Edgar Berlanga Triumphs with First-KO of Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz

In a swift and decisive performance at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, Edgar "The Chosen One" Berlanga secured a first-round technical knockout against fellow Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz. This bout marked Berlanga's return to the ring following his unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez six months prior.

The fight commenced with both fighters gauging distance, but Berlanga seized control early. Midway through the opening round, Berlanga unleashed a powerful left hook that sent Gonzalez-Ortiz to the canvas. Although Gonzalez-Ortiz managed to rise, his stability appeared compromised. Berlanga capitalized on this advantage, delivering a right hand that resulted in a second knockdown. Despite Gonzalez-Ortiz's resilience in standing up again, Berlanga's relentless assault culminated in a third knockdown, prompting referee Chris Young to halt the contest at 2:31 of the first round.

With this victory, Berlanga improved his professional record to 23 wins, including 18 by knockout and one loss. Gonzalez-Ortiz, who entered the ring with an undefeated record, now stands at 20 wins, one loss, and one draw. Notably, Gonzalez-Ortiz had spent a decade away from professional boxing prior to two fights in 2024, raising questions about his readiness for a high-calibre opponent like Berlanga.

The bout was initially slated for the WBO NABO super middleweight title. However, Berlanga's failure to make weight—registering 169.6 pounds, 1.6 pounds over the super middleweight limit—resulted in the title being available only to Gonzalez-Ortiz. Post-fight, Berlanga expressed his aspirations for future high-profile matchups, mentioning potential bouts against Jaime Munguia, Jermall Charlo, and Caleb Plant.

Promoter Eddie Hearn acknowledged the mismatch in competition but remained optimistic about Berlanga's future prospects, emphasizing the importance of aligning him with more formidable opponents to facilitate his progression in the super middleweight division.