Berlanga Explains Weight Issues Before Gonzalez-Ortiz Fight

Super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) has revealed the reason behind his weight miss ahead of his fight against Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz (20-0-1, 16 KOs).

At the official weigh-in before the March 15 bout in Orlando, USA, Berlanga came in over the 76.2 kg (168 lbs) limit by more than 700 grams (1.5 lbs), registering 76.92 kg (169.6 lbs). According to the Puerto Rican fighter, health issues leading up to the weigh-in were to blame.

"People don’t know, but I had the flu. I was dealing with health problems, and at one point, I thought, ‘Damn, man, I can’t do this.’ I always take the sport seriously, especially when it comes to my health. But what happened, happened—the fight is still on.

We could have pulled out of the fight because of the illness, but I’m a warrior. I’m stepping into the ring, and I’m putting on a show," Berlanga stated.

As a result of missing weight, Berlanga will not be eligible to win the WBO NABO title, which was set to be at stake.

In September, Berlanga suffered a unanimous decision loss to Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez, while Gonzalez-Ortiz is coming off a 7th-round knockout win over Edward Diaz in June.