Edgar Berlanga’s Rebirth

Super middleweight star Edgar Berlanga is looking to showcase his reinvention in his Zuffa Boxing debut against Canadian slugger Steven Butler. Berlanga, a 29-year-old native of Brooklyn, New York, has been making headlines with his flashy bling and confidence, but he has also been working on his mental and physical growth.

In a recent interview with CBS Sports, Berlanga spoke about his recent loss to WBO super middleweight titleholder Hamzah Sheeraz, saying, ‘I’m actually glad [about] what happened to me last year with [Sheeraz] and the way it happened.’ Berlanga believes that the loss was a necessary step in his growth, allowing him to mature mentally and physically.

Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) signed with Zuffa in April and will make his promotional debut on Sunday night inside New York’s Madison Square Garden Theater in the headliner of a Zuffa 09 card. He will face Butler (38-5-1, 32 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

Former IBF 140-pound titleholder Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) will make his welterweight debut in the co-main event against Mexico’s Ricardo Salas (24-2-2, 18 KOs). The signing of Berlanga is just one of several recent acquisitions for Zuffa, which is run by UFC CEO Dana White and WWE president Nick Khan.

Berlanga’s evolution as a person and a fighter has been a gradual process. He has been working on his mental and physical growth, and has been focusing on his craft. He believes that he owes it to himself and his true supporters to show the world his complete game.

‘I think, right now, a lot of people know me as the guy who dresses good, gets paid a lot of money for fights, sells tickets and is a big puncher,’ Berlanga said. ‘But I think now is the time to start showing these people that I’m really the real deal.’

Berlanga expects to be part of big matchups under the Zuffa banner at 168 pounds, against the likes of Jaime Munguia and Chris Eubank Jr. He also envisions an eventual rematch with Sheeraz, but none of that will happen until he handles his business first with Butler.

‘You can expect fireworks,’ Berlanga said. ‘I truly feel that Butler has something to prove. Yeah, he has five losses but he’s a big puncher like me.’

Berlanga’s confidence and swagger are undeniable, but he also believes in his ability to adapt and grow. He is looking forward to showcasing his complete game and becoming a superstar in the sport.