Eddie Hearn believes that the winner of Edgar Berlanga vs. Padraig McCrory could then go on to fight Canelo Alavrez.
Alvarez remains the undisputed super middleweight champion, and it is not yet established who he fights next, in his first bout of 2024, though he is traditionally active on the Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Berlanga’s last fight was a win over Jason Quigley, and his second fight with Hearn he will come up against the undefeated McCrory, shown live on DAZN on February 24.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing, Hearn believes that Berlanga needs to put on a ‘statement’ performance that propels him to bigger things.
“McCrory is a huge puncher,” Hearn said. “He’s told me that he’s 100% winning that fight. Edgar Berlanga needs a statement. It’s a real dangerous fight for both.”
Hearn thinks that the winner might be in line for a fight with Alvarez, or another huge star at 168lb, David Benavidez.
“The winner is going to put themselves in an unbelievable position. They could fight Benavidez, they could fight Canelo Alvarez. Massive, massive fight for both.”