Avila Perspective, Chap. 241: Puerto Rico’s Berlanga vs Ireland’s Quigley and More

Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga meets Ireland’s Jason Quigley.

It’s a perfect match.

The search for the next great male Irish fighter has long been a goal for promoters. It’s been hit and miss, but occasionally a John Duddy or Andy Lee comes along.

Promoters also seek the next great male Puerto Rican fighter. It’s not easy to replace a Miguel Cotto or Felix Trinidad.

The undefeated Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) crosses paths against Quigley (20-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday, June 24, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Both fighters have similar paths.

Years ago, Quigley was signed by American promoter Golden Boy Promotions but was unable to crack that glass ceiling that determines world champions. Knockout losses to Tureano Johnson and Demetrius Andrade derailed his world title aspirations.

“I know what can come from winning this fight and that’s what excites me. The only thing in my head is Edgar, not any other fighter, it’s just him and me Saturday night,” said Quigley.

Boricua Berlanga, though undefeated, was deemed not ready for prime time by his original promoter Top Rank. He felt otherwise and signed with Matchroom Boxing and now gets an opportunity to prove world title ready.

“I feel great, I’m ready to go. For me there are bigger fish out there, the GGGs, the Charlo’s, these are the guys I want to get in the ring with, I feel I am ready and seasoned to get in with them, but I must beat the s*** out of Jason Quigley this weekend, that’s what it is,” said knockout punching Berlanga at the press conference on Thursday.

Back in the 1950s and 1960s the battle between Irish and Boricua fighters was a common sight at Madison Square Garden. It was also common to see the two ethnic groups battle it out on the streets.

Ever heard of “West Side Story”?

Though Quigley comes from Ireland he probably knows enough about the history between Puerto Rican fighters and Irish. It adds an extra element to this fight.

“We’ve been going into the Lion’s Den since day one. I’ve handled hostile environments, it’s nothing to concern me,” Quigley said.

Berlanga expects a battle.

“People are trying to say Jason is an easy fight, but I know it’s a difficult fight, we’ve prepared well for that, he’s not going to stand in the middle of the ring,” Berlanga says.

Something’s Coming.

Showtime in Minneapolis

Middleweights highlight the card as Carlos Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) fights Julian Williams (28-3-1, 16 KOs) for the interim WBC middleweight title on Saturday. June 24, at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minn. Showtime will televise the PBC card.

Adames, a Dominican living in New York City, has several key wins over top contenders including Sergiy Derevyanchenko who gave Mexico’s Jaime Munguia a heck of a ride. Three other fighters were eliminated by knockout since losing to Patrick Teixeira.

“J Rock” Williams held three super welterweight world titles for a bit after defeating Jarret Hurd four years ago. He failed to defend it when he lost to Jeison Rosario. Now he is a middleweight and looking for an opportunity to prove his relevance.

It should be good.

Also, Argentina’s Fernando Martinez (15-0, 8 KOs) defends the IBF super flyweight title against Philippine’s Jade Bornea (18-0, 12 KOs).

Martinez beat long-reigning champ Jerwin Ancajas twice to prove he was the true owner of the 115-pound title. Ancajas had held the IBF title since September 2016 when he defeated McJoe Arroyo and had defended it nine times.

Now Martinez must fight another Filipino to retain the belt.

Super Flyweights in Japan

WBA titlist Joshua Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs) lost the title on the weight scale today (Friday) after weighing more than five pounds over the 115-pound weight limit. He can longer win that title when he meets WBO titlist Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday June 24 in Ota-City, Japan.

Franco and Ioka ended in a majority draw in their first clash last December in Japan.

Most fighters below 118 pounds have problems staying in the lower weight classes. Franco, 27, will probably need to fight in the heavier weight classes.

Thompson Fights in Ontario

Super lightweights Jesus Saracho meets Tarik Zaina in the main event at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario on Friday, June 23. The Thompson Boxing Promotions card can be seen on its Facebook page or web site.

Mexico’s Saracho (13-1-1, 11 KOs) meets Mexico’s undefeated Zaina (12-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

“Saracho has been in the ring and has beaten some top fighters. If I get him hurt, I’ll be looking to end the fight early,” said Tijuana’s Zaina, a Moroccan by birth, who is fighting in the US for the first time. “This will be a classic Mexican war!”

Fights to Watch

(All times Pacific Time)

Fri. www.thompsonboxing.com 7:45 p.m. Jesus Saracho (13-1-1) vs Tarik Zaina (12-0).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Edgar Berlanga (20-0) vs Jason Quigley (20-2).

Sat. Showtime 6 p.m. Carlos Adames (22-1) vs Julian Williams (28-3-1)

Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom

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