Boxers Edgar Berlanga and Xander Zias saved them each undefeated on Saturday in New York, however their determination victories left them on very totally different paths.
For Zias, that is one other step in his improvement. At solely 19, he appears to be getting higher with each struggle, and his efficiency towards Quincy Lavalle was no totally different.
Alternatively, Berlanga was making an attempt to shake off the frustration of his October victory over Marcelo Esteban Cosiris. As an alternative, there’s nonetheless quite a lot of doubt about how far Berlanga can go after his victory over Steve Rolls.
This is what we discovered from Saturday night time’s battles:
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Berlanga did not impress
After constructing his fame as a knockout artist, Berlanga’s ultimate slide continued with an idle effort for the second time in a row. He took one other win by unanimous determination in 10 rounds at £168. In contrast to his struggle in October, Berlanga by no means fell or bought in bother, however he nonetheless did not impress – and this time, it occurred on an even bigger stage as he topped the ESPN tag at Hulu Theater in Madison Sq. Backyard.
Points have been plentiful for Berlanga. Rolls used his legs within the field from the skin, made a transferring goal, and Berlanga didn’t successfully lower by means of the ring. As an alternative, he walked at a really sluggish tempo as he adopted Rolls.
When Berlanga was able to assault, he typically did so with out the identical confidence that led him to 16 KOs within the first spherical in his first 16 matches. That model of winged haymakers berlanga with none regard for its security.
In his first match after each the knockout and surgical procedure to restore a torn bicep, Berlanga seemed to be hesitant when throwing his patented energy photographs.
He by no means unleashed a reckless recklessness and by no means threatened to banish Rolls. The fighter who was promoted as a KO machine now seems to be something however.
Berlanga is barely 24 years previous and nonetheless uncooked. He is solely cornered 44 rounds within the Execs, and there is nonetheless loads of time to progress and enhance his gear. However the subject is that it truly is an attraction, and preventing in the principle occasion means higher opposition.
Berlanga definitely is not prepared for anybody within the division’s high ten, and even the gatekeeper might be a bit an excessive amount of. Berlanga will in all probability take a look at somebody on the extent of Coceres or Rolls once more, however he’ll want a knockout quickly sufficient to rebuild his confidence once more in addition to the hype that when surrounded him.
Zias shines, however he is nonetheless in progress
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Edgar Berlanga makes a very good shot as he begins stepping up his assault within the ninth spherical towards Steve Rolls.
Xander Zayas is clearly a proficient prospect, and that is not simply due to his formidable bodily devices. Zias fights with persistence and self-discipline that contrasts together with his age (19) and inexperience (13 skilled video games).
Zayas (13-0, 10 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, rigorously picked and positioned his photographs throughout his lock-down win over Quincy LaVallais. When he offended LaVallais within the second spherical, he attacked Zias forcefully however not recklessly. He made positive to combine in some physique photographs and, most significantly, confirmed a better concentrate on head motion.
Zias was set to run eight rounds for the primary time in his profession and proved he had the stamina. What else did I show? Probably not a lot. In opposition to such an extreme opponent (LaVallais was out of the best way to lose to a prospect in Nicaragua), there weren’t many alternatives for Zias to indicate off his different expertise.
It was a one-sided beating of the opening bell, and LaVallais was very happy to soak up the penalty and survive. He hardly ever let go of his palms, as an alternative selecting to lie on the ropes and attempt to catch the incoming photographs.
Zayas remains to be a piece in progress, but it surely’s nonetheless getting higher. The easiest way for Zayas to return near realizing his potential is to step up his competitors significantly in his subsequent spherical.