Hitchins and Berlanga have their opponents for their Zuffa debuts confirmed.
Former unified super-middleweight world title challenger Edgar Berlanga and former IBF super-lightweight world champion Richardson Hitchins will be making their debuts under Zuffa Boxing as part of the company’s 9th show.
Their respective fights on the card are being billed as a “double main event”, and it will be taking place on the 26th of July at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As for the fights themselves, Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) will be facing Steven Butler (38-5-1, 32 KOs) in a battle of heavy-handed 168-pounders.
Berlanga famously won his first 16 fights by first-round knockout, but saw his KO streak dry up as he progressed in levels. A 2024 decision loss to Canelo Álvarez for three of the four major belts was certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but a three-knockdown destruction at the hands of Hamzah Sheeraz just under a year ago will definitely still bother the loud-mouthed American.
Butler, on the other hand, is everyone’s favourite type of fighter. A Canadian whose ring moniker is literally “BANG BANG”, Butler is an “either you knock me out, or I’ll knock you out” kind of guy.
In his world title challenge of Janibek Alimkhanuly, he was savaged. Ryota Murata also made quick work of him. In fact, gatekeeper Jose de Jesus Macias knocked out him out in their first encounter.
With all five losses inside the distance, Butler can be knocked out. However, he himself owns a first-round knockout over Steve Rolls. And since moving up to super-middleweight, he has won four in a row.
Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) will be making his welterweight debut against Ricardo Salas (24-2-2, 18 KOs) in a classic America vs. Mexico matchup.
Hitchins vacated his IBF super-lightweight strap upon signing with Zuffa, and he has now moved up a division to battle the dangerous Salas.
Hitchins previously gained a controversial win over Gustavo Lemos, but was far more convincing in his title-winning effort over Liam Paro and his subsequent defence over George Kambosos Jr.
The slick American will likely have his mettle tested again, as he faces a hard-hitting Latino who hasn’t lost in his last ten fights.
Known as “Magic Man”, Salas will be up against his best opponent by far. But of course, we all know the dangers a Mexican brings.
‼️ Announced: Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins will serve as double main events at Zuffa Boxing 09 on July 26th at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in NYC.
🥊 Edgar Berlanga vs Steven Butler
⚖️ Super Middleweight🥊 Richardson Hitchins vs Ricardo Salas
⚖️… pic.twitter.com/dYiuDlze5i— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) June 9, 2026
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