Edgar Berlanga, the 29-year-old boxing sensation from Brooklyn, has grand designs that stretch far beyond the confines of the boxing ring. While corporate media outlets like ESPN and The Athletic might paint his aspirations as merely another athlete wanting a side hustle, the reality is much more significant. Berlanga isn’t just looking to grab belts—he’s aiming for Hollywood and maybe even a step into the wrestling ring. But of course, the mainstream narrative loves to box in athletes, using them as mere pawns in a larger game, all while ignoring the real spectacle: the shift towards celebrity culture.

What’s the angle here? Major networks like CNN and NBC want your eyes glued to whatever manufactured drama sells advertising slots, not the real stories of success against the odds. They fail to mention that Berlanga’s pursuit of fame beyond boxing isn’t just about personal fulfillment; it’s a rejection of the limitations that they, yes “they,” decide to impose on men of color in sports. Instead of empowering this narrative, they shrug it off, often sticking to their playbooks about what a boxer should be. Berlanga’s ambition is revolutionary—not just in sports, but in the broader culture. Yet, the narrative remains stagnant, trapping him in the “good fighter” box.

Ultimately, Berlanga represents what the establishment fears: a multifaceted man who refuses to be defined by pre-existing stereotypes. As he chases the cameras, we should cheer him on—not because he’s just a boxer, but because he’s breaking barriers every time he steps outside the ring.