Notebook: Berlanga fights Rolls having learned he can overcome adversity in ring

Zayas loves N.Y.; Rocha, Cobbs trash talk; Prograis back in action, Catterall lands new deal; Quick hits; Show and tell

Mar 19, 2022

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Hot-shot super middleweight prospect Edgar Berlanga faced his first adversity as a professional in his last fight and came through with a clear 10-round decision win against former world title challenger Marcelo Esteban Coceres despite tearing his left biceps in the third round and surviving the first knockdown of his career in the ninth round.

It was a lesson that every young fighter eventually has to learn, so Berlanga views his experience dealing with the injury and knockdown as something that had to eventually happen. He is pleased he had what it took to persevere.

After the fight, which was on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III undercard in Las Vegas in October, Berlanga had his biceps surgically repaired and now he is ready to return.

He will face Steve Rolls in a 10-rounder that headlines the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card on Saturday (ESPN/ESPN Deportes/ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET) at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

“It’s about adversity. In my last fight, I tore my biceps in the third round. I broke the guy’s orbital bone in three places,” Berlanga said on Thursday at the pre-fight news conference. “I would have stopped the fight in the 10th, but I got dropped in the ninth. So, for me, I just feel I needed that for my career. I needed that adversity.

“Every fighter goes through that in their career, especially being this young. I know I was going to come out of that adversity because having a torn biceps in the third round and fighting seven rounds like that.”

Berlanga (18-0, 16 KOs), 24, a Puerto Rican from Brooklyn, had surgery to repair the injury, trained in Las Vegas and is looking forward to fighting in front of a hometown crowd. A win will propel him into a June 11 fight, also at Madison Square Garden, on the even of the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York.

“A lot of fighters would have quit because the pain is just ridiculous,” Berlanga said of the torn biceps. “But I took it as it came. We got the victory. I won (the regional) NABO title, and we moved to Las Vegas, and now we’re here ready for Saturday.”

In Rolls, he faces an experienced veteran whose lone defeat came by fourth-round knockout to two-time middleweight titleholder Gennadiy Golovkin. The fight was contracted at 164 pounds and now Rolls, a career-long middleweight, is fighting Berlanga at 168 pounds.

“He’s a tough veteran. He went in there with the best,” said Berlanga, who has two decision wins in a row after scoring first-round knockouts in his first 16 fights. “And for me, I’m just looking forward to putting on a show. I’m ready to blow the roof off this place. I’m just ready to explode. It’ll be fireworks like always.”

Rolls (21-1, 12 KOs), 37, of Toronto, has won two fights in a row, both at super middleweight, since the loss to GGG, whom he tested before getting stopped. He said he plans to test Berlanga.

“I think he wants to step up and get closer to a world title shot. He wants a challenge,” Rolls said. “That’s why they chose me. I’m sure he could have taken an easier route. But, credit to him for picking an opponent of my caliber.

“I’m going to bring experience into this fight. I still got big goals that I have and that I need to accomplish. That’s all that fight was (against Golovkin). It wasn’t a fight where I was getting blown out or that wasn’t competitive. I made a mistake. He has experience. And I think that’s going to serve me well on Saturday night. I want to put a world title around my waist, so we both have pressure on us. He’s not the only one with pressure. This is a fight that we both need.”

Zayas in N.Y. state of mind

Junior middleweight Xander Zayas got a lot of attention in 2021 as a prospect of the year candidate after a stellar campaign in which he went 6-0 and stopped four opponents.

The 19-year-old Zayas is ready to kick off his 2022 campaign and aiming for another busy year that helps him build toward the eventual goal of a world title.

He will have his first scheduled eight-rounder against Quincy LaVallais (12-2-1, 7 KOs), 28, of Kenner, Louisiana, in the co-feature of the Berlanga-Rolls fight.

“After a very good year in 2021, my goals this year are to have at least four fights, keep moving up in opposition, and finish the year fighting in 10-rounders,” Zayas said. “I would love to win a regional title and finish the year in the top 15 of the junior middleweight division.”

Besides his in-ring goals, Zayas (12-0, 9 KOs), a Puerto Rican fighting out of Plantation, Florida, also wants to keep building his fan base in New York, where he will be fighting for the second straight time.

