Edgar Berlanga reclaimed his winning momentum on Saturday night, mounting a dramatic comeback that saw him rise from the canvas to stop Steven Butler in the seventh round of a pulsating Zuffa Boxing super‑middleweight bout held at the historic Madison Square Garden. The fight was a roller‑coaster of momentum swings, showcasing Berlanga's resilience and power after a year‑long hiatus from the spotlight following his knockout loss to Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz. The contest began with Butler landing a decisive blow that sent Berlanga to the floor in the final seconds of round two. The knockdown ignited a fire under the Mexican‑American fighter, who responded with a flurry of heavy, precise punches that forced Butler onto the defensive.
Berlanga peppered his opponent with a barrage of hooks and straight rights, each strike landing with increasing authority as the round progressed. Butler, desperate to regain control, attempted an unorthodox mixed‑martial‑arts style takedown in round three, hoping to neutralize Berlanga's striking advantage.
The maneuver, however, proved ineffective, and the bout’s pace remained firmly in Berlanga's favor. Round three concluded with Butler managing to land two significant shots of his own just before the bell, providing a brief glimpse of hope for the British contender. Nevertheless, the momentum quickly swung back to Berlanga, whose superior hand speed and punching power began to dominate the exchanges. Throughout rounds four and five, Berlanga’s combinations grew more fluid and devastating, each successive hit landing cleaner and harder than the last.
He utilized his reach advantage to keep Butler at bay, while simultaneously cutting off the ring to limit his opponent’s movement. The sixth round proved to be the turning point. Berlanga unleashed a relentless series of right hands that culminated in a powerful knockout blow, sending Butler crashing to the canvas.
Although Butler rose before the count, he was visibly shaken and his guard was compromised. Early in round seven, Butler attempted to rally, landing a solid right hand that momentarily disrupted Berlanga’s rhythm. Yet, the Mexican‑American fighter answered with a crushing combination that left Butler defenseless. The referee, observing the sustained onslaught and recognizing that Butler could no longer protect himself effectively, stepped in to halt the contest, awarding Berlanga a technical knockout victory.
This triumph marks Berlanga’s 24th professional win and extends his unbeaten record at Madison Square Garden to six fights, underscoring his ability to perform under the bright lights of New York’s most iconic arena. In the post‑fight interview, Berlanga expressed confidence in his resurgence, stating, "It shows I'm a true champion, and I'm not scared of fighting anyone. I fought a dangerous fighter, a big knockout puncher to prove myself and show people I am back." He went on to name several elite super‑middleweight names he hopes to face, including Hamzah Sheeraz, Jaime Munguia, Chris Eubank, Jermell Charlo and Caleb Plant, emphasizing his desire to prove he belongs among the division’s elite. Beyond the main event, the co‑main attraction featured former super‑lightweight world champion Richardson Hitchins, who made a striking debut at welterweight.
Hitchins displayed his superior speed, accuracy, and reach, systematically dismantling Ricardo "Magic Man" Salas with a relentless jab and powerful follow‑up punches. The Mexican fighter struggled to find any foothold, resulting in three unanimous 100‑90 scorecards in favor of Hitchins. After the victory, Hitchins announced his ambitions in the 147‑pound division, calling out top‑tier opponents such as 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 schedule, which promises a slate of high‑profile match‑ups across multiple weight classes.
Fans can stream the fights and other combat‑sport content contract‑free via the NOW platform, while weekly analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insights are available on the Toe2Toe podcast. For those seeking highlight reels and exclusive video content, the best boxing clips are curated on the platform’s dedicated video player, optimized for Chrome browsers for an enhanced viewing experience. Overall, Berlanga’s performance at Madison Square Garden not only reestablished his position as a formidable contender in the super‑middleweight division but also set the stage for future marquee battles that could define the next chapter of his career. His determination to face and defeat the sport’s top talent signals an exciting trajectory, one that boxing enthusiasts will be watching closely as the 2026 season unfolds.