Berlanga criticized for weak opponent choice in Florida

Edgar Berlanga's recent fight has sparked controversy in the boxing world. He returned to the ring last weekend after losing to Canelo Alvarez in September. Berlanga, known as "The Chosen One," had built a record of 22 wins, including 16 first-round knockouts. After facing Canelo, many expected Berlanga to take on a tougher opponent. Instead, he fought Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz, who had just come back from a 10-year prison sentence. Berlanga knocked him out in the first round, but the choice of Gonzalez-Ortiz raised eyebrows. Combat sports analyst Ade Oladipo criticized Berlanga's decision, calling it a "disgrace." He noted that Berlanga could have chosen a more competitive opponent, especially given the talent in the 168-pound division. Oladipo argued that if Jake Paul had made a similar choice, he would have faced backlash. This fight marked the end of Berlanga's contract with Matchroom Boxing, making him a free agent. There are discussions about his next fight, potentially against Caleb Plant, a former IBF champion. Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed optimism about this matchup, suggesting it would be beneficial for Berlanga's career.