No detours will be taken on the road back to the top on March 14. Top 10 world contender Erik ‘Bzo’ Bazinyan will square off against Montreal power puncher Steven ‘Bang Bang’ Butler in a highly anticipated 10-round local clash in the super middleweight division. The event, taking place at Théâtre St-Denis in Montreal, will be broadcast live on PunchingGrace.com and ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s incredibly difficult for me to see our athletes face each other, but I’m happy we can join forces to deliver another great local fight for our fans and kick off 2025 with a bang,” commented Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
Estephan will see not only two of his athletes share the ring on March 14, but two of his long-time protégés. Under contract with EOTTM since 2018 and 2014 respectively, Bazinyan and Butler are currently the two longest-serving members of the 23-fighter Montreal stable. That said, 2025 marks the perfect time for this matchup.
“Erik absolutely needs to get back on the winning track, and Steven absolutely needs a significant victory to return to the international stage. From both sides, it’s a critical fight,” said EOTTM Director of Development Marc Ramsay.
Indeed, despite a valiant effort, Erik Bazinyan (32-1-1, 23 KOs) suffered the first loss of his career last September in Arizona, where he faced former world champion and Mexican power puncher Jaime Munguia. Earlier, in May 2024, he also fought to a draw against Shakeel Phinn in another thrilling local bout presented by EOTTM at Montreal’s Casino. Believing he can come back stronger from these two outings, the Laval native plans to use Butler as a springboard to propel himself back to the top, convinced this is precisely why the fight was organized.
“Steven has fought for a world title twice. He’s a good boxer, everyone knows him, and this fight will generate a lot of buzz. I trust my team and the process to get me to the top,” said Bazinyan, currently ranked 10th in the world by both the WBO and IBF, and 12th by the WBC.
For two-time world title challenger Steven Butler (35-5-1, 29 KOs), the fight also comes at the right time. After a stunning first-round knockout of Ontario’s Steve Rolls last March, Butler fell short against Patrice Volny in another major local clash in June. He bounced back with a victory in November, where he also debuted in the 168 lb division. Ready to take on the world’s top 10, Butler aims to remind everyone what he’s made of as he faces Bazinyan.
“I’ve never been afraid of anyone. No matter who my team has put in front of me, I’ve always had the guts to step up, and that won’t change for Erik Bazinyan or anyone else. For 10 years, I’ve always delivered an exciting show, and that won’t change on March 14 either,” said Butler, determined to deliver—and win—the fight of the night.
