NEW YORK — Edgar Berlanga has a reputation and a violent one at that.

No one has kicked off their career with 16 consecutive first-round knockouts. Although he endured a two-year stretch where that streak ended and many questioned his true boxing level, the Puerto Rican got it going once more when taking on Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz.

Knowing what he was up against, Hamzah Sheeraz worked tirelessly over the last few months. Beating Berlanga would take a sound mind and granite chin, something he displayed this past weekend.

Berlanga stood in front of Sheeraz at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, at Ring III and let off several bombs. The bullish Brit visitor never folded and didn't wobble either. Once he noticed the brash-talking Berlanga had nothing for him, walked forward and violently got him out of there via 5th-round stoppage in their 'Ring III' main event.

Naturally, since this was Sheeraz's super middleweight debut, being able to deal with Berlanga's power comes to mind. But when asked if the New Yorker was the hardest puncher he has faced, the 26-year-old revealed exactly where he stands on the topic.

"Not at all," Sheeraz told The Ring recently. "Ammo Williams is the hardest puncher I've faced. He could whack. [Carlos] Adames can whack as well but Ammo? The boy can crack, I stand behind that."

Austin 'Ammo' Williams gave Sheeraz everything he could handle during their June 2024 showdown before succumbing to a 11th-round stoppage defeat. Reigning WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames gave him the fight of his life on February 22, forcing him to settle for a controversial split decision draw.

Sheeraz wouldn't say it verbatim, but does view Berlanga's power as a bit over-rated. On the other side of that, one of the 28-year-old's other weapons caught him off guard.

"His jab surprised me a lot, the hooks weren't so bad because I was expecting it and mentally ready but his jab surprised me - it busted up my nose but I adjusted."