Edgar Berlanga, Hamzah Sheeraz Predict Knockout In High-Stakes Clash

Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) will be entering his 10th fight in New York and fourth time headlining a card in the Big Apple, though, none compare to the magnitude of his upcoming fight vs Sheeraz. Sheeraz's fight vs Berlanga will mark his first in the U.S.

Berlanga, 28, is coming off a devastating first-round knockout of an overmatched Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz on March 15 in Orlando. The first-round stoppage marked the 17th of his career.

Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) is coming off the first world title shot of his career, which ended in a disputed split draw vs WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames that many believed the latter won. Sheeraz announced wholesale changes to his career after the draw, as he's moving up to 168 pounds to face Berlanga and has hired Lee as his new trainer.

Sheeraz, 25, who had won 15-straight fights by knockout before facing Adames, also wasn't bashful about his intentions when he steps into the ring vs Berlanga.

“I’ll go out there, throw a few jabs, land a right hand straight on the chin and knock him the f*** out,” Sheeraz said.

A potential bout vs undisputed super middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs), should he get past former two-division undisputed champion Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) on Sept. 13, only adds to the stakes in Berlanga vs Sheeraz. For Berlanga, a rematch would be a chance to exact revenge for the lone defeat of his career, a unanimous decision loss to Canelo on Sept. 14 in a spirited effort.

For Sheeraz, an opportunity to face Canelo would give him a chance to become a crossover star if he's the one to dethrone the two-time undisputed super middleweight champion.

In a crowded super middleweight division littered with rising contenders who are in or beginning to enter their prime, the winner of Berlanga vs Sheeraz will have pole position to either face Canelo or lead the next wave of fighters at 168 pounds. And if their combined 35 knockouts in 44 wins are any indication, Berlanga or Sheeraz could stamp themselves as the guy at super middleweight in emphatic fashion.