Edgar Berlanga secured an important win 12 months after suffering an unexpected stoppage loss that threatened to derail his career. Berlanga made an incredible comeback, surviving an early knockdown before stopping Steven Butler in the seventh round – yet most post-fight conversations focused on referee intervention rather than Berlanga’s performance alone.
Butler made an early impact, knocking Berlanga down with a clean right hand near the end of round two and forcing him back on to power-hunting style boxing, managing to floor Butler toward end of sixth round, prompting referee to speak directly with Butler in between rounds. Berlanga responded quickly by shifting away from traditional boxing strategies toward his signature power hunting tactics; eventually managing to floor him during sixth round fight after which referee spoke directly with both men between rounds.
The fight ended at 1:14 of the seventh round when Berlanga unleashed a combination of left hooks and a right cross that left Butler hurt and unable to defend himself. At that moment, referee Eric Dali stepped in to stop the bout. However, the stoppage quickly became the center of attention for unusual reasons. During the intervention, the referee accidentally pulled Butler down to the canvas along with him, causing both fighters to fall awkwardly. In response, Berlanga mimed threatening to strike Butler while he was still down—an action that has become a recurring aspect of his big fight moments.
This sequence was significant for Berlanga’s career trajectory. His previous bout had ended in a fifth-round stoppage loss, raising doubts about his future prospects. Both Berlanga and then-junior welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins had recently signed multi-fight agreements with their promotional company, marking this event as their debut under the new banner. Hitchins also impressed in the co-main event with a unanimous decision victory, further adding context to the night’s card.
Fan Reactions and Criticism of the Stoppage
Despite the contextual importance of Berlanga’s win, fan focus quickly shifted to the controversial nature of the referee’s stoppage. Comments ranged from calls for the referee to be replaced to frustration over the perceived handling of the fight’s conclusion. Some fans criticized the referee for allegedly tackling Butler, and others accused Berlanga of showing disrespect by mimicking strikes on a downed opponent.
Examining the final moments, it appears the referee acted with fighter safety as his priority. After signaling the stoppage, he moved quickly to protect Butler, who was still absorbing punches. The fall seems to have been accidental, occurring as Butler instinctively retreated from Berlanga’s attack, unaware of the referee’s approach from behind.
Nonetheless, criticism persisted, including remarks about commentary bias and broader dissatisfaction with the promotional company’s presentation and narrative style. Some viewers expressed skepticism regarding fairness, suggesting possible rigging to maintain excitement in main events, although this notion conflicted with the actual diversity of fight outcomes on the card.
Support for the Referee’s Decision
Not all fan reactions were negative; some supported the referee’s call to stop the fight, believing it may have prevented further injury to Butler. Referees often face difficult choices during fast-paced competitive battles that require swift decisions in order to protect fighters while upholding contest integrity and prevent unnecessary harm to them or themselves.
Berlanga’s comeback victory stands regardless of any debate regarding his stoppage, with future fights being scheduled by promoters for him, with fellow rising star Richardson Hitchins already making waves following an impressive performance that same evening.