Mike Tyson 2.0? Super-middleweight fighter Edgar Berlanga is suspended for six months for BITING opponent Roamer Alexis Angulo earlier this month – with American also slapped with an £8,000 fine
- Pro boxer Edgar Berlanga has been suspended from the sport for six months
- The US star bit Roamer Alexis Angulo during their clash in New York this month
- The super-middle fighter was hit with a £8k fine in addition to his lengthy ban
Super-middleweight boxer Edgar Berlanga has been banned from the sport for six months after he sensationally bit his opponent Roamer Alexis Angulo during their fight at Madison Square Garden earlier this month.
American Berlanga has also been hit with a £8,000 ($10k) fine for his shocking behaviour, which was not picked up by the referee at the time of the incident.
The 25-year-old eventually won his match via unanimous decision, with scores of 98-92, 99-91, 99-91.
Known as ‘The Chosen One’, Berlanga is unbeaten in his career – with 20 straight victories, 16 coming by way of knockout – but this setback will cost him a place at a high-profile boxing event run by Top Rank and ESPN later this year.
When the incident was first put to Berlanga in the immediate aftermath of the fight, he brushed off the accusation and claimed Angulo had been ‘throwing elbows’, but said he was ‘about to do a Mike Tyson on him’ – referencing shock night when the heavyweight icon bit Evander Holyfield in 1997.
‘He was throwing elbows. I was about to do a Mike Tyson on him,’ he said. ‘He kept throwing his elbows, and I didn’t want to get cut.’
Edgar Berlanga, the unbeaten super middleweight contender, has been banned for six months and fined £8,000 ($10k) after biting opponent Roamer Alexis Angulo on the neck
The referee did not immediately pick up on the incident despite fans noticing it at the time
But just a day later he backtracked and offered an apology, saying he ‘got ahead of himself in the moment’ and admitted he had caused embarrassment.
‘I want to apologize for my actions and what I said yesterday about the Mike Tyson bite,’ he added on Twitter. ‘I was in the moment and I got a little ahead of myself. It doesn’t take away from the embarrassment that I have caused upon myself, my team, [Top Rank], and many others.
‘I reacted poorly and take full responsibility. Moving forward, I am going to be more mindful and encouraging in my behavior. Once again, I do apologize.’
Berlanga still won the fight to maintain his unbeaten streak but his bite will be hugely costly
The incident brings back memories of Mike Tyson’s infamous bite on Evander Holyfield in 1997
Berlanga apologised for his actions on social media, saying he had brought ’embarrassment’
When Tyson bit Holyfield in 1997 – their second heavyweight world title contest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, ‘Iron Mike’ was suspended for 15 months – as well as picking up a £2.5m ($3m) fine in what was one of the most bizarre incidents in the history of sport.
Berlanga’s bite came at a time when he was struggling against Angulo.
In the seventh round, Berlanga could be seen trying to bite Angulo’s neck and then his left ear.
Angulo immediately moved his head back and threw his arms in the air and put his gloves to his ear and in attempt to show the referee what happened.
A number of viewers commented on the move which saw Belanga bite Angulo’s ear and neck
The incident triggered shock reaction from fans, celebrities and fighters past and present on social media.
Former welterweight world champion Shawn Porter said: ‘A replay that should not have been shown! Smh Berlanga, that’s not what I meant about biting down!’
Current welter champ Terence Crawford, meanwhile, wrote: ‘Lol he tried to bite him.’
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