Zuffa Boxing announce two new signings including current world champion

Zuffa Boxing continue to make waves in the boxing world and have just held Zuffa Boxing 05, but they are always looking to recruit fighters to their ever-growing stable, with Jai Opetaia joining. Conor Benn has also signed a one-fight deal.

Dana White and co have now announced two further signings, as reported by Dan Rafael, with super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga and IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins agreeing to multi-fight promotional contracts.

Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins join Zuffa Boxing

Berlanga and Hitchins are both managed by Keith Connolly, who also manages Conor Benn. The Matchroom Sport chairman has made it clear he doesn’t want to work with Connonly anymore:

“I’m not going to fall out with Keith, but he’s just not someone that I really want to work with, to be honest with you,”Eddie Hearn said on “The Ariel Helwani Show“ recently.

It appears this latest news will have done nothing to repair relations between Hearn and Connolly, with Hitchins and Berlanga set to have their first fights for Zuffa this summer.

Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins

Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) hasn’t fought since he was demolished by Hamzah Sheeraz on The Ring III fight card. That made it two defeats in three fights for the Puerto Rican national.

Despite losing to Canelo, he gained plenty of plaudits for his bravery in that fight. Since then, he has been widely criticised by many in the boxing world, largely due to his hand wrap accusations aimed at Hamzah Sheeraz.

Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) has exhibited confidence throughout his career and recorded impressive wins against Jose Zepeda, Liam Paro, and George Kambosos. The American was due to defend his title on the undercard of Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia, but withdrew after falling ill, having been vomiting before the bout.

It remains to be seen if he keeps the IBF belt after joining Zuffa Boxing, and what the future plans are for Berlanga.