Edgar Berlanga: Free Agency & leaving Top Rank

Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga has parted ways with Top Rank and now is a free agent on the hunt for a new promoter.

Arguably one of the most talked about super middleweights that isn’t Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez or one of the champions, recently became a promotional free agent. 25-year-old Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga (20-0) parted ways with promoter Top Rank which was described as a mutual separation due to differences in opinion.

Berlanga is a lightning rod for chatter and/or criticism, as he made a name for himself early on with his knockout streak. One thing about boxing fans and casuals is that they love to see big knockouts, and Berlanga provides that at every opportunity. When it was time to step up the level of competition, he ran into a bit of a wall. The fight in April of 2021 against Demond Nicholson began what fans have called “being exposed.” Although Berlanga was impressive, there were moments when Nicholson was able to succeed, and these openings led to future opponents being able to capitalize off of things they saw in that fight.

In the next fight, Berlanga was dropped in the ninth round against Marcelo Coceres for the first time in his career. Berlanga won by unanimous decision but would, later on, say he was injured in the fight. His 2022 campaign saw back-to-back unanimous decision victories against veteran super middleweights, which made fans wonder if the knockout streak was more of great matchmaking than performance.

Now that Edgar Berlanga is a free agent, where will he plant his flag next?

As all of this was going on, Berlanga did not make it a secret that he felt his profile had risen to star level and that not only should he be in the driver’s seat when it comes to picking his opponents but that he should be compensated more than he has in the past. Berlanga would comment on social media like “back up the brinks truck,” which alluded to him wanting more money. Although Top Rank felt like they were moving at the right pace, it appears that Team Berlanga didn’t feel the same, so they decided to part ways making him a free agent.

Berlanga was recently on The DAZN Boxing Show, where he spoke to Ak & Barak about all things surrounding his free agency and the different options he has. Berlanga told Ak & Barak, “I feel like right now I’m in a situation where I want to prove myself. They (Top Rank) were giving us options (fighters) that we didn’t like. We wanted to fight a guy like John Ryder. His team (Ryder) wanted it, I wanted it, and obviously, it didn’t happen. I want to prove that I am the best at 168.”

‘The Chosen One’ continued, “They (Top Rank) were trying to slow me down. I just want to continue to grow as a fighter. I feel like I’m not a co-main event fighter. I sold out the Hulu Theater (Madison Square Garden). I did amazing numbers and fought top-level opposition. I’m in a situation right now where I feel like I’m ready for that step up. I tip my hat off to them (Top Rank). It’s business at the end of the day.” Berlanga is right; boxing is a business and not one that lasts for a long time, so there is an argument to be made that trying to maximize his situation and bet on himself is the right move to make.

Similar to free agents in other sports, Berlanga is making his rounds and getting the “steak dinners” as other promoters try to lobby what they could do for him in an effort to sign the Brooklyn contender. Photos are floating around from his manager Keith Connolly on a private jet with Matchroom Promoter Eddie Hearn to Berlanga being with his father and Oscar De La Hoya. His services will be in demand as his name carries some weight, whether you like it or not as the super middleweight division is starving for some fresh faces matched up for big fights.

How is Berlanga processing this uncharted territory of being a sought-out free agent? Berlanga smiled and said, “I’m just happy to be in this position. I feel like I’m a hot chicken in Hollywood, and everyone wants it.“ Berlanga has big dreams he wants to achieve, and a fight with ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is at the top of the list. Who will Berlanga end up signing with? It’s hard to say as there are options at PBC and DAZN, but whoever does land him will undoubtedly have to empty the bank account to have his picture next to their company logo.