Edgar Berlanga once again proved his resilience and skill, rising from the canvas to halt Steven Butler in the seventh round of a pulse‑pounding Zuffa Boxing super‑middleweight bout staged at Madison Square Garden. The fight marked a pivotal moment for Berlanga, who had been reeling after a knockout loss to Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz just a year earlier. When Butler sent him to the floor in the final seconds of the second round, many observers wondered if the Mexican‑American fighter could recover.
The knockdown, however, ignited a fire under Berlanga, and he responded with a relentless barrage that turned the contest into a dramatic back‑and‑forth exchange. From the moment he got back on his feet, Berlanga began to dominate the ring, peppering Butler with a series of crushing blows that forced his opponent onto the defensive. The intensity of Berlanga’s assault was such that Butler was compelled to resort to an unconventional tactic: an MMA‑style takedown attempt, hoping to disrupt the rhythm and buy himself some breathing room.
Though the maneuver was bold, it ultimately proved ineffective, and Butler’s most successful moment in that round came when he landed two solid punches just as the bell rang to close the third round. The fight’s momentum continued to swing like a pendulum.
In the fourth and fifth rounds, Berlanga’s punches were cleaner and heavier, each strike echoing through the arena. By the end of round six, he unleashed a ferocious flurry of right hands that sent Butler sprawling onto the canvas.
The crowd roared as the referee began the count, but Butler managed to rise, determined to answer back. Round seven began with Butler delivering a powerful right hand of his own, momentarily re‑establishing his presence in the bout. Yet his effort was short‑lived. Berlanga responded with a devastating combination—left hooks followed by a crushing right cross—that left Butler defenseless.
The onslaught was so overwhelming that the referee had no alternative but to intervene, stopping the fight and awarding Berlanga a technical knockout victory. This win represents Berlanga’s 24th professional triumph and extends his flawless record at Madison Square Garden to six victories without a loss.
The victory also reignites his ambition to challenge the elite of the super‑middleweight division. He has openly expressed a desire to avenge his prior defeat to Sheeraz and to test himself against other top‑tier opponents 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 in the post‑fight interview. "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 bout featured former super‑lightweight world champion Richardson Hitchins, who made an emphatic statement in his welterweight debut. Hitchins outclassed Ricardo "Magic Man" Salas with a unanimous decision, employing superior speed, precision, and reach to dominate the fight from start to finish.
His jab was relentless, snapping Salas back repeatedly and preventing the Mexican contender from finding any rhythm. The judges reflected the one‑sided nature of the contest with three identical 100‑90 scorecards in favor of Hitchins. Buoyed by his convincing performance, Hitchins wasted no time outlining his aspirations in the 147‑pound division. He called out the sport’s biggest names, demanding fights against Gervonta Davis, Devon Haney, and Ryan Garcia.
"I want the best guys in boxing," he declared. "Give me Gervonta Davis, Devon 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 evening’s action was part of the broader 2026 boxing calendar, which promises a slew of marquee match‑ups across multiple weight classes.
Fans can stream the fights and additional content contract‑free through the NOW platform, and stay updated with weekly episodes of the Toe2Toe podcast, which delves into the sport’s latest developments. For those seeking highlights and memorable moments, a curated collection of boxing videos is also available. In summary, Edgar Berlanga’s comeback victory at Madison Square Garden not only showcases his tenacity and punching power but also positions him as a legitimate contender for future super‑middleweight marquee fights.
His determination to face and defeat the division’s elite signals an exciting road ahead, while Richardson Hitchins’ seamless transition to welterweight adds another compelling storyline to the sport’s evolving narrative. The night’s events underscored the dynamism of modern boxing, where fighters continuously adapt, strive for higher challenges, and deliver unforgettable spectacles for fans worldwide.