Edgar Berlanga vs Jason Quigley fight breakdown
Puerto Rican sensation Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga (20-0, 16KO) defends his WBO NABO super-middleweight title for a third time to Ireland’s Jason Quigley (20-2, 14KO) on June 24 at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York.
The title may not be that familiar with UK fight fans, but it’s almost 30 years old and has been held by world champions such as Michael Nunn, Chad Dawson, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson and Andre Ward, so to win this belt puts the holder in esteemed company.
Trained by Manny Robles, Dominic Ingle and Andy Lee during his career, Ballybofey boxer Quigley has campaigned in the States since his 2014 pro debut at the MGM Grand on the undercard of Canelo’s tricky tussle with Erislandy Lara. Signed by Golden Boy Promotions, he has fought 20 of his 22 bouts in America; his last fight was a self-promoted event back in Ireland last April.
He has won NABF and WBO NABO middleweight titles, but fell short in his attempt for a world title to WBO 160lbs king Demetrius Andrade, who stopped the Irishman in two, in 2021.
It was 17 months later when he fought again, so this is just his second bout in 19 months and he’s jumping into the deep end with a dangerous puncher. Quigley is no stranger to the big stage, but the 32-year-old has been knocked out twice before already.
As an amateur, he was seasoned and successful, claiming a World Amateur Championship silver medal in 2013, as well as several European golds. At one stage in his amateur career, he went 18 months and 33 fights undefeated. He competed in the World Series Boxing for the LA Matadors, winning both bouts in 2011.
Berlanga also has an extensive career in a vest, first starting boxing aged seven, winning bronze, silver and gold medals in US National Championships. He accumulated an amateur record of 162-17.
The Puerto Rican potent puncher gathered 16 consecutive first-round KOs and his aim was to outdo Tyrone Brunson, who holds the record with 19.
It was WBC USA super-middle champion Demond Nicholson that ruined his world record attempt. The Maryland State champion was down in rounds two, three, five and eight, but miraculously survived the storm to go the full eight rounds. In Nicholson’s last fight, in January this year, he took Demetrius Andrade the full 10, where he also went down twice.
That fight not only ended the killer streak, but dried it up completely. Berlanga’s last four bouts have all gone the distance and the Puerto Rican was even floored by Marcelo Coceres in their 2021 fight. The youngster jumped in and got caught with an overhand right by the wily veteran from Argentina.
Despite the stoppages stopping, he has unanimous decisioned two American champions and two world title contenders.
Berlanga has a sharp jab, a fantastic overhand right, but it’s his swift, clubbing left and right hooks that are his mightiest weapons. He steps into a lot of his shots, especially his jab, which is how he can generate such power.
Despite his high aggression, always bubbling under the surface threatening to spill over, he is patient and poised, and takes his time. He allows himself room and rarely ever smothers his work.
Quigley is a sharp, seasoned contender with an outstanding pedigree behind him. He has a sharp jab and quick feet, but doesn’t move his head enough and can be caught. He has been stopped by two big punchers before, so he will need to produce the best performance of his life against the powerful Puerto Rican.
Betting Odds (Betway)
1/9 Edgar Berlanga
7/1 Jason Quigley
18/1 Draw
Predictions
Berlanga will be straight on the front foot against Quigley, who will be looking to keep the distance between them to wait for openings on the backfoot.
I can imagine the Irishman aiming to stay behind his sharp jab, using his fleet feet to keep on the move and to land hard counters when any openings are available.
Quigley has been stopped by punchers Tureano Johnson and Demetrius Andrade before, so I believe the same fate awaits him against Berlanga.
The American has always been patient, but since doing 38 rounds in his last four fights, he is even more content to take his time.
It’s possible that Quigley could land a big counter shot on Berlanga, but ‘The Chosen One’ has taken big shots before and stayed standing, even his sole knockdown saw him jump straight back up but only after he spent a second on the floor berating himself for being caught.
I don’t believe Quigley can hurt Berlanga enough to stop him and I can’t see him being able to last 30 minutes without being caught and hurt by such a big puncher.
I predict Berlanga to score a stoppage in the first half of the contest.
How to watch Edgar Berlanga vs Jason Quigley in the UK
