Camille Estephan didn’t seem to be in a very good mood when Erik Bazinyan — either injured or too heavy — pulled out of the fight against Steven Butler for a third time.
If the main event remains 100% local, it is still 100% intriguing with the presence of Stéphane Fondjo. The Cameroonian, who served as a main sparring partner for Shakeel Phinn, was preparing for a fight on November 8 before receiving the opportunity of a lifetime: a duel with Steven Butler.
This last-minute fight, put together by Eye of the Tiger, perfectly symbolizes the spirit of Montreal boxing: a mix of unexpected opportunities and crossed destinies. One man’s joy is another man’s misfortune… or when Bazinyan gets injured and Fondjo benefits.
Stéphane Fondjo is a Cameroonian boxer with a career as unusual as it is inspiring. Born in Batié, in western Cameroon, he first trained in his home country before pursuing an international career driven by unshakable 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 step in his personal and professional development.
Photo: Tapology – Stéphane Fondjo
“To accomplish great things, sometimes you have to suffer. I left my family behind eight years ago to cross the Atlantic and, one day, give them a better life. Every day since, I’ve made every sacrifice to achieve 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 in the ring on November 13, it’s Butler who’s going to suffer,” promised Stéphane Fondjo.
From a sporting standpoint, Fondjo competes in the super-middleweight division (168 lbs). He displays an explosive and disciplined style, blending power, mobility, and tactical intelligence. With a solid professional record — more than fifteen fights under his belt with 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 easily be nicknamed Mr. Worldwide, without exaggeration.”
Indeed, he has fought in Mexico, Thailand, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada, while also having lived in Dubai. His path is unique: it was notably Shawn Collinson — well known for working with several EOTTM boxers — who convinced him to settle in Canada, where he now trains under Ian MacKillop.
Fondjo embodies the prototype of the athletic boxer par excellence: very tall for the 168-pound division and equipped with remarkable conditioning, one could easily imagine him performing in other sports like basketball. With an excellent jab, a heavy right hand, and exemplary distance control, he has, since his arrival in the country, greatly improved his body work, especially thanks to a devastating lead hook. A complete boxer-puncher, Fondjo also excels on the counterattack, taking advantage of every opening to punish an imprudent opponent. With his imposing frame and natural power, he can dictate the pace and wear down those who try to contain him.
Photo: 12round.ca – Kenny Cherry
Chery concludes:
“Clearly, this fight could turn out to be much more interesting than people think, especially with the short adjustment time given to Steven Butler.”
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, became one of the first to break through on the Quebec professional scene. I’m repeating myself, but he fought four eliminators and beat José Luis Castillo and Paulie Malignaggi, regardless of what the judges said.
Olivier Lontchi, also from Cameroon, made his mark in the super-bantamweight division with strong performances in front of Montreal crowds and went on to challenge Juan Manuel Lopez for a world title.
Today, Christian Mbilli, born in Yaoundé and now a Montreal resident, proudly carries the Cameroonian flag as a major figure in the middleweight division. Dieudonné Wilfried Seyi Ntsengue is now established here as a trainer after making us dream in the ring, while Paul Mbongo, another Cameroonian pioneer, left his mark on Quebec’s boxing scene.
Today, Stéphane Fondjo is preparing to take a new step in his career with a high-profile matchup against Steven Butler — a golden opportunity to make a name for himself with the general public and show that Cameroon can still produce world-class boxers.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Ian Mackillop
In the podcast:
Ian MacKillop once again finds himself in the opposite corner for an important fight involving an EOTTM boxer. After Shakeel Phinn versus Wilkens Mathieu, he’ll be looking for revenge with Stéphane Fondjo. I will never forget his trilogy with Sébastien Demers nor his victory in Australia against Shannan Taylor, where he became Eurasian champion. A rare accomplishment for a boxer from New Brunswick.
Journalist Claude Olivier Banaken likes to refer to Fondjo as a Francis Ngannou in the making.