“Being back in NYC is something that excites me and motivates me at the same time,” Zayas said. “Fighting once again at Madison Square Garden and as the co-feature feels amazing. This is such a great opportunity. I'm super grateful for everything Top Rank and my team has done for me.

“In the not-so-distant future, MSG will be my second home, just like it was for Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad. I want to fill MSG up and bring a lot of glory to my people from Puerto Rico and New York. I want to give my fans a great show.”

Rocha, Cobbs beef

Welterweights Alexis Rocha and Blair “The Flair” Cobbs don’t particularly care for each other and made that plain as day this week as they get set to fight in the 10-round main event of the Golden Boy card on Saturday (DAZN, 9 p.m. ET) at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

It perhaps stems from Rocha’s accusation that when the fight was offered to each of them last fall, Rocha accepted and said that Cobbs would not take the fight.

“The fight was presented to him last November and we didn’t fight. It wasn’t my fault,” Rocha said to Cobbs at their fight-week news conference. “You’re acting like a clown here and there. Let’s remember, Blair. Just like there’s clowns in the circus, there’s also lions and tigers there too. Remember this face. You’re one fight from the commentary booth. You’ll be announcing my fights after this.”

Cobbs shot back that he was never offered the fight, and besides, he is fighting him on Saturday.

“There was no fight offered to me last November,” Cobbs said. “Am I the kind of person to turn down fights? Does Blair the Flair look like he gives a shit? I don't think so. I actually wanted that fight in November but we couldn’t make it happen. Finally, we made it happen. I did not hesitate to sign this contract. Then we waited for Alexis to sign. I’m looking for bigger and better fights.”

Rocha (18-1, 12 KOs), 24, of Santa Ana, California, and fellow southpaw Cobbs (15-0-1, 10 KOs), 32, of Las Vegas, were originally set to meet in the co-feature but were elevated this week to the main event when welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr. withdrew from his fight with Michael McKinson due to illness.

McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs), 27, a southpaw from England, remains on the card in the 10-round co-feature, but Jesus Antonio Perez (24-3, 18 KOs), 24, of Mexico, the original replacement Golden Boy secured, came to Los Angeles around 15 pounds overweight and was replaced by Alex Martin (17-3, 6 KOs), 32, a southpaw from Chicago, who has won four fights in a fight.

“It’s a dream come true to be here,” said McKinson, who is making his American debut. “Unfortunately some things happened on the card but I’m thankful I’m still fighting. The show goes on. I have a lot of people to thank for keeping me on the card. I wish Ortiz a speedy recovery. He’s a young man and health is everything. I had two choices. Spend the last three to four months working on my U.S. debut just to go home and not fight. I’m a fighter. I’m here, I want my U.S. debut. Hopefully, I can win some American supporters and impress people on Saturday night.”

Prograis back in action

Former junior welterweight titlist Regis Prograis has designs on major fights in the future but to put himself in position he needs to handle business against fellow southpaw Tyrone McKenna in their WBC junior welterweight title eliminator on Saturday (Fubo Sports Network) at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai.

The fight is the first for Prograis (26-1, 22 KOs), 33, of New Orleans, since signing in October with upstart promoter Probellum.

“I’m not training to beat Tyrone McKenna, I’m training to be a world champion again,” Prograis said. “I want to show that I’m elite and I’m the best in the world at 140 pounds.”

Prograis has won two fights in a row by knockout against lesser opposition — Juan Heraldez and Ivan Redkach — since losing a debatable majority decision to Josh Taylor in a unification fight in the World Boxing Super Series final in October 2019.

Prograis will soon move up to welterweight but he would like a major fight at junior welterweight before he leaves the division.

“In the near future I want the Josh Taylor rematch or the Gervonta Davis fight,” Prograis said. “If we can’t get one of those than we will reassess our direction. We’ll have to see what fights are at 147 pounds for me.”

Ideally, Prograis would like the fight against McKenna (22-2-1, 6 KOs), 32, of Northern Ireland, to be the first of three bouts this year. Prograis only had one fight in 2020 and one in 2021.

“The plan it to be active and fight three times this year but first I have to knock off McKenna,” Prograis said. “He’s trying to build himself up saying I’m washed at 33. Once we get in the ring, he will find out that he’s been lying to himself. I feel like I’m hungrier than ever.”

