Super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan will face Montreal’s Steven Butler in a local clash between two Eye of the Tiger protégés on November 13 at the Casino de Montréal.
Still ranked 14th in the WBC super middleweight rankings, Laval native Bazinyan, 32-1-1, (23 KOs), needs a win to restore some momentum after an ankle injury kept him out of the ring since September 2024.
At that time, he lost a competitive 10-round bout against 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 per cent,” Bazinyan, now trained by Samuel Décarie-Drolet, said via the press release. “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, the 36-5-1 (30 KOs) Butler 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. Butler gained his revenge inside four rounds. 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 Butler.
“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,” said EOTTM President Camille Estephan. “Erik Bazinyan is back at 100 per cent, 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.”
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.
