Boxing: Pro Boxer Edgar Berlanga Has Been Suspended From The Sport For Six Months

  Super-middleweight boxer Edgar Berlanga has been banned from the sport for six months after he sensationally bit his opponent Roamer Alexis Angulo during their fight at Madison Square Garden earlier this month.


American Berlanga has also been hit with a £8,000 ($10k) fine for his shocking behaviour, which was not picked up by the referee at the time of the incident.


The 25-year-old eventually won his match via unanimous decision, with scores of 98-92, 99-91, 99-91. 


Known as 'The Chosen One', Berlanga is unbeaten in his career - with 20 straight victories, 16 coming by way of knockout - but this setback will cost him a place at a high-profile boxing event run by Top Rank and ESPN later this year.


When the incident was first put to Berlanga in the immediate aftermath of the fight, he brushed off the accusation and claimed Angulo had been 'throwing elbows', but said he was 'about to do a Mike Tyson on him' - referencing the shock night when heavyweight icon Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997. 


He said as cited by Sports Central: 'He was throwing elbows. I was about to do a Mike Tyson on him,' he said. 'He kept throwing his elbows, and I didn't want to get cut.'


But just a day later he backtracked and offered an apology, saying he 'got ahead of himself in the moment' and admitted he had caused embarrassment. 


He added on Twitter: 'I want to apologize for my actions and what I said yesterday about the Mike Tyson bite. 'I was in the moment and I got a little ahead of myself. 'It doesn't take away from the embarrassment that I have caused upon myself, my team, [Top Rank], and many others. 'I reacted poorly and take full responsibility. Moving forward, I am going to be more mindful and encouraging in my behavior. Once again, I do apologize.'


When Tyson bit Holyfield in 1997 - their second heavyweight world title contest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - 'Iron Mike' was suspended for 15 months, as well as picking up a £2.5m ($3m) fine in what was one of the most bizarre incidents in the history of sport. 


Berlanga's bite came at a time when he was struggling against Angulo.


In the seventh round, Berlanga could be seen trying to bite Angulo's neck and then his left ear.


Angulo immediately moved his head back and threw his arms in the air and put his gloves to his ear and in attempt to show the referee what happened.


The incident triggered shock reaction from fans, celebrities and fighters past and present on social media. 


Former welterweight world champion Shawn Porter said: 'A replay that should not have been shown! Smh Berlanga, that's not what I meant about biting down!'


Current welterweight champion Terence Crawford, meanwhile, wrote: 'Lol he tried to bite him.'

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