Edgar Berlanga returned to the winner’s circle after a year‑long slump, dropping and dominating Steven Butler in a seventh‑round stoppage at Madison Square Garden. The bout was a back‑and‑forth affair that began when Butler knocked Berlanga down in round two, but the Mexican‑born fighter answered with a succession of heavy shots that forced the referee to halt the contest.

Early in round three, Butler landed a powerful right, but Berlanga’s relentless pressure and a barrage of right hands in round six sent the opponent to the canvas. The referee saw no option but to stop the fight after a devastating combination that left Butler dazed and unable to continue.

Berlanga’s 24th career victory extends his undefeated streak at MSG to 6‑0 and cements his status as a top contender in the super‑middleweight division. He vowed to face the likes of Hamzah Sheeraz, Jaime Munguía, Chris Eubank, Jermell Charlo and Caleb Plant, asserting he is ready for the biggest names.

Meanwhile, former super‑lightweight world champion Richardson Hitchins outclassed Ricardo ’Magic Man’ Salas in a unanimous decision, setting sights on the 147‑lb elite and promising to prove himself against Gervonta Davis, Devon Haney and Ryan Garcia.