Edgar Berlanga has lost some luster from his profile in the court of public opinion.

After starting his career to a scorching hot start featuring sixteen consecutive first-round knockout wins, the super middleweight contender has fought to five straight unanimous decision wins. 

Berlanga (21-0, 16 KOs) is aiming to get back into the KO column when he takes on Padraig McCrory (18-0, 9 KOs) on Feb. 24 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando. 

“I don't give a damn what [the critics] think. I'm feeling stronger than ever and my body is looking different. I'm going to continue to win,” Berlanga told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “I feel that every fighter that fights me comes differently. They think if they beat me, they're inside the door for a big fight.

“I don't like talking about a knockout but I know that I have to dominate this dude this fight. I have to really make a statement. I'm not playing with this guy. I have to go in there and really handle business like I always do. People think the 16 first-round knockouts were a curse. It actually was a blessing. God gave me that gift to punch. People think I don't punch now. I still punch. [Scott] Quigley was a tough competitor and tough opponent. For him, I was his Canelo [Alvarez]. He knew that if he beat me he'd get a big-money fight. I knew he'd come in trying to look for a way to win.”

Berlanga has fought a total of 50 rounds in his last five fights after never seeing the second round for the first four years of his budding career. 

Berlanga is coming off a dominant decision win against Quigley in June, as he knocked down the durable Irishman four times. 

“With the last five fights going the distance, it's all experience,” said Berlanga. “I felt like I needed that. I got so much experience as a young fighter. To compete with elite fighters in that division you need that experience.” 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.