Edgar Berlanga scores comeback win

In mid‑July 2026, super‑middleweight Edgar Berlanga returned after a year‑long layoff, facing Canadian prospect Steven Butler at Zuffa Boxing 09 in Madison Square Garden. The bout was marketed as a career reset and marked Zuffa Boxing’s first event in New York. Berlanga hinted at a future high‑profile fight with Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr.

Two days later, former two‑weight champion Demetrius Andrade publicly called out Berlanga, suggesting a mutually beneficial matchup to raise both fighters’ profiles. Andrade reiterated his interest on July 20, describing the potential fight as a boost for each contender and noting that neither holds a major belt but both remain ranked in the light‑heavyweight and super‑middleweight divisions.

Berlanga, reflecting on his preparation, admitted past reliance on natural talent and “50 %” effort, but said a new camp has “turned the light switch on,” aiming to fight alongside elite names such as Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Crawford. On July 25 the fight with Butler was officially confirmed as the main event of the Zuffa Boxing card at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, with both fighters emphasizing ring IQ, experience and a career‑defining test rather than pure power.

The fight took place on July 26, where Berlanga rallied after an early knockdown to stop Butler in the seventh round, securing a decisive victory. In the post‑fight press conference he named several possible future opponents, including Chris Eubank Jr., Jaime Munguia, Caleb Plant, Jermall Charlo and a rematch with Hamzah Sheeraz, keeping his comeback momentum alive.