Once the build-up is over and the lights go down, and there are just the two of them in the ring, Edgar Berlanga believes Padraig McCrory will feel different.
The unbeaten super-middleweight star (21-0 with 16 KOs) sent a chilling message to the Irish raider ahead of Saturday’s big showdown in Orlando, Florida (live on DAZN).
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Berlanga has already shown fighters from the Emerald Isle what they face when he meet him by putting Jason Quigley on the canvas four times en route to a decision victory.
Now the 26-year-old Edgar is looking to put himself in contention for megafights against the likes of ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. In some ways he feels he is already on that level.
Berlanga’s ‘Canelo’ comparison
He said: “It was a good fight with Jason. What you have to understand is what McCrory said that it’s a life-changing moment for him. So, these guys are never going to come like they do for any other fight, and it’s like that with Jason.
“He was in tremendous shape, I dropped him four times and he got crushed in that 12th round but he still got up, he had no quit in him.
“But these fighters come with a different mentality when they face me, like they do when they face the Canelo’s or the Benavidez’s, that’s the mindset that they have and you hear it in what McCrory is saying, this is a life-changing chance for him. Every fighter is going to feel like that against me.”
McCrory no pushover
McCrory at 18-0 also brings an unbeaten record to Saturday’s blockbuster, and despite his confidence Berlanga will not be taking this fight lightly.
“He’s my hardest test so far for sure. He’s undefeated, so he’s coming with a different mentality. He’s going to do anything to protect that ‘0’. I never overlook any opponent, I know he’s coming to fight, he has something to prove, and that’s what I like.
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“Every fight we’re stepping up and he is highly ranked, he’s unbeaten, he’s got the same number of fights as me and I think it’s going to be a good test.”
Berlanga is keen to put on a show on Saturday, and also believes that McCrory’s bravado will disappear the moment he feels leather.
A chilling message
“Once he gets touched, I think he’s going to get on his bike. I don’t think he’s going to stay there and want to exchange with me.
“But we are prepping for anything and everything. So, if he tries to run and move around, box, try to lure me in and throw a sneaky shot, we see that coming. And if he wants to stay there and trade, well, they call him ‘The Hammer’ so he’s supposed to be displaying that, so we’ll see.
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“My hands will do the talking on Saturday when I am pounding on his face, I hope he’s ready because I am coming with fireworks. When he sees me at the press conference and he looks into my eyes, he’s going to know what’s up.
“I’m about that action, I pray he comes healthy so we can put an amazing night on for the fans. I’m coming for blood. There’s going to be a lot of heat on him, and he better be prepared, because I’m looking to hurt him and knock him the f*** out.
“I love the Irish fans. My manager is Irish. But McCrory has to go, it’s over for him. They will call me the Irish Assassin.”
