Edgar Berlanga steps back into the ring this Saturday, ready to shake off the dust from his last fight. The Puerto Rican boxer faces off against undefeated British fighter Hamzah Sheeraz at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.
Berlanga's been out of action for 10 months, last seen in a tough battle against Canelo Alvarez. That fight didn't go his way, with the judges scoring it 118-109, 118-109, and 117-110 in Alvarez's favor. Berlanga even hit the canvas in the third round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
But Berlanga's not letting that loss hold him back. He's got his eyes set on getting back into the world title picture. Before the Canelo fight, Berlanga was unbeaten and known for his big power. His last win came in March when he knocked out Jonathan Gonzalez Ortiz in the first round in Florida.
Sheeraz will make his debut in the 168lb super-middleweight division. He's got a perfect record so far with 21 wins, 17 of those by knockout. That's almost as impressive as Berlanga's 18 knockouts in 23 fights.
After their fight, Canelo had some choice words for Berlanga at the post-fight press conference.
"I say to him in the tenth or ninth round, 'you hit like my son'. He thinks he hits hard, but he hits like my son. But I'm super strong so that's why maybe."
Those words might give Sheeraz a confidence boost going into Saturday's fight.
Fans can expect an action-packed bout. Berlanga's promised to win by knockout, and with both fighters packing serious power, it could be anyone's fight.
The fight will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium, giving boxing fans a chance to see if Berlanga can bounce back or if Sheeraz will keep his undefeated streak alive.
