Boxing star who fought Canelo indicted on charges of assaulting ex-partner with gun

Edgar Berlanga, 29, the American boxer who challenged Saul "Canelo" Alvarez for the unified world super middleweight title, was indicted on charges of assaulting a former partner with a firearm.

ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported Thursday that Berlanga was indicted on charges of aggravated assault and assault in connection with a domestic violence incident in Florida.

The incident occurred on Oct. 18 in Polk County, Florida. According to a police affidavit, Berlanga got into an argument with a former partner — with whom Berlanga shares a child — inside a vehicle, struck her multiple times with an open hand, then pulled out a pistol and hit her in the forehead with it.

The victim told police she tried to get out of the vehicle but Berlanga grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her back in. She ultimately fled to a nearby convenience store, where bystanders called police. Responding officers documented swelling and bruising on her forehead and noted what appeared to be bruising on her left arm as well.

Berlanga turned himself in to investigators on Oct. 26 and was arrested before being released on $16,000 bail. An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 17. The charges — aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, and assault, a first-degree misdemeanor — carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on the aggravated assault count if convicted.

Berlanga holds a professional record of 24 wins, 19 by knockout, and two losses in the super middleweight division. After turning professional, Berlanga drew wide attention by winning 16 consecutive bouts by first-round knockout before losing a decision to Canelo in a world title fight in September 2024.

This year, Berlanga signed a multi-fight deal with Ikonick Boxing, a promotion run by UFC CEO Dana White. In July, Berlanga stopped Steven Butler by knockout in the seventh round.