After being named 2020's prospect of the year by several publications, including Sports Illustrated and The Athletic, the Puerto Rican Mike Tyson was created. The 16 opponents Berlanga put to sleep in his first 16 fights were all journeyman fighters. The knockouts have stopped since Berlanga moved up. He bit a man.
Berlanga defeated Angulo in the main event of a Top Rank card at the Madison Square Garden. In his hometown of New York City, Berlanga showed a national audience just how short of a break he is.
There is a positive picture for the A-side fighter. Berlanga landed 58 of his power punches, but did not complete as many as Angulo.
Berlanga became the worst version of Iron Mike during the seventh round of his fight. Berlanga appeared to sink his teeth into Angulo's shoulder while he was holding him.
Berlanga said that his decision to chew on Angulo was conscious.
He was using his arms. Berlanga said he was going to do a Mike Tyson on him. I didn't want to get cut.
The judges had an interesting equation to factor in, but it didn't work out for Berlanga. Berlanga was allowed to finish the fight after his hangry behavior stopped. If the sport had a less tolerant governing body, his boxing license would have been suspended. His brand is in bad shape. The shine is waning for Berlanga. Since his knockout streak ended, Berlanga has won by decision in four of his last five matches.
Berlanga spoke to his limitations. Berlanga's boxing skills have had to take precedence over his knockout ability since he is no longer cracking open journeymen. His punches have all been found wanting. His bite was not a good Tyson imitation. Tyson broke Evander Holyfield's ear in a high-stakes title fight, while Berlanga had to resort to cannibalism to survive Angulo.
The damage to Berlanga's reputation is done even though he survived his main card. The prospect has been panned for his performance in the ring in recent victories and if Top Rank continues to push him into matches against stronger opponents, he will be heading for the type of devastating loss that permanently stains young fighters. Something has to change within the Berlanga camp as it feels strange to say that a fighter is undeserving of being perfect. His growth as a fighter has stopped. Judges have saved him in fights because of the hype. It may take him a while to get in over his head.
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