Fans Slam WBA Over Undeserved Title Shot

By Elliot Raines: WBA interim super middleweight champion Jose Armando Resendiz (16-2, 11 KOs) and Edgar Belanga (23-2, 18 KOs) are in negotiations for a fight in early 2026.

It’s an unusual fight, given that the former Eddie Hearn-promoted Matchroom fighter Berlanga has a 1-2 record in his last three fights, and is coming off a fifth-round knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz on July 12, 2025, in Queens, New York.

Rewarding Failure?

For a 28-year-old Berlanga to be fighting for a world title, even an interim one, is somewhat unusual. It’s an example of rewarding failure. He’s lost two out of his last three fights.

Many fans believe that Berlanga made a mistake by leaving Hearn after he’d steered him into a mega-million fight against Canelo Alvarez last year on September 14, 2024.

Merit System Ignored

In the merit system of boxing, #12 WBA, #12 WBO-ranked Edgar should be forced to claw his way from the bottom of the rankings to get another world title shot of any kind, rather than having it given to him on a silver platter based on his popularity in small pockets of New York City.

Mike Coppinger revealed today the plans for the Berlanga vs. Resendix fight for the first quarter of 2026.

Berlanga’s last three fights

• Hamzah Sheeraz (July 12, 2025) – 5th round KO loss
• Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz (March 15, 2025) – 1st round knockout win
• Canelo Alvarez (September 14, 2024) – 12-round unanimous decision loss

Resendiz, 26, is coming off a 12-round split decision upset win over WBA interim super middleweight champion Caleb Plant on May 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. He’d been chosen as an opponent for Plant to use to get the ring-rust out to get him ready for a big-money fight against Jermall Charlo.

Resendiz’s Breakthrough Win

The move backfired on the 33-year-old Plant, with the younger fighter Resendiz out-punching him on the inside. Plant looked like he recycled the same game plan that he’d used in his previous fight against Trevor McCumby on September 14, 2024, but it was a big mistake. The Mexico-born Resendiz proved to be the superior fighter in close. ‘Sweethands’ Plant was slow in switching to his usual style of fighting, which cost him. The scores were 116-112, 116-112 for Resendiz and 115-113 for Plant.

Elliot Raines has covered British and European boxing since 2010. Known for his sharp pen and low tolerance for hype, Raines dissects the sport’s politics, promoters, and paper champions with dry precision.