Professional boxer Edgar Berlanga was arrested earlier this week and charged with battery and aggravated battery following a physical altercation with the mother of his child in Polk County, Florida.
According to court documents, Berlanga is alleged to have repeatedly slapped the woman before striking her on the head with a pistol. The incident reportedly occurred on October 18 after an argument escalated while the two were in a vehicle. The woman told police that Berlanga, after slapping her, retrieved a pistol from the cupholder and hit her on the forehead with the magazine well of the firearm.
The alleged victim reported that she attempted to exit the vehicle but was pulled back in by Berlanga. She eventually managed to escape and sought help at a nearby 7-Eleven. Police observed swelling and bruising on her face, as well as bruising on her arm and a rip in her shirt, which they stated corroborated her account.
The woman confirmed that the gun used in the alleged assault was real and that she had seen Berlanga fire it at a gun range shortly before the incident. Although she was reportedly unsure about pressing charges, Berlanga was arrested by officers who classified the event as a domestic violence case.
Berlanga, who is signed to Dana White's Zuffa Boxing promotion, was booked on felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor battery touch/strike charges. His bond was set at $16,000, according to court records. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
Berlanga holds a professional boxing record of 24-2 with 19 knockouts. In September 2024, he competed against Canelo Alvarez for the WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles, ultimately losing by unanimous decision. Earlier this year, Berlanga headlined an event at Madison Square Garden, securing a seventh-round knockout victory over Steven Butler.