Two divergent philosophies on boxing stardom are set to collide at a historic venue, highlighting a modern schism within the sport.
On one side is Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs), a fighter who believes marketability now trumps traditional accolades. “I’ve learned that in order to be a megastar in boxing, you can have all the medals and world titles you want, but if you can’t catch the people’s attention, you’re nothing in the sport,” Berlanga said. “Right now, I don’t have a world title and I make five times more than guys that got multiple world titles. That shows you don’t really need a title to certify your name.”
Berlanga, a flashy and brash super middleweight, champions a fan-friendly, aggressive style. He built his reputation on a streak of 16 consecutive first-round knockouts and argues that entertainment is paramount. “As long as you can fight, you’re entertaining the crowd, and you talk the talk and walk the walk, that’s the most important thing,” he explained. “I’m the only guy on this card that’s really bringing that entertainment to the sport.”
In stark contrast is Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs), a decorated champion who prioritizes substance over style. “I’m not talking bad and I’m not saying slurs with my speeches,” Stevenson stated. “Honestly, none of that matters at the end of the day. People are entitled to their opinion.”
Stevenson is a technically brilliant, three-division world champion renowned for his defensive prowess. However, his elusive style, which has led to fewer knockouts, has drawn criticism from some, including Riyadh Season promoter Turki Al-Sheikh, who likened his bouts to “Tom and Jerry” fights. As a result, Stevenson’s stardom has arguably lagged behind his considerable achievements.
Both 28-year-old fighters grew up locally—Berlanga in New York City and Stevenson in Newark—but their placement on Saturday’s card speaks volumes about the current state of boxing. The event, the first-ever to be held at Louis Armstrong Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, will feature Stevenson defending his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda in the co-main event.
Meanwhile, Berlanga’s non-title bout against Hamzah Sheeraz will serve as the main event, underscoring the idea that in today’s boxing landscape, attention is often more lucrative than accomplishment.
As the fight night approaches in the unique outdoor setting of a tennis stadium, Stevenson has promised to deliver a more compelling performance. “I will be the first person to fight at this stadium and I will be leaving my name on it,” he said. “William Zepeda is gonna bring out another side to me that the fans haven’t gotten a chance to see yet.”
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