Edgar Berlanga – Daniel Jacobs Speculation Stirs, But Is It the Right Move?

Image: Edgar Berlanga - Daniel Jacobs Speculation Stirs, But Is It the Right Move?
February 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Edgar Berlanga celebrates with Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, after his win over Padraig McCrory after their fight at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
By Robbie Bannatyne - 03/11/2024 - Comments

Unbeaten super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga faced off with Daniel Jacobs last weekend at a sporting event, creating a buzz with fans who see a potential fight between these two New Yorkers.

Jacobs hasn’t fought in two years since his loss to John Ryder in February 2022, and before that, he’d been out of the ring for two years since his win over journeyman Gabriel Rosado in 2020. Jacobs is currently not ranked in the top 15 by any organizations at 160 or 168.

Is Berlanga Avoiding a Challenge?

What’s unclear is why Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) would choose to fight the 37-year-old, inactive, past his prime former two-time middleweight champion Jacobs (37-4, 30 KOs) when he could challenge for a world title immediately against WBA ‘regular’ 168-lb champ David Morrell Jr.

If Berlanga wants to prove to the fans that he’s not just looking for a cash-out fight against Canelo, he should use the mandatory WBA spot he earned against Padraig McCrory by challenging Morrell Jr. for his title.

Berlanga could get a title shot against Morrell right away, which help his chances of getting a crack at Canelo Alvarez if he were victorious.

The 26-year-old Berlanga defeated the little-known Irish fighter Padraig McCrory last month by a sixth-round knockout on February 24th in a World Boxing Association 168-lb title eliminator.

After the fight, Berlanga mistakenly announced that he was now mandatory for Canelo Alvarez’s WBA title. However, as it turns out, Berlanga is mandatory for David Morrell Jr’s WBA ‘regular’ title, and the Cuban talent has already offered him an immediate crack at his belt.

When the media asked Berlanga at the post-fight press conference if he would like to fight Morrell Jr., he said no. Berlanga wants Canelo, but that’s not going to happen next, and it’s unclear whether he’ll get the fight in September, either.

The Canelo Payday

Berlanga has to fight someone unless he wants just to sit idle and wait to see if Canelo chooses him for his September clash, provided the Mexican star wins his May 4th title defense against Jaime Munguia.

Jacobs’ career slowed to a crawl after he earned a big payday against Canelo in 2019. He’s fought only three times since then, beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Rosado before losing to Ryder.

Some boxing fans believe Jacobs’s huge payout, reportedly $10 million, for the Canelo clash stifled his ambition.