Zuffa Boxing will make its New York City debut on Sunday, July 26, 2026, featuring a double main event headlined by Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins. The event, titled Zuffa Boxing 09, takes place at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden.
This marks a major step for the promotion, a joint venture between TKO Group Holdings and Sela, as it moves from the intimate confines of the UFC Apex into major metropolitan arenas.
Edgar Berlanga is scheduled to face Montreal’s Steven Butler in a 10-round super middleweight clash. Meanwhile, Richardson Hitchins will move up in weight to make his welterweight debut against Ricardo Salas in a 12-round contest. The eight-fight card will be available live exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S.
, Canada, Latin America, and Brazil, while Sky Sports will carry the broadcast in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The leadership team of UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan has signed over 100 fighters to the Zuffa Boxing roster. After holding its first six events in Las Vegas at the UFC Meta Apex, the promotion is expanding its footprint.
The Infosys Theater venue provides a capacity of over 5,000, offering a significantly larger stage than the 1,000-seat Apex facility used for earlier shows.
Edgar Berlanga returns to New York seeking super middleweight redemption
Edgar Berlanga, 29, enters this fight looking to snap a difficult streak in his hometown. The Brooklyn native currently holds a record of 23-2 with 18 knockouts but has dropped his last two high-profile appearances. He lost a unanimous decision to Canelo Alvarez in September 2024 and was more recently stopped in five rounds by Hamzah Sheeraz on July 12, 2025.
Despite those setbacks, Edgar Berlanga remains the WBA mandatory challenger at super middleweight and holds the WBO NABO title. A victory is vital to maintain his ranking, especially given the rising competition in the division. His opponent, Steven Butler, is a 30-year-old veteran with a 38-5-1 record and 32 knockouts. Steven Butler has won four straight fights by knockout since moving to 168 pounds.
Camille Estephan, president of Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM), argued that Steven Butler is a favorite if he follows his tactical plan. Steven Butler noted that his training camp in Connecticut makes the New York venue feel like home territory. “I’ve proven that I’m ready to return to the international stage,” Steven Butler said, noting he is not intimidated by the New York crowd.
Richardson Hitchins tests new ground in welterweight debut
The co-feature highlights the return of Richardson Hitchins, a 28-year-old technical specialist also hailing from Brooklyn. Richardson Hitchins, who boasts a perfect 20-0 record, will be fighting for the first time in over 13 months. His last outing was an eighth-round TKO victory over George Kambosos Jr. on June 14, 2025, which secured him the IBF World Junior Welterweight title.
By moving up to the 147-pound welterweight limit, Richardson Hitchins is vacating his junior welterweight ties to pursue higher-weight challenges. Standing 5 feet 10 inches with a 74-inch reach, he has the frame to compete at the new weight. His opponent, Ricardo Salas, will provide the first real data point on how Richardson Hitchins’ power and speed translate to the welterweight class.
The move mirrors recent shifts by other top technicians who have faced scrutiny over their offensive output. Richardson Hitchins has occasionally been compared to Shakur Stevenson for his defensive-first approach. This 12-round fight is his opportunity to demonstrate that his tactical brilliance can produce more definitive results at a higher weight class.
Zuffa Boxing broadcast team and New York expansion plans
The Zuffa Boxing 09 broadcast features a deep roster of experienced commentators and analysts. Joe Tessitore will handle play-by-play duties, supported by analysts Max Kellerman, Antonio Tarver, and Mike Coppinger. Former multi-division champion Andre Ward will also provide technical insight during the 9:00 PM ET main card broadcast. Joe Martinez has been named as the ring announcer for the evening.
Molly Querim will host the event, with Heidi Androl reporting from ringside at the Infosys Theater. This event marks the second international-standard venue for Zuffa this summer, following the promotion’s UK debut in Bournemouth on June 6, 2026. The shift into the New York market is a clear indication that TKO Group Holdings intends to compete directly with traditional boxing powerhouses.
For local fans in Brooklyn, the card offers a rare chance to see two of the borough’s top talents on the same night. While Edgar Berlanga fights to stay relevant in the world title picture, Richardson Hitchins begins a climb that could see him targeting big names by next year. Given that com/tyson-fury-vs-anthony-joshua-date-revealed-update/”>Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are looking at major dates later in 2026, the Zuffa platform is moving quickly to establish its own stars before the year ends.
The success of this July 26 event will likely dictate the promotion’s future schedule in high-capacity venues. By leveraging the streaming reach of Paramount+ and the promotional muscle of TKO, Zuffa Boxing is betting that a more centralized, league-style approach can capture the public’s attention.
If Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins deliver high-action performances, the New York debut could become a permanent fixture on the boxing calendar.
