Edgar Berlanga Rejects Steven Butler’s Knockout Threat

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Edgar Berlanga has dismissed Steven Butler’s confidence ahead of Sunday’s fight, insisting punching power alone will not be enough to beat him. Berlanga says his experience and ring IQ will be the difference when they meet in the super middleweight main event at Madison Square Garden.

Butler recently vowed to hurt Berlanga if the opportunity presents itself. Berlanga, however, doesn’t believe his opponent’s aggressive approach will carry him through the fight.

Looking at the matchup, Berlanga made it clear he expects his boxing ability to make the difference.

“That don’t win fights. You know that. What wins fights is IQ. We got 10 rounds. That’s 30 minutes of fighting with me in the ring. At this point, all that don’t mean nothing,” said Berlanga to Fighthype.

“You got a guy that has experience the way I do and the IQ and everything. You got all the punching power in the world, but you’re up there with an elite fighter now. So, it’s going to be a different story.”

Berlanga has built much of his career on knockout victories, but his latest comments suggest he expects Sunday’s contest to demand more than power. Rather than trading punches with Butler, he believes his ring IQ will give him the edge as the fight develops.

The super middleweight matchup headlines Zuffa Boxing’s card at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Both fighters have predicted victory. Butler has promised to capitalize on any opening, while Berlanga remains confident his boxing ability will be enough to secure the win.

Berlanga has spent years hunting knockouts instead of trying to outbox opponents. His latest remarks suggest he expects to beat Butler with ring IQ rather than power. If that’s the plan, Sunday could reveal a different version of Berlanga, because he has rarely relied on that approach during his professional career.