Former WBO heavyweight champion reacts after Edgar Berlanga calls out Anthony Joshua despite massive weight difference
Former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs has reacted to Edgar Berlanga wanting to test his boxing skills at heavyweight.
Earlier this month, Berlanga attempted to secure a legacy-defining win against Mexican boxing legend Canelo Alvarez. The 27-year-old New York native came up short in the 12-round main event, with Canelo emerging victorious by unanimous decision to retain his super middleweight world titles.
Despite suffering his first loss, Berlanga has a bright future at 168 pounds. With that said, 'The Chosen One' isn't against testing himself in a way that nobody could have predicted, as he posted the following message on Z, formerly Twitter:
"I would love to go up to heavyweight and fight Anthony Joshua just to test greatness. Nothing bad towards this. I’ll walk in the ring 210lbs"
Edgar Berlanga's unexpected challenge was re-posted on Instagram by 'OvertimeBoxing.' Former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs took to the comment section and had this to say:
"Choose me Champ 👋🏽 I’m old. Easy work. #LETSGOCHAMP"
Last Saturday marked a special moment in Anthony Joshua's professional boxing career, as he headlined an event in Wembley Stadium that sold over 95,000 tickets. Things didn't go as planned for the former heavyweight champion, with Daniel Dubois pulling off the upset by fifth-round knockout.
As for Shannon Briggs, he last fought in 2016 when he knocked out Emilio Ezequiel Zarate. The 52-year-old likely won't be fighting in a professionally sanctioned bout again, leaving his record at 60-6-1 (53 KOs).
Edgar Berlanga reiterates that he has respect for Anthony Joshua despite callout
Anthony Joshua weighed 252 pounds in his latest fight against Daniel Dubois. Therefore, Edgar Berlanga would face a much larger opponent in his hypothetical side quest at heavyweight, which one fan took as disrespectful toward Joshua:
"Damn that Dubois fight got 168 pounders thinking it’s sweet with AJ now"
Berlanga responded by ensuring he respects Joshua:
"Never! Joshua is a f*cking animal"
Edgar Berlanga likely won't be fighting at heavyweight any time soon. Instead, the 27-year-old is expected to face a fellow 168-pound contender in his next boxing match, with undefeated Diego Pacheco being a potential opponent since they are both signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.