Professional boxer Edgar Berlanga is facing a pair of battery charges following an alleged domestic incident with the mother of his child which resulted in his arrest Monday in Polk County, Florida.
The charges -- domestic violence aggravated battery (felony) and domestic battery (misdemeanor) -- stem from an alleged incident Oct. 18. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
According to a police report filed by Lakeland Police Department, Berlanga and the woman began arguing while driving shortly after visiting a gun range. The woman alleges Berlanga "began hitting her with an open hand" and then "retrieved a pistol" and "struck her in the forehead" with the handle end of the weapon. The boxer then "grabbed her by her left arm" as she tried to exit the vehicle. She eventually escaped and took refuge in a local convenience store before police arrived, according to the report.
The woman sought medical attention at a local health care clinic, at which time the responding officer observed "swelling and bruising on her forehead" as a result of being struck by Berlanga, as well as torn shirt and "an apparent bruise on her left inner arm," according to the report.
According to court records, Berlanga, 29, appeared in the Bartow Courthouse on Tuesday, and his bond was set at $16,000. His next court appearance is an arraignment hearing Nov. 17.
Berlanga (24-2, 19 KOs) unsuccessfully challenged Canelo Alvarez for the WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles in September 2024 in Las Vegas, losing via unanimous decision. He is signed to Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, under which he headlined an event in July at Madison Square Garden. He defeated Steven Butler via seventh-round knockout.
