In a shocking turn of events, rising star Edgar Berlanga announced his retirement from boxing following a devastating loss to Canelo Alvarez.
The young fighter, once hailed as a future world champion, saw his undefeated record shattered in a high-profile bout that left fans and experts stunned.
Berlanga’s decision to hang up his gloves after the defeat has sparked a wave of reactions throughout the boxing community, with many expressing disappointment and lamenting the loss of a promising career.
Edgar Berlanga entered the ring against Canelo Alvarez with high hopes, looking to make a statement against one of boxing’s all-time greats. However, the fight did not go as planned. From the opening bell, Canelo’s experience, technical prowess, and ring intelligence were on full display. Berlanga, known for his knockout power, struggled to land meaningful shots against Canelo’s defense and found himself outclassed in nearly every round.
By the time the final bell rang, Berlanga had suffered a lopsided decision loss, with many fans and pundits calling it the most humbling defeat of his career. Canelo’s ability to neutralize Berlanga’s offense and impose his own game plan left the young fighter visibly frustrated, and the post-fight press conference only added to the emotional weight of the night.
Just days after the loss, Berlanga took to social media to announce his retirement from the sport. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his love for boxing but admitted that the loss to Canelo had forced him to reevaluate his future.
“I gave everything I had, but sometimes that’s not enough,” Berlanga wrote. “Losing to Canelo was a humbling experience, and after reflecting on my career, I’ve decided to step away from the sport. I want to thank all my fans, my team, and everyone who believed in me. This isn’t the end for me as a person, but it is the end of my journey in boxing.”
Berlanga’s announcement was met with shock, as many had expected the young fighter to rebound and continue his climb in the sport. At just 26 years old, Berlanga’s decision to retire so early left fans and experts wondering what could have been.
The news of Berlanga’s retirement has prompted strong reactions from within the boxing world, with many experts expressing their disappointment over his decision. Former champions, trainers, and analysts alike have weighed in on the situation, lamenting the premature end of what seemed to be a promising career.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who had previously worked with Berlanga, expressed his surprise at the announcement. “It’s such a shame,” Hearn said in an interview. “Edgar is a talented fighter with a huge fan base. He has power, charisma, and the potential to be a star in this sport. I think he’s making this decision too quickly. Everyone takes a loss at some point in their career, and Canelo is one of the best in the world. I hope Edgar reconsiders and gives himself time to heal mentally and physically.”
Veteran trainer Teddy Atlas echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that losses are part of a fighter’s growth. “Boxing is a tough sport, but you can’t let one loss define your entire career,” Atlas commented on his podcast. “Berlanga has a lot of talent, but the mental game is just as important as the physical. To lose to someone like Canelo is no disgrace; it’s a learning experience. He needs to take some time, regroup, and come back stronger. It’s sad to see him step away like this.”
Former world champion Andre Ward, known for his own undefeated career, weighed in on the psychological toll that losses can take on a fighter. “This sport is brutal, not just physically, but mentally,” Ward said. “Berlanga’s decision to retire is his own, and I respect that. But I hope he doesn’t feel like this loss defines him. Fighters go through ups and downs, and sometimes the hardest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves. I wish him the best, but I believe there’s more he can achieve in boxing.”
One of the recurring themes in the reactions to Berlanga’s retirement is the pressure that young fighters face, especially when they are quickly thrust into the spotlight. Berlanga’s early career was marked by an impressive knockout streak, which earned him a reputation as one of boxing’s most exciting prospects. However, with that success came heightened expectations, and the pressure to live up to the hype only grew as he progressed.
“Edgar was carrying the weight of a lot of expectations,” said veteran boxing analyst Dan Rafael. “When you’re knocking guys out early in your career, fans start to expect that every fight is going to end with a highlight-reel finish. But boxing doesn’t work that way, especially when you step up to fight elite-level opponents like Canelo. The loss clearly hit him hard, and I think he felt like he had let people down.”
Others pointed to the mental toll that comes with maintaining an undefeated record in boxing. “There’s a lot of pressure to stay unbeaten,” noted former champion Timothy Bradley. “When you take that first loss, it can shake your confidence and make you question everything. Berlanga was in the spotlight, and he probably felt like he had to be perfect. A loss like that can feel like the end of the world, but it’s really just a setback. I hope he finds peace with whatever decision he makes.”
Berlanga’s decision to retire has also sparked reactions from his fans, many of whom took to social media to express their support for the fighter. While some were disappointed by his early retirement, most fans praised Berlanga for his contributions to the sport and wished him well in his future endeavors.
“You gave us some great fights, Edgar,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “We respect your decision and hope you find happiness outside the ring. You’ll always be a champion in our eyes.”
Others expressed sadness at the thought of never seeing Berlanga fight again, with many pointing to his potential as a future champion. “I really thought Edgar was going to be the next big star in boxing,” another fan posted. “It’s a shame he’s retiring so soon. He still had so much left to prove.”