In the main event, Sunny Edwards (17-0, 4 KOs), 26, of England, will defend his IBF flyweight title for the second time when he faces Muhammad Waseem (12-1, 8 KOs), 34, of Pakistan.

Catterall signs with Probellum

Three weeks after junior welterweight contender Jack Catterall lost a controversial decision to undisputed champion Josh Taylor, he has signed with Probellum, the promoter announced during its card on Friday in Dubai, where Catterall was ringside.

Taylor was ruled the split-decision winner on Feb. 26, winning 114-111 and 113-112 on two scorecards with Catterall winning 113-112 on one, a decision that caused British regulators to investigate and downgrade the status of judge Ian John-Lewis, who had it 114-111.

Catterall will be paying close attention to Saturday’s fight on the second night of Probellum fights when former titlist Regis Prograis and Tyrone McKenna meet in a final WBC title eliminator. Prograis also is signed to Probellum and should Taylor vacate and move up in weight, as he said he plans to do, Catterall could wind up facing the winner for the WBC 140-pound belt.

“I will be ringside again on Saturday night here in Dubai, to watch Prograis against McKenna very closely and I really fancy a fight with the winner,” Catterall said. “I just can’t wait to get back in the ring and fighting again.”

Probellum president Richard Schaefer said he was pleased to be able to sign free agent Catterall.

“This is another huge moment for the Probellum business. Jack is the hottest signature in boxing right now and everyone was making moves to sign him,” Schaefer said. “(He) knows we are the right promoter to fulfill his clear ambition to become the undisputed world champion. I was absolutely stunned about what happened in Glasgow and there is no doubt in my mind that Jack should be walking around as the undisputed champion of the world right now.

“We feel his pain and Probellum will leave no stone unturned to make sure Jack quickly gets the chance to fight for the world titles that should already be his.”

Quick hits

Weights from New York for Saturday’s Top Rank on ESPN card: Edgar Berlanga 167.4 pounds, Steve Rolls 167.8; Xander Zayas 152.6, Quincy LaVallais 152.6; John Bauza 140.2, Tony Luis 140.8; Jahi Tucker 147.8, Tracey McGruder 147.8; Henry Lebron 130.6, Josec Ruiz 130.4; Bruce Carrington 129.8, Yeuri Andujar 129.6; Armani Almestica 139.2, Luis Valentin Portalatin 140.2; Kelvin Davis 143.6, Phillip Carmouche 144.8.

Weights from Los Angeles for Saturday’s Golden Boy card on DAZN (only fights on the stream): Alexis Rocha 146.8 pounds, Blair Cobbs 145.6; Michael McKinson 146, Alex Martin 147; Bektemir Melikuziev 171.6, David Zegarra 172; Evan Sanchez 149.8, Alejandro Munera 147.6.

Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos (27-0, 17 KOs), 25, and former featherweight titlist Lee Selby (28-3, 9 KOs), 35, of Wales, will meet March 26 at famed Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina in an IBF lightweight eliminator that will put the winner in a mandatory position for one of unified champion George Kambosos’ belts. Selby is headed on the road because Lemos representative OR Promotions won a purse bid for $201,660 to beat Matchroom Boxing’s $115,111 bid. Lemos gets 60 percent ($120,996) and Selby 40 percent ($80,664). If Selby wins he’ll be in line for a potential rematch with Kambosos, who outpointed him in a 2020 eliminator. The fight will be Selby’s second outside the United Kingdom. He fought in the United States in 2015.

England’s Frazer Clarke (1-0, 1 KO), 30, who claimed a super heavyweight bronze medal at this past summer’s Tokyo Olympics, has been forced to withdraw from a six-rounder against Spain’s Gabriel Enguema scheduled for the March 26 Boxxer card at the OVO Wembley Arena in London. Clarke, who scored a first-round knockout in his pro debut on the Feb. 19 Kell Brook-Amir Khan undercard, suffered a hand injury during a sparring session and has had surgery. He won’t be able to punch for six weeks and he is expected back in the ring in 10 to 12 weeks. “I’m gutted to sustain this injury, but it’s part and parcel of boxing and these things happen through no fault of anyone,” Clarke said. “I’ve now been fixed up, operated on. The operation went really well and I’m healing well. I’ll come back stronger and I’ll use this time really well to develop in other areas.”

