Everything has already been said — now it’s time to fight. Top-15 super-middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan will face Montreal KO artist Steven Butler in a highly-anticipated local clash between two Eye of the Tiger protégés on November 13 at the Casino de Montréal.
“For us, it’s going to be heartbreaking — I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. But for our fans, I believe this fight promises even more than when we first tried to organize it. Erik Bazinyan is back at 100%, but he has a point to prove after more than a year out of the ring. As for Steven Butler, he’s had time to show that his punching power is even more devastating at 168 lbs. I wish both of them victory, but more than anything, I’m convinced they’ll both give it their all,” said EOTTM President Camille Estephan.
Still ranked 14th in the world super middleweight rankings, Laval native Erik “Bzo” Bazinyan (32-1-1, 23 KOs) needs a win now more than ever after an ankle injury kept him out of the ring since September 2024. At that time, he lost a competitive 10-round bout against Mexican champion Jaime Munguia. But after the longest layoff of his career, the Armenian-born boxer says he’s more motivated than ever to return to action.
“I’m really at 100%. And not just since my last injury — for the first time in a very long time. Some may have doubted me during my absence, but I can assure them of one thing: I will be victorious on November 13, and it will mark the beginning of the best years of my career,” said Erik Bazinyan, who is now trained by Samuel Décarie-Drolet.
Meanwhile, during Bazinyan’s absence, Steven “Bang Bang” Butler (36-5-1, 30 KOs) took the opportunity to settle into the super middleweight division. After a win last November, and following Bazinyan’s second withdrawal, the Montrealer accepted a rematch against Jesus Macias — a fight the Mexican had won four years earlier. The result: a stunning 4th-round KO by Butler on June 27. Now undefeated in two fights at 168 lbs, the former two-time world middleweight title challenger is ready to settle the score with Bazinyan once and for all.
“If you ask me, since he pulled out twice, I’m already up 2-0. But as they say, third time’s the charm — so I’ll come out the winner once and for all on November 13,” said Steven Butler.
Also featured on the card: Montreal’s Luis Santana (14-0, 7 KOs) returns in front of his home crowd. Powerful Quebec-based fighter Moreno Fendero (12-0, 10 KOs) will fight in his first scheduled 10-round bout. Canadian Olympic medalist Wyatt Sanford (4-0, 2 KOs) will step into the ring for the fifth time this year. And popular Mauricie athlete Daylen Pepin will make his professional debut. More additions to the card will be announced by EOTTM in the coming weeks.
