Edgar Berlanga has labelled Billy Joe Saunders as a “joke” following their social media spat.
Berlanga posted a direct message from Saunders who asked whether he’d be available to fight, as he plots his return to the ring, describing ’The Chosen One’ as a “bum”.
The Brooklyn man threatened to beat up the Brit after making reference to the eye he damaged in defeat to Canelo Alvarez in May 2021.
“He’s a f****** muppet,” the 26-year-old told Matchroom Boxing when describing Saunders.
“That dude is a clown, man.
“He hit me up at like four in the morning. I know the time difference is different from England and over here, but he he hit me up.
Stop capping pic.twitter.com/gvj2OtM3w0
— Edgar Berlanga Jr (@EdgarBerlangaJr) June 14, 2023
“He started talking crazy.
“But I know him. He’s a joke, he’s a character.
“He likes to sell fights. He likes to talk s*** and do his movie.”
The former two-weight world champion has not fought since losing to Canelo in Texas, but has been in training in Ben Davison’s gym for a number of months.
Berlanga, who tackles Jason Quigley at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, admits he is flattered to have the 33-year-old call him out.
Matchroom Chairman, Eddie Hearn who promotes both men, named Saunders as a potential next opponent for Berlanga earlier this week, providing he beats the Irishman in New York.
“I’m just glad that I’ve got those type of people hitting me,” he added.
“It really goes to show what type of fighter I am.
“Him. I had Rocky Fielding hitting me too. Another dude. He was just DM’ing me all sorts of crazy stuff.
“I’m like, ‘all these guys are crazy,’ but I’m just excited man.
“To have a guy like him that was you know ex-world champ hitting me, DM’ing me, wanting to fight me, it’s like I see where I stand, man.
“Me not having a title, I’ve still got a target on my back, so it’s obviously something that we’re doing that’s good.”
