The Theater at Madison Square Garden hosts top class boxing this Saturday evening, as Matchroom promote a card headed by the promotional debut of Edgar Berlanga. The Brooklyn man takes on Ireland’s Jason Quigley over a scheduled twelve rounds, with Berlanga’s WBA NABO super middleweight title on the line.
DAZN televise Berlanga vs Quigley live worldwide.
Berlanga (20-0, 16 KOs) started his career in emphatic fashion, with 16 consecutive first round knockout wins, but since then, he has found the going very much tougher as the level of opposition has increased.
Demond Nicholson took ‘The Chosen One’ the full eight rounds in April 2021, and he has been the full ten in his last three fights.
The 26-year-old was dropped by Marcelo Esteban Coceres before taking a points win to claim the vacant WBO NABO strap, and he has since defeated Steve Rolls and Roamer Alexis Angulo.
A statement win is needed, and Irishman Quigley (20-2, 14 KOs) could well provide that platform for him.
The 32-year-old does hold a 2021 win against Shane Mosley Jr, but was easily halted in two rounds by Demetrius Andrade in a WBO title tilt at middleweight six months later.
He was last out in April after nearly 18 months out, taking all ten rounds against Gabor Gorbics in Dublin.
Prediction: I think Berlanga has been given an ideal opponent for his Matchroom bow, and I expect him to dominate in a ruthless win inside the first four rounds.
Kownacki clashes with Cusumano
A man in need of a career renaissance is Adam Kownacki as he attempts to snap a three-fight losing streak with a heavyweight ten rounder against Joe Cusumano.
Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) lost twice to Robert Helenius by stoppage, and then over ten to Ali Demirezen.
Prediction: However he should get back to winning ways with a knockout win against Cusumano (21-4, 19 KOs), who lost inside a round to Daniel Dubois in 2021.
Mati meets Linger
The other ten rounder is at super lightweight, where Reshat Mati (13-0, 7 KOs) can stop Dakota Linger (13-5-3, 9 KOs) inside the distance.
Defence to attack 📈@Reshatmati1 ready to bring bad intentions to the ring on Jun 24 🐻#MatiLinger | @TheTheaterAtMSG | #BerlangaQuigley pic.twitter.com/DCEFWmp8Fi
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 13, 2023
Remaining Undercard
In eight rounders, Khalil Coe (5-0-1, 3 KOs) can stop Buneet Bisla (7-0, 3 KOs) at light heavyweight, and Yankiel Rivera Figueroa (3-0, 2 KOs) can outpoint Christian Robles (8-0, 3 KOs) at flyweight.
Khalil Coe ends it with a vicious uppercut 👊#RodriguezGonzalez | @autozone pic.twitter.com/NUPsvF0tqY
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 8, 2023
Welterweight prospect Pablo Valez (6-0, 5 KOs) can take another stoppage win in his six round contest with Argentina’s Demian Daniel Fernandez (14-4, 5 KOs), and at lightweight, Ofacio Falcon (9-0, 6 KOs) can do the same against Pedro Vicente Scharbaai (7-5-1, 2 KOs).
