Brooklyn native Edgar Berlanga faces a critical juncture in his career as he prepares for his Zuffa Boxing debut on Sunday, July 26.
He’ll headline Zuffa Boxing 09 at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, taking on Canadian contender Steven Butler in a 10-round super middleweight bout. This fight is a pivotal opportunity for Berlanga to reclaim his momentum after a challenging period.
Berlanga seeks redemption after challenging year
Edgar Berlanga, 29, returns to the ring after a year-long hiatus, aiming to “pave a path to the road of redemption” and “reset his standing at 168” pounds. His last bout was a brutal fifth-round knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz in July 2025, which he admitted left him “in a bad place mentally.”
Before that, Berlanga had suffered a decision loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2024, making his record 1-2 in his last three fights. This string of defeats contrasts sharply with his career start, where he famously secured 16 consecutive first-round knockouts.
“I’m excited, you know, I’m anxious, I’m happy. I got a lot of feelings, you know. Ready to perform,” Berlanga told BroBible on July 17, 2026. This reflects a fighter eager to turn the page and prove himself once again under the bright lights of New York City.
Zuffa Boxing’s New York City launch under scrutiny
Berlanga’s return also marks Zuffa Boxing’s debut in New York City, a significant move for the promotion which signed the Brooklyn fighter to a multi-fight deal in April. The event, Zuffa Boxing 09, represents a substantial investment for the company, seeking to establish its presence in professional boxing.
Tickets for the event went on sale Friday, June 19, with the promotion banking on high demand for a card headlined by a local talent. An impressive showing from Berlanga could provide Zuffa with a strong platform to match him against other recognizable names in the super middleweight or middleweight divisions.
Conversely, a poor performance or an unexpected loss could complicate Zuffa’s plans, making it harder to position Berlanga as a top attraction. The outcome here will certainly influence their strategic direction in the competitive boxing landscape, much like the pursuit of an undisputed run by Jai Opetaia could define another fighter’s trajectory.
Steven Butler offers a dangerous challenge
Edgar Berlanga won’t have an easy night, facing Steven Butler from Montreal, Canada, a formidable opponent with a record of 38-5-1, 32 KOs. Butler, 30, has found significant momentum recently, winning his last four fights by stoppage since moving up to super middleweight.
This four-fight knockout streak highlights his power and current form, making him a dangerous adversary for Berlanga. Butler previously challenged Janibek Alimkhanuly for the WBO super middleweight title in 2023, losing via second-round TKO.
His experience and recent success suggest he’s more than capable of capitalizing on any lingering issues Berlanga might have from his year away or his previous knockout loss. Berlanga will need to be at his sharpest to overcome Butler’s aggressive style.
The Zuffa Boxing 09 fight card
The Zuffa Boxing 09 event kicks off with prelims at 5:00 PM ET, followed by the main card at 8:00 PM ET, broadcast on Paramount+ in the United States, Latin America, Brazil, and Canada. Sky Sports will carry the action for viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Alongside the main event, the card features an intriguing co-main event: undefeated Brooklyn native Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) against Ricardo Salas (24-2-2, 18 KOs). Hitchins, a former IBF junior welterweight champion, is making his own Zuffa Boxing debut, moving up to the welterweight division for this 12-round contest.
Ricardo Salas, 27, holds a record of 24-2-2, 18 KOs, and presents a stern test for Hitchins in his welterweight transition. The undercard also includes a 10-round middleweight clash between Jalil Hackett (12-1, 9 KOs) and veteran Sergiy Derevyanchenko (16-6, 11 KOs), and a heavyweight showdown between Otto Wallin (28-3, 16 KOs) and Vladyslav Sirenko (22-1, 19 KOs).
Other notable bouts feature Arnold Gonzalez (18-1, 9 KOs) versus Emiliano Moreno (12-1, 7 KOs) at welterweight, and an all-knockout artist affair pitting Kashaun Davis (11-0, 11 KOs) against Mihai Nistor (8-0, 8 KOs) in an 8-round heavyweight encounter. Featherweight Troy Nash (7-0-1, 1 KO) will also compete against an unnamed opponent, rounding out a diverse night of boxing action.
Outlook for Berlanga’s future
This Zuffa Boxing event is more than just a single fight night; it’s a crucial test for both Berlanga and the nascent promotion. For Berlanga, a convincing victory against Butler would re-establish his credibility at super middleweight, potentially setting him on a path towards more significant challenges and title contention.
Should he falter, Zuffa Boxing would face the challenge of reassessing their significant investment and strategy for their headline fighter. The boxing world will be closely watching on July 26 to see if Berlanga can deliver the performance needed to ignite both his career and Zuffa’s ambitions in the sport.
