Fury-Wilder III Undercard: Edgar Berlanga Vs. Marcelo Esteban Coceres, Julian Williams Vs. Vladmir Hernandez Say They’re Ready For Battle

A couple of pairs of fresh boxers are getting their spotlight on the undercard of Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder.

Edgar Berlanga will fight former world title challenger Marcelo Esteban Coceres in a 10-round showdown for the vacant NABO super middleweight belt while Julian Williams will face Mexico’s Vladimir Hernandez in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.

Berlanga-Coceres and Williams-Hernandez will air live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, FS1 and FOX Deportes, and simulcast on ESPN+. Preliminary bouts will stream live on the ESPN App and FOX Sports App starting at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.

Berlanga (17-0, 16 KOs) has scored first-round knockouts in his first 16 fights. The knockout streak ended in April after a unanimous decision win over Demond Nicholson.

Coceres (30-2-1, 16 KOs), from Argentina, last fought in June, knocking out Nelson Nicolas Rosalez in the second round.

“I am thrilled to be fighting on the Fury-Wilder III card, and I am coming do what I always do, which is to steal the show and knock out my opponent in devastating fashion,” Berlanga said in a statement. “Coceres is in for a rude awakening on October 9. Do not get up for a snack when I’m fighting. It’s going to be a short, brutal night. Count on it.”

“Berlanga can say what he wants about making it a short night or whatever. The biggest talkers are usually the most insecure,” Coceres replied in a statement. “I know what I bring to the table. I’ve been in there with the better fighters, while he’s feasted on a diet of nobodies. In my mind, it won’t be an upset when I beat this kid. On October 9, it is man versus boy, and that boy is in for a rude awakening.”

Philadelphia’s Williams (27-2-1, 16 KOs) became a unified world champion at 154-pounds in May 2019 when won a close brawl against Jarrett Hurd via unanimous decision. The 31-year-old dropped the titles in his first defense to Jeison Rosario in January 2020.

Hernandez (12-4, 6 KOs), originally from Durango, Mexico, most recently earned a decision victory over longtime contender Alfredo Angulo in August 2020.

“I have been doing nothing but staying ready and training since my last fight. I promise that I’m going to bring the action when that bell rings,” Williams said.

The Fury vs. Wilder III ESPN+ and FOX Sports PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.