Eddie Hearn gives Padraig McCrory a puncher’s chance against his unbeaten American star Edgar Berlanga
Edgar Berlanga’s promoter Eddie Hearn admits that Padraig McCrory is dangerous, giving the Irish underdog a puncher’s chance when the two super middleweights meet in the ring on February 24.
The undefeated 168lbs prospects will clash in the main event of Matchroom’s next card in Orlando, Florida this Saturday, live on DAZN.
On Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel, Hearn said: “The danger is the punch power of Padraig McCory, and the fact that he has absolutely zero fear and nothing to lose.
“[With McCrory] ranked ahead of Berlanga in pretty much every governing body, team Michael Conlan, team Jamie Conlan – they’re absolutely convinced he wins this fight by knockout.”
McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs) last stopped an opponent in October 2022, when he defeated unbeaten German contender Leon Bunn via a sixth-round TKO in his back yard, awarding him the vacant IBO world light heavyweight title.
Since then, he has gone the distance three times on the bounce, coming through his latest assignment against Steed Woodhall with a unanimous decision win over 10 rounds in August last year.
The WBA #3 has even said himself that he is just one punch away from winning this fight and setting up mega showdowns with the likes of Jaime Munguia, Diego Pacheco and the biggest fish of all, undisputed king Canelo Alvarez.
Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs), meanwhile, has gone his last five fights without stopping an opponent, after earning a reputation as a destructive puncher with his previous 16 wins coming by way of first-round knockouts.
However, the 26-year-old proved that he still has dynamite in his fists, scoring four knockdowns against his last opponent, Jason Quigley, enroute to hearing the final bell of his maiden 12-round bout.
So, both adopting aggressive come-forward styles, the fight this weekend is set to deliver an explosive encounter, with neither fighter giving an inch.
The winner then puts himself in prime position for a final eliminator, as Canelo Alvarez, who holds all four belts in the division, will be firmly on their radar.