Edgar Berlanga continues KO streak, stopping Eric Moon in round 1

Power-punching super middleweight Edgar Berlanga kept the KOs coming against Eric Moon via a round 1 stoppage on Tuesday, July 21. 

One of the primary storylines headed into the Top Rank on ESPN Tuesday, July 21, fight card was if super middleweight Edgar Berlanga could keep his knockout streak alive.

The answer was a booming, “yes!”

Berlanga, 23, (14-0, 14 KOs), of Brooklyn, New York, came into his bout with Eric Moon (11-3, 6 KOs) with 13 consecutive wins via round 1 knockouts. Moon hoped to escape the fate of Berlanga’s previous opponents, but he didn’t stand a chance.

Berlanga is being brought along slowly but surely by trainer Andre Rozier. His resumé isn’t the strongest, but he’s a young fighter that hasn’t gone beyond the first round. He hasn’t needed to because of his power.

Coming into their meeting, Moon was rated as the 99th-best super middleweight in the world by Boxrec.com. He had two losses on his record but was well above 500.

Edgar Berlanga is a punishing puncher, and he proved that once again against Eric Moon. It will be interesting to see him go past round 1.

In round 1, Moon tried to rush Berlanga, but he quickly retreated and was on his back foot for the remainder of the brief contest. Berlanga trapped on the ropes several times and winged left and right hooks to Moon’s body.

Moon briefly escaped and tried to box on the outside but got stuck on the ropes again. This time, Berlanga made him pay.

Berlanga threw a right hook that moved Moon’s left hand away from his head and followed with another piledriving right to Moon’s temple that sent him crumpling to the canvas.

Moon rolled around on the ground with no hope of getting to his feet. Berlanga’s record and KO streak remained perfect as he mesmerized with another victory. It only lasted a little over a minute.

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During the post-fight interview, Berlanga explained how he used his prior knowledge to help win this fight.

“It was another step up fight for me,” said Berlanga. “I was very well prepared for him because we was in the amateurs together. We was in the Olympic Trials together, so I remember him.”

Despite the win, Berlanga is realistic about where he is skill-wise and realizes that he needs more experience as a professional.

“I’m looking forward to a title, but I still want to grow,” said Berlanga.

Maybe one of these days, someone will push him past the second round. Until then, look for the knockouts to multiply.