Zuffa Boxing have signed promotional agreements with Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins.
According to Dana White’s promotional organisation both have agreed “multi-fight deals”. After their recruitment of Jai Opetaia and Conor Benn, they represent the addition to Zuffa of two further former Matchroom fighters.
“Zuffa Boxing is changing the game,” said the Puerto Rican Berlanga, 28. “I’m here for the biggest fights on boxing’s best platform. I’m here to put the super-middleweight division on notice. ‘The Monster’ is back. Thank you to Dana White, Nick Khan [of TKO Boxing], and the entire Zuffa Boxing team for believing in my talent.
“I also want to thank my father, Edgar Berlanga Snr, and my manager, Keith Connolly, for always guiding me in the right direction, and this move is no different. This is going to be a special journey.”
The addition of Hitchins, the 28-year-old IBF junior-welterweight champion, particularly intrigues. Opetaia was stripped of the IBF cruiserweight title after agreeing to contest the Zuffa Boxing belt; Zuffa also recognise only eight weight divisions, which includes lightweight and welterweight but not junior welterweight.
“This is a major step forward in my career,” said Hitchins. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity, and I want to thank Dana White, Nick Khan, and my manager, Keith Connolly, for giving a kid from Brooklyn the opportunity to fight on the biggest stage against the world’s best fighters.
“With Zuffa Boxing in my corner, I’m going to show the world that I am a pound-for-pound, generational fighter.”
