The bout marks Berlanga’s first appearance since suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to current WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz last July in Queens. Before the setback, the Brooklyn native had returned to the win column with a victory over Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz following his unsuccessful challenge of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for the undisputed 168-pound championship.
Butler enters the contest on a four-fight knockout streak since moving up to super middleweight, with victories over Fernando Farias, Jose de Jesus Macias, Stephane Fondjo, and Ramadan Hiseni. The Canadian, however, has also been stopped in four of his five career defeats, including losses to former WBA middleweight champion Ryota Murata, current WBO middleweight titleholder Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, Macias, and Patrice Volny.
EOTTM president Camille Estephan expressed confidence in Butler’s chances against Berlanga.
“I can’t compare Berlanga to Janibek and Murata, but I can assure you that the Steven Butler who will fight in New York has nothing in common with the boxer he was five years ago. The power has always been there, but with the maturity he now possesses and the physical strength he has developed at super middleweight, I would even go so far as to say that a Steven who sticks to his game plan is the favorite against Berlanga,” said Estephan.
Butler believes the opportunity has come at the right time in his career.
“I’ve proven that I’m ready to return to the international stage. I’ve fought in Japan, so New York doesn’t intimidate me. In fact, it’s perfect because it’s not too far from my training camp in Connecticut. As for the rest, I’m working hard, and I plan to seize my opportunity in New York. You’ll see. This is my moment,” Butler said.
Hitchins’ opponent arrives with momentum of his own. Salas has won his last six fights and owns victories over Jesus Saracho and former welterweight contender Roiman Villa. The Mexican is not currently ranked among the top 15 by the WBA, WBC, IBF, or WBO.
Tickets for the July 26 event are scheduled to go on sale July 19 through Ticketmaster.