Who’s the best opponent
Edgar Berlanga has faced? Well, one quick glance at his resume will provide you with your answer.
Canelo Alvarez is a pound-for-pound star, an undisputed champion and a future Hall of Famer, making him the easy pick. However, sifting through the rest of his opponents, it's difficult to figure out who sits as the second-best fighter he has faced.
In the eyes of most, that distinction will go to Hamzah Sheeraz after Saturday night. The two will officially swap fists at Ring III, a DAZN pay-per-view
hosted by The Ring at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.
Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs), a former highly ranked middleweight, has power and even more potential. But it doesn’t mean Berlanga thinks highly of him. So, when asked where he believes Sheeraz ranks on his opponent list, the New Yorker shrugged his shoulders before putting him lower than you'd think.
“Nah, I don’t think so,” Berlanga told
The Ring when asked if Sheeraz is his best opponent outside of Alvarez. “He’s a C-level fighter. He isn’t the second-best opponent I ever faced. He’s probably third or fourth.”
Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) is allowed to have his opinion. Sheeraz is fresh off a disappointing
split draw against Carlos Adames in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 22. And now he comes into this bout with something to prove.
He knows that bigger fights and even bigger paydays could be waiting for him on the other side of a Berlanga win. Conversely, the Puerto Rican understands that his profile and bank account could change dramatically if he picks up the win.
With so much on the line, Berlanga won’t waltz in lackadaisically. While he doesn't believe Sheeraz is incredibly dangerous, that won’t stop him from treating the Londoner with the utmost respect once the bell rings.
“I gotta focus on this fight,” Berlanga said. “He’s not on my level, but I have to stay focused.”