Berlanga really is ‘The Chosen One’ to be the next star

Being called “elected” in the fiefdom of a guy named Tito Trinidad is not very credible. But it is what it is, as the Americans would say (It is what it is).

Edgar Berlanga (18-0-0, 16 KO’s), who has his first main event at Madison Square Garden in New York this Saturday, March 19 against Steve Rolls (21-1-0, 12 KO’s) on a Top Rank bill, was renamed so and has no choice but to try to live up to the high expectations.

So far he hasn’t done badly. Quite the opposite. His career in pay-per-view boxing has been a whirlwind, knocking out his first 16 opponents in the first round, and at a glance it looks like he could become the next big star that Puerto Rican men’s boxing craves. The super middleweight powerhouse has not fought since undergoing surgery to repair a torn left biceps suffered in his decision win over Marcelo Esteban Coceres in October.

Since Miguel ‘Junito’ Cotto (41-6-0, 33 KO’s) retired in 2017, good prospects have raised their hand to fill the void, though for one reason or another they have fallen by the wayside.

In search of a closer look and to understand the responsibility he has in his fists, we asked three experts from the Isle of Enchantment if they believe Berlanga is really the ‘Chosen One’ to be the next great superstar of Puerto Rican men’s boxing.

The answer, simple and concise, is NO. And that’s not to Berlanga’s detriment. They are simply very difficult shoes to fill. Wilfredo Gómez paralyzed the country when he fought, whether in happy hours -read Carlos Zárate- or in the worst against Salvador Sánchez.

Tito Trinidad provoked, in his fight against Oscar de la Hoya, the first massive stoppage of its kind -and even more so, genuine, spontaneous, early in the morning and unplanned-. Miguel Cotto inherited the throne, in blood and fire even without the charisma of his predecessor. Félix Verdejo was the next in line, but he ruined his career, and worse, his life and the lives of others.

Berlanga has a long way to go. He may be champion and write his own history in the books of Puerto Rican boxing, but that’s not enough. A long string of first round knockouts says more about the caliber of the loser than the victor. It may be a long time before the next Puerto Rican boxing idol emerges. It is the fans themselves who determine when and to whom to bestow that distinction, and pretending to do so with urgency can lead to anointing clay idols.

When I heard him say on one of his last visits to the island that Tito Trinidad was his idol, it confirmed for me the kind of ambition he has.

He started his career with 16 consecutive first round knockouts. Then he won his other two fights by decision. But instead of celebrating, he admitted it was a “lesson” for him. He doesn’t like to disappoint his fans. That’s why he claimed a few weeks ago that, for this fight [against Rolls], he focused 100% on boxing. I don’t know if that means he didn’t do it before, but what it does mean is that he’s going back to his old route of knocking out anyone who gets in his way. That adds to the label of “next” Puerto Rican star.

Tito Trinidad is the people’s Maradona on the island. There is no athlete in Puerto Rico with as much impact on the street, among the people, as Tito. Berlanga may have been born in New York, but he is as Puerto Rican as everyone else on the island. And if he continues to add to his resume…. it’s inevitable that he’ll cross paths with Canelo in the future. Can you imagine? Just what Puerto Rican boxing fans need.

Can’t say for sure yet. His record, and especially those first 16 fights won by first round knockout are a testament to his potential and punching power.

However, Berlanga now begins a stage of his career in which experienced opponents can demand more from him and he has to show them what he is made of, that he has other ways to win fights and that his record is a reality and not a mirage.

In the history of boxing there are many cases of fighters who break it in their first 15 or 20 fights and then meet fighters with two or three defeats, who know Satan and come without any fear to take a chance. That’s how I’ve seen the next Gomez, Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto go down. If Berlanga gets past that new level, then you can think and answer that question.