Burgeoning super middleweight star Edgar ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga 16-0 (16) is ready to keep his knockout streak alive when he takes on Demond Nicholson 23-3-1 (20) over eight rounds at Silver Spurs Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old New Yorker has an impeccable record since turning pro five years ago, knocking out each and every one of his opponents in the opening round.
The late Ali Raymi holds the record for the most first-round knockouts in boxing history with 21. Edwin Valero and Tyrone Brunson both knocked out their first 19 opponents in the opening frame.
“I was born for this. To be a star,” the WBA number five and WBO number eight ranked contender told Metro.co.uk.
“I had the charisma as a young kid growing up, I wore the shades, I was always flashy but I always remained humble. I knew the time would come and it is here now.
“If I am putting the fear of God [into my opponents], it is better for me. Either way, I’m going in there and getting the job done whether or not he has fear in his heart or not.
“For me, I have got to do what I’ve got to do and that is handle my business. That is what I have done for 16 fights and that is what I’m going to continue to do.”
The 28-year-old Nicholson from Laurel, Maryland will be the latest boxer trying to see out a full minute against Berlanga.
“When we got the call, [I thought] that’s not a bad fight,” Nicholson said. “When we first got it, we turned it down. They called us in December or January. We turned it down.
“They didn’t offer the money that we wanted and then they called us back and we found a conclusion and the fight is happening.”
Nicholson has won five fights since being stopped in seven stanzas by Jessie Hart 26-3 (21) in Philadelphia three years ago.
“I’m not mentally in the same place I was three years ago, financially and everything,” Nicholson said.
“I was facing some hard demons that I’ve pushed away and pushed to the side, overcame, and now it’s time to work. It’s my time to shine.
“It’s going to be a boxing lesson. That’s all I can tell you.”
Berlanga, who is trained by Andre Rozier, says he understands the doubts around his upside.
“Right now, I feel like a lot of the critics are possibly doubting me. But I get it,” Berlanga continued.
“They haven’t seen me go past the first round so obviously there is a question mark over my head with a lot of things. If I can go the rounds. If I can dig deep if someone takes me to those deep waters and I can’t swim.
“There are a lot of things, but I know and my team knows, I’ve been boxing for 16 years and they know I’m capable of doing everything.
“Some of these guys [I fought] had never been knocked out before and I did it in one round. For me man, Saturday I am going to be 100 percent ready for whatever comes. We have worked extremely hard in camp for this fight and I’m ready for everything.
“I don’t have no fear in my heart. I will do what I do best.”