Some of Top Rank’s prospects will appear on the ESPN+ stream of preliminary bouts on Saturday (7:15 p.m. ET) on the Edgar Berlanga-Steve Rolls undercard in New York, including flashy Brooklyn featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (2-0, 1 KO), 24, who will have his first hometown fight against Yeuri Andujar (5-4-1, 3 KOs), 26, of the Dominican Republic, in a six-rounder at junior lightweight to accommodate late replacement Andujar. Also in prelims: Long Island welterweight Jahi Tucker (6-0, 4 KOs) versus Tracey McGruder (6-1, 4 KOs), of Rochester, New York, in a six-rounder; Puerto Rican junior lightweight Henry Lebron (14-0, 9 KOs) against Honduras’ Josec Ruiz (23-5-3, 16 KOs) in an eight-rounder; and junior welterweight Kelvin Davis (3-0, 2 KOs), of Norfolk, Virginia, face Las Vegas’ Phillip Carmouche (2-2) in a four-rounder.

Matchroom Boxing announced two cards that will take place in Spain and stream on DAZN: Junior welterweight Sandor Martin, who moved up to welterweight for one fight and upset Mikey Garcia via majority decision in a shocker in October, returns to 140 pounds for a hometown fight at the Palau Olímpic Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona on April. 1. Martin (39-2, 13 KOs), a 28-year-old southpaw, will face Jose Felix (39-5-1, 30 KOs), 29, of Mexico. On May 20, all-action junior middleweight Kerman Lejarraga (34-2, 26 KOs), 30, of Spain, will fight at Bilbao Arena in his hometown of Bilbao when he faces James Metcalf (21-2, 13 KOs), 33, of England.

Weights from Kyoto, Japan for the Shinsei Promotions main event on Saturday: Masamichi Yabuki 107.6 pounds, Kenshiro Teraji 107.4 (rematch for Yabuki’s WBC junior flyweight title).

Show and tell

The prime Manny Pacquiao was a virtually unstoppable force as he ran roughshod over one future Hall of Famer after another as he moved up the scale from featherweight to junior middleweight to win titles in six of his record eight weight classes. He beat the Erik Morales twice, Marco Antonio twice, Juan Manuel Marquez (OK, not roughshod in any of his wins in their four-fight series), David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley. But the one guy who had one glorious night against Pacquiao and handed him a clear decision loss in a fantastic fight just before Pacquiao’s historic run was Morales in Pacquiao’s first fight at junior lightweight.

It would be the last big win of Hall of Famer Morales’ great career. Pacquiao would knock him out in their second and third fights, but going into their first bout, Morales was coming off a very close and debatable majority decision loss to rival Barrera in their trilogy fight and Pacquiao was the favorite. However, Morales summoned all the guile, heart and firepower he could muster and narrowly outpointed Pacquiao in a fight of the year contender, winning 115-113 on all three scorecards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This was supposed to be my first fight at ringside after I began working at ESPN, but I got quite ill a few days beforehand and missed the fight. I missed a great one and watched on HBO PPV. I may not have been on hand for the bout, which took place on March 19, 2005 — 17 years ago on Saturday — but I do have this extremely rare site poster (possibly one of a kind) that hung in a light box at the MGM Grand during fight week in my collection.

More show and tell

Before Floyd Mayweather and Diego Corrales met in their heavily anticipated junior lightweight championship fight — and Mayweather dominated and stopped him in what I consider the finest performance of his great career — they were on a collision course. Their promoter, Top Rank, and HBO were building toward the eventual showdown and part of that was an HBO doubleheader on which they both defended their belts in separate bouts at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where they would eventually fight each other. Corrales crushed Derrick Gainer in the third round to retain his title in the co-feature and Mayweather pitched a near shutout of Goyo Vargas to retain his title in the main event. That card was on March 18, 2000 — 22 years ago on Friday. Here is a program from the show in my collection.

It wasn’t the biggest doubleheader ever but the date is highly significant in my life. It was on the day of that card that I left upstate New York and my local newspaper sports writing job and moved to Northern Virginia. I got to the hotel I would live at for the next month or so in time to watch the HBO broadcast and the next day I went to the office for my first day on the job as the national boxing reporter for USA Today.

Berlanga-Rolls photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank; Zayas photo: Top Rank; Rocha-Cobbs photo: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy; Prograis photo: Tom Hogan/Probellum; Catterall photo: Probellum

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