Brooklyn Boxer Edgar Berlanga Eyes WWE and Hollywood

Brooklyn boxer Edgar Berlanga is mapping out an ambitious career trajectory that extends far beyond championship belts, revealing aspirations to enter both professional wrestling and Hollywood while maintaining his focus on boxing success.

The 29-year-old knockout specialist discussed his multifaceted ambitions this week while promoting his upcoming bout against Steven Butler, scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at Madison Square Garden. Berlanga recently signed with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, a move he attributes partly to the UFC president's proven track record in athlete promotion and brand development.

"Dana made the UFC a brand. That's one thing that caught my eye when he came into boxing. He understands how to market, how to build fighters," Berlanga told TMZ Sports. The boxer expressed confidence in his ability to leverage this partnership into opportunities beyond the ring, stating, "I said, 'Yo, Dana, I'm gonna do my job. I'm gonna win, I'm gonna look good, I'm gonna catch these knockouts, and continue to build my brand. One day you'll probably call me like 'Yo, I got a spot for you to do some WWE.'"

The wrestling ambition is not merely aspirational posturing. Berlanga identified his friend Damian Priest as his dream tag team partner, highlighting existing connections within the professional wrestling community. The two have appeared together at public events, including the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City alongside WWE performer Lola Vice.

Berlanga's entertainment aspirations also encompass acting. He nearly secured a role in Creed III before an injury forced him to withdraw from the project. The boxer's positioning within the entertainment industry ecosystem may facilitate future opportunities, as William Morris Endeavor, one of Hollywood's most influential talent agencies, owns a controlling stake in TKO Group, which partially owns Zuffa Boxing.

However, Berlanga emphasized that all ventures outside boxing remain contingent upon continued success within the sport itself. The Brooklyn native launched his professional career with a remarkable streak, recording knockouts in his first 16 consecutive fights. As competition intensified, Berlanga faced setbacks, losing two of his last three bouts, including a defeat against Canelo Alvarez.

"I'm feeling amazing. I'm back better than ever," Edgar told TMZ Sports. "My sparring, my conditioning, I'm just on a different level. My mentality now, World Championship time."

The boxer indicated that his return to Madison Square Garden later this month will feature a special guest accompanying him to the ring, though he did not disclose the identity during the interview. The July 26 bout represents a critical juncture in Berlanga's career as he seeks to reestablish momentum following recent losses and position himself for championship opportunities.

For Brooklyn fight fans, Berlanga's upcoming performance at the iconic Manhattan venue offers an opportunity to witness whether the local fighter can translate his renewed focus and conditioning into the dominant form that characterized his early career. His success in the ring will ultimately determine whether his entertainment industry ambitions materialize into tangible opportunities.