Edgar Berlanga's career hit a major setback in a super middleweight bout against Hamzah Sheeraz. The fight, which took place on July 12, 2025, at Louis Armstrong Stadium, ended with Berlanga knocked out in the fifth round and rushed to the hospital.
Sheeraz dominated the match from the start. He knocked Berlanga down twice before the fifth round. The final blow to Berlanga's head in the fifth round ended the fight and left the 28-year-old boxer in need of immediate medical attention.
The aftermath of the fight painted a stark picture of boxing's harsh realities. Fans at the stadium noticed Berlanga's absence after the match. Fight Hub TV captured footage of Berlanga leaving the stadium in an ambulance, accompanied by his girlfriend Genesis Calderon.
Despite the severity of the knockout, Berlanga remained conscious. He was seen talking with a medical officer before the ambulance left the venue. This quick response to potential head injuries follows standard protocol in professional boxing, where fighters often go to the hospital after brutal matches.
The loss throws Berlanga's future in the super middleweight division into question. His hopes for a rematch against Canelo Alvarez now seem out of reach. This defeat could prove to be a turning point in Berlanga's boxing career, forcing him to reassess his path forward in the sport.
In the months leading up to the fight, both boxers had engaged in heated exchanges, building up expectations for an intense matchup. Berlanga had his sights set on climbing the ranks in the super middleweight division, with dreams of facing Canelo Alvarez again. However, Sheeraz's decisive victory has likely closed that door for now.
The image of Berlanga leaving in an ambulance serves as a stark reminder of boxing's brutal nature. It underscores the physical risks fighters face each time they step into the ring, risks that can alter careers and lives in a matter of minutes.
