Edgar Berlanga reclaimed his momentum on the night, dramatically getting back to his feet after a knock‑down to stop Steven Butler in the seventh round of an electrifying Zuffa Boxing super‑middleweight bout held at the historic Madison Square Garden. The fight marked a pivotal moment for Berlanga, who, exactly one year after suffering a knockout loss to the British contender Hamzah Sheeraz, found himself once again on the brink of a defeat when Butler sent him to the canvas in the final seconds of the second round.
That moment sparked a dramatic reversal. The second‑round knock‑down acted as a catalyst, igniting Berlanga’s resolve. He surged forward with renewed ferocity, hammering Butler from all angles with a flurry of powerful punches that seemed to reverberate through the arena.
The onslaught forced Butler into a defensive scramble, compelling him to rely on instinctive survival tactics to stay upright. At one point, Butler even attempted a gritty mixed‑martial‑arts style takedown, a rare sight in a traditional boxing match, hoping to disrupt Berlanga’s rhythm and buy himself precious time.
Although the takedown was a bold, unconventional move, Butler’s most effective moments in the early stages came at the close of the third round when he landed two significant blows of his own as the bell rang. Those punches demonstrated that Butler possessed the power to threaten the champion, but they were insufficient to halt Berlanga’s relentless pressure. The battle continued with a back‑and‑forth exchange that showcased both fighters’ heart and skill.
Berlanga consistently landed cleaner, heavier shots, using his superior reach and timing to dictate the pace. By the end of the sixth round, he had built a cumulative barrage of right hands that finally forced Butler onto the canvas for a second time.
The crowd erupted as the referee began a count, but Butler rose before the count of ten, showing his own tenacity. Round seven began with Butler delivering a sizable right hand that hinted at a possible comeback. Yet, before he could fully recover, Berlanga unleashed a devastating combination—a rapid succession of punches that left Butler defenseless.
The referee, recognizing the severity of the situation and prioritizing fighter safety, stepped in to halt the contest, awarding Berlanga a technical knockout victory. This win marked Berlanga’s 24th career triumph and extended his flawless record at Madison Square Garden to an impressive 6‑0. The victory also reignited talk of his next steps, with Berlanga openly expressing his desire to face the elite of the super‑middleweight division.
He specifically mentioned a potential rematch against Hamzah Sheeraz, the opponent who previously delivered his only professional knockout, as well as other top‑tier fighters such as Jaime Munguia, Chris Eubank, Jermell Charlo, and Caleb Plant. "It shows I'm a true champion, and I'm not scared of fighting anyone," Berlanga said after the fight, his confidence evident. "I fought a dangerous fighter, a big knockout puncher, to prove myself and show people I am back. We want Hamzah Sheeraz, Jaime Munguia, Chris Eubank, Jermell Charlo, Caleb Plant – we want to fight to best prove we belong with the best." Beyond the main event, the co‑main attraction featured former super‑lightweight world champion Richardson Hitchins, who made a decisive statement in his welterweight debut.
Hitchins faced Ricardo "Magic Man" Salas and demonstrated why he is a rising star in the 147‑pound division. Utilizing his superior speed, crisp jab, and longer reach, Hitchins kept Salas at bay for the entirety of the twelve rounds.
The Mexican contender struggled to find any foothold, as Hitchins repeatedly snapped him back with precise, snapping punches, preventing Salas from establishing rhythm or momentum. The judges reflected the one‑sided nature of the bout, awarding three unanimous 100‑90 scorecards in favor of Hitchins. After the fight, Hitchins turned his attention to the broader welterweight landscape, proclaiming his ambition to test himself against the division’s biggest names.
"I want the best guys in boxing," he declared. "Give me Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia. They say I'm not like that, come show me I'm not like that. 21‑0, no draws, no stains on my record.
Come get it if you want it." The night’s action highlighted the dynamic nature of modern boxing, where fighters are increasingly willing to step up in weight, employ unconventional tactics, and seek out high‑profile match‑ups to cement their legacies. Berlanga’s comeback, capped by a decisive stoppage, reinforces his position as a serious contender in the super‑middleweight ranks, while Hitchins’ dominant welterweight debut signals his readiness to pursue elite opposition. Looking ahead, the 2026 boxing calendar promises a packed schedule of marquee fights across multiple weight classes.
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In summary, the Zuffa event in New York offered a night of drama, resilience, and rising ambitions. Edgar Berlanga proved that a single knock‑down does not define a fighter’s destiny, while Richardson Hitchins announced his arrival on the welterweight stage with authority. Both athletes have laid out clear goals: Berlanga aims to challenge the super‑middleweight elite, and Hitchins seeks to test himself against the top names at 147 pounds.
Their statements and performances suggest that the coming months will be filled with exciting match‑ups as each pursues the next rung on the ladder of boxing greatness.