Billy Joe Saunders Puts Edgar Berlanga On Notice
After two years of sitting on the sidelines, two-division champion “Superb” Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 KO’s) is ready to return to the ring. Or at least, that is what his recent social media call out of Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (21-0, 16 KO’s) would suggest.
In his last at bat, Saunders took on and was soundly defeated by undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez. The loss was very costly. Not only was it the first loss of his professional career, he was stopped and badly injured from a fractured orbital bone.
In the direct aftermath of the ordeal Saunders suggested it may be the end of the road. Now, it would seem that he’s thought better about the matter.
WHAT’S LEFT IN THE TANK?
For his part, Berlanga is fresh off his latest June 24 win over Jason Quigley. True enough, the heavy-handed Brooklynite still has a great deal of buzz around his name. At the same time though, his reputation has cooled off a great deal since his opening 16-consecutive knockout streak ended against Demond Nicholson back in April of 2021. Since then, Berlanga has collected five straight unanimous decision wins.
Ranked #5 (WBO), #6 (IBF) and #10 (WBC), Berlanga is very well positioned with the sanctioning bodies. Provided that a duel with Saunders was constructed, Superb would technically be the best opponent that The Chosen One has fought to date. Yet, since Saunders has been out of the ring for more than two years it would be a poor assumption to think that he will return in the same form that he left.
Therefore, first let’s see if Berlanga bites at this opportunity. If the fight gets some traction this should prove an eye-opening test for both athletes!
