World title contender arrested in Florida on battery charges

Edgar Berlanga arrested on October 27 in Polk County, Florida

World title contender Edgar Luis Berlanga Jr. (24-2, 19 KOs) was arrested Monday in Polk County, Florida, on two counts of battery stemming from an incident alleged to have happened on October 18, 2026.

Brooklyn-born Berlanga, a 29-year-old resident of Lithia, Florida, was arrested by the Lakeland Police Department and charged with second-degree felony aggravated battery and first-degree misdemeanour battery.

In his Tuesday court appearance, bail was reportedly set at $16,000 and his arraignment hearing was scheduled for 8:45am ET on November 17. Berlanga will enter a formal plea at that time.

Berlanga is a super-middleweight champion, born in New York, but considers himself to "feel a hundred percent Puerto Rican".

Berlanga began boxing at the age of seven, gathering an incredible amateur record of 162–17 and medalled in four national championships. As a pro, he has won the NABO super middleweight title twice. He most recently fought on July 26 in NY, overcoming Steven Butler by seventh-round stoppage.

If convicted of felony aggravated battery, Berlanga could face up to 15 years in prison. He could be ordered to serve up to a year in prison for the misdemeanour battery charge.