ahead of Canelo Alvarez fight, says Eddie Hearn
Eddie Hearn believes his client, Edgar Berlanga, has been showed little respect during the recent build-up to his clash with Canelo Alvarez.
'The Chosen One' is currently 22-0, with 17 KO wins. However, having never competed for a world title in his professional career, there are suggestions that he is not ready for an Alvarez-caliber fight.
But Hearn has backed him to cause a massive upset and believes that it's only a matter of time before the super middleweight king is dethroned. The Matchroom Boxing chairman said:
"I feel like [Berlanga] has been disrespected a little bit in the build-up to this fight... He will go to war with Canelo Alvarez. He's up against it, of course he is. But at some point they take their eye off the ball, they get a little bit older..."
Watch Hearn discuss Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga below (13:55):