Promoter Eddie Hearn says he thinks Edgar Berlanga can beat former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant, and he’s going to speak to Turki Alalshikh to make that fight next.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Hearn is still hoping that Berlanga (23-0, 18 KOs) will re-sign with his Matchroom promotion following his contract expiring after his first round knockout win over Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz (20-1-1, 16 KOs) last night at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. It’s questionable whether Turki will want to involve himself in trying to make a fight between Berlanga and Plant.
Ambition vs. Reality
It’s unclear if Hearn really believes Berlanga, 27, can beat Plant or if he’s just saying that because he wants him to re-up for another hitch with his company. He looked good against the 35-year-old Gonzalez-Ortiz, but that was a ham & egger who was never world-level, even when he was still active 10+ years ago.
He took a decade off, got old and fat, and looked gawdawful against Berlanga last night on the Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams vs. Patrice Volney card on DAZN. In another interview tonight, Berlanga said his two choices for his next opponent are Jaime Munguia and Jermall Charlo. He When asked if he’s interested in fighting Plant, Berlanga said, “F*** Plant,” meaning he doesn’t want to fight him.
“I think it’s a great fight. Whatever happens between me and Edgar, it’s a good fight for his career,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Fighthype about a fight between Edgar Berlanga and Caleb Plant. “I think that’s the fight he should do next, hopefully with us [Matchroom Boxing]. We’ll speak to PBC. Maybe His Excellency [Turki Alalahikh] as well, and we’ll go from there.
“It wasn’t ideal, but we were following the contract,” said Hearn about him matching Berlanga against Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz. I thought he boxed really well. Don’t get me wrong. Everybody will say, ‘Oh, the other guy.’ The other guy was solid, but Edgar showed that he’s a real world operator. That’s what you’re supposed to do at that level. Go and destroy him,” Hearn said about Berlanga crushing Gonzalez-Ortiz.
“He looked really heavy-handed and I think he’s going to improve a lot off the back of Canelo performance. I rate Caleb [Plant]. I like him. I think he’s a great guy, but you’ve got to try and get a hold of him and try and beat him up. It’s easier said than done, but it’s a great fight, a great clash of styles. I believe Edgar can beat him. Let’s find out,” said Hearn.
