Camille Estephan didn’t seem to be in a very good mood when Erik Bazinyan — either injured or too heavy — pulled out of his fight against Steven Butler for a third time.
Although the main event remains 100% local, it’s still 100% intriguing with the presence of Stéphane Fondjo. The Cameroonian, who had been serving as the main sparring partner for Shakeel Phinn, was preparing for a fight on November 8 before receiving the opportunity of his career: a duel against Steven Butler.
This last-minute fight, put together by Eye of the Tiger, perfectly symbolizes the spirit of Montreal boxing: a blend of unexpected opportunities and crossed destinies. One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain… or, when Bazinyan gets injured, Fondjo benefits.
Photo: Jeff Lockhart – Stéphane Fondjo
Stéphane Fondjo is a Cameroonian boxer with a career as unusual as it is inspiring. Born in Batié, in Cameroon’s Western Region, he first trained in his home country before pursuing an international career, driven by unshakeable determination. A true globetrotter of the ring, Fondjo has boxed in Ghana, Mexico, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada, where he now resides. He also lived in Dubai, an important stage in his personal and professional development.
“To achieve great things, you sometimes have to suffer. I left my family behind eight years ago to cross the Atlantic and one day be able to give them a better life. Every day since, I’ve made every sacrifice to accomplish that goal. I respect Steven Butler, who has a similar mindset, but I’ve suffered enough to get here and earn this opportunity. So once I’m in the ring on November 13, it’s Butler who will suffer,”
promised Stéphane Fondjo.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Steven Butler
From a sporting standpoint, Fondjo competes in the super middleweight division (168 lbs). He displays an explosive yet disciplined style, combining power, mobility, and tactical intelligence. With a solid professional record — more than fifteen fights to his name and only one loss — he has established himself as one of the most intriguing foreign boxers on the Canadian circuit.
According to professional boxer Kenny Chery:
“Stéphane Fondjo, originally from Cameroon, is a boxer who could quite accurately be nicknamed Mr. Worldwide.”
Indeed, he has fought in Mexico, Thailand, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada, while also having lived in Dubai. His journey is a unique one: it was Shawn Collinson — well known for working with several EOTTM fighters — who convinced him to settle in Canada, where he now trains under the guidance of Ian MacKillop.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Ian MacKillop
Fondjo embodies the prototype of the athletic boxer par excellence: very tall for the 168-pound category and boasting remarkable conditioning, one could easily imagine him excelling in other sports like basketball. Possessing an excellent jab, a heavy right hand, and outstanding distance management, he has, since arriving in Canada, greatly improved his bodywork — notably thanks to a fearsome lead hook. A complete boxer-puncher, Fondjo also excels in counterpunching, seizing every opening to punish a careless opponent. With his imposing frame and natural power, he is capable of dictating the pace and wearing down those who try to contain him.
Chery concludes:
“Clearly, this fight could turn out to be much more interesting than people think — especially given how little time Steven Butler has had to adjust.”
Photo: 12round.ca – Kenny Chery
Cameroonian Boxing
Over the years, several boxers from Cameroon have found success in Montreal, a city that has become a true hub for international boxing. Among them, Hermann Ngoudjo, born in Douala, was one of the first to break through on the Quebec professional scene. I’ll say it again — he fought in four eliminators and beat José Luis Castillo and Paulie Malignaggi, no matter what the judges thought.
Olivier Lontchi, also from Cameroon, made his mark in the super bantamweight division with strong performances in front of Montreal crowds and even fought for a world title against Juan Manuel Lopez.
Today, Christian Mbilli, born in Yaoundé and now residing in Montreal, proudly carries the Cameroonian torch as a leading figure in the middleweight division. Dieudonné Wilfried Seyi Ntsengue is now established here as a trainer, after once inspiring us in the ring, while Paul Mbongo, another Cameroonian pioneer, left his mark on Quebec’s boxing scene.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Christian Mbilli
Now, Stéphane Fondjo is about to take the next big step in his career with a prestigious showdown against Steven Butler — a golden opportunity to make a name for himself with the general public and prove that Cameroon can still produce world-class boxers.
On the podcast:
Ian MacKillop once again finds himself in the opponent’s corner for a major fight involving an EOTTM boxer. After Shakeel Phinn’s bout with Wilkens Mathieu, he’ll be seeking redemption with Stéphane Fondjo. I’ll never forget his trilogy with Sébastien Demers and his victory in Australia over Shannan Taylor, where he became Eurasian champion — a rare feat for a boxer from New Brunswick.
Photo: Jeff Lockhart – Shakeel Phinn vs Wilkens Mathieu
Journalist Claude Olivier Banaken likes to refer to Fondjo as a “Francis N’Gannou in the making.”
