Philippines, 21 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Roll On: Edgar Berlanga Defeats Steve Rolls

PhilBoxing.com





NEW YORK (March 19, 2022) — Edgar Berlanga sold out the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden to the tune of 5,158 fans. Berlanga prevailed via 10-round unanimous decision (96-94 and 97-93 2x) over Steve Rolls in his main event debut.

It wasn't the sterling knockout Berlanga sought, but it was an important step forward for the Brooklyn native. Berlanga (19-0, 16 KOs) tore his biceps last October against Marcelo Esteban Coceres and spent the last 12 weeks training in Las Vegas.

The biceps injury did not flare up, as Berlanga stalked the Canadian veteran. Rolls had pockets of success, especially with right hands to Berlanga's midsection. Berlanga closed the fight strong, winning the final two rounds on all three judges' scorecards.

He now moves forward to a potential June 11 date.

Berlanga said, "You could tell that he was fighting scared. Every time I reached in or threw something, he’s pulling back, running the whole fight.

"I was looking for a big shot. My corner was telling me use a jab. My elbow was bothering me a little bit. But I’m just happy we got the victory and moving forward.

"My elbow starting hurting me in like the second round but no excuses. We got the biceps torn in the last fight, came back in four months and got to it."

Zayas Blanks LaVallais

Xander Zayas was dominant in the junior middleweight co-feature, shutting out New Orleans-based veteran Quincy LaVallais over eight rounds (80-72 2x and 80-71). Zayas, the 19-year-old phenom from San Juan, Puerto Rico, excelled in his first scheduled eight-rounder, applying the pressure early and never letting up.

Zayas (13-0, 9 KOs) nearly scored the stoppage in round two, as he had LaVallais (12-3-1, 7 KOs) pinned against the ropes for the whole round. He landed 54 punches in that stanza, but LaVallais' granite chin blunted Zayas' power. By the fifth, LaVallais was marching forward, if not banking rounds.

Zayas kept the barrage going in the later rounds, and LaVallais received a moral victory of sorts in surviving the distance. Zayas outlanded LaVallais at a nearly 4-1 clip, 262-66.

Zayas said, “I need this type of experience. Eight rounds against a tough opponent will only help me as I move forward in my career.

“The plan is to come back June 11 at The Garden on Puerto Rican Parade Weekend. That’s a special weekend for Puerto Ricans, and I am proud to represent my people.”

Junior Welterweight: John Bauza (17-0, 7 KOs) UD 8 Tony Luis (29-5, 10 KOs). Scores: 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. Luis applied his typical pressure, but that wasn't enough to upset the apple cart against the rising Puerto Rican star. Bauza used his southpaw jab and quick-trigger combinations to blunt the Luis attack.

Welterweight: Jahi Tucker (7-0, 4 KOs) UD 6 Tracey McGruder (6-2, 4 KOs). Scores: 60-54 and 59-55 2x. Long Island native Tucker tried everything he could, but the stubborn McGruder withstood the onslaught. He turned southpaw at times and attempted to lure McGruder to the ropes. After six rounds, McGruder was still standing, and Tucker had to settle for the near-shutout.

Junior Lightweight: Henry Lebron (15-0, 10 KOs) TKO 7 Josec Ruiz (23-6-3, 16 KOs). It took Lebron nearly seven rounds, but the Puerto Rican contender became the first man to knock out the Honduran veteran. Lebron laid a beating on Ruiz, but he finally staggered him in the seventh, prompting referee Benjy Esteves to stop the fight.

Junior Lightweight: Bruce Carrington (3-0, 2 KOs) KO 5 Yeuri Andujar (5-5-1, 3 KOs). Carrington, the latest knockout puncher from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, knocked Andujar out cold with left hook. The Dominican veteran gave Carrington the most competitive run of his young career, but it was mostly one-sided traffic that ended in devastating fashion.

Carrington said, "I want to thank Brownsville and all of Brooklyn for coming out to support me. Fighting as a pro at Madison Square Garden was a dream come true. This is only the beginning."

Junior Welterweight: Armani Almestica (5-0, 5 KOs) TKO 3 Luis Valentin Portalatin (3-4, 1 KO), 1:57. Almestica brought a vocal contingent to the Hulu Theater and battered late replacement Portalatin until referee Eric Dali stopped the fight.

Junior Welterweight: Kelvin Davis (4-0, 3 KOs) TKO 1 Phillip Carmouche (2-3), 1:17. The eldest of the Fighting Davis Brothers from Norfolk, Virginia, Kelvin notched the first first-round knockout of his burgeoning career. Carmouche offered little resistance, and Davis pounced with a pair of knockdowns. The finishing blow came courtesy of a right hook as Carmouche was slumped against the ropes.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Thursday’s Action Featured Stellar Showings at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Finals Go All the Way to Game 7 as Indiana Bludgeons Oklahoma in Game 6, 108-91
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Araneta Loses on Points in Odd Judging Setup; Still no Japanese World Welterweight Champion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Espinas, Cao Make Weight, Ready for WBC Asia Battle Saturday in China
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • ASAPHIL Taps World-Class Coach to Lead RP Blu Girls to Greater Heights
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Set for Homecoming Versus Kamil Gardzielik
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • DUARTE VS. SIMS JR. TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Day Three Finalized at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Normel De Jesus rules IIEE Central Luzon Region leg chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Thanongsak Simsri Edges Christian Araneta by Split Decision, Claims IBF 108 World Title; Could Vayson Be Simsri's First Challenger?
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Tokyo Fist: Brian Norman Jr. KOs Jin Sasaki to Retain Welterweight Crown
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Araneta Scores Knockdown But Loses Title Bid to Simsri by Split Decision
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Indiana Must Control Jalen Williams, Challenge at Slot to Extend Series
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Intensity Builds as Barrios Warns of Bad Intentions, Potential Future Fights, and Expert Takes Dominate News Cycle
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Tickets On Sale Now for “Night of Champions” July 18 Live on DAZN from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated Boxer Dante Kirkman Makes History as First Pro Fighter to Graduate from Stanford University
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Day Two Concludes
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • WBC Legends of Boxing Museum reopens on June 22 in Los Angeles
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • AFBC Extraordinary Congress declared invalid: Former Board's authority nullified
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Winners of 2025 UTP Elite Eight Playoffs Named; 18 Junior Tennis Standouts to Represent PH in International Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Tokyo: Christian Araneta 107.6, Thanongsak Simsri 107.1 for Vacant IBF Light Flyweight World Title
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Brian Norman Jr. vs. Jin Sasaki
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.