Montreal puncher Steven Butler (37-5-1, 31 KOs) will return this Thursday against Swiss contender Ramadan Hiseni (22-2-2, 8 KOs). In addition to being a WBA Continental Championship bout, it’s also a revenge fight for EOTTM after Hiseni previously pulled off upsets against Gaumont and Khataev.
But that’s not all. Cuban fighter Lenar Perez will make his EOTTM debut in the co-main event against former world champion Isaac Chilemba. Jhon Orobio will attempt to defend his WBC Continental title for the third time against Puerto Rican veteran Yomar Alamo, and Moreno Fendero will fight in his first championship bout against American Shawn McCalman.
Also in action: the 50th professional fight of Steve “The Dragon” Claggett, along with the return of Quebec prospects Daylen Pepin and Dante Tice.
What should you watch for? Who wins? And how? Here are the answers five experts gave to Punching Grace, in partnership with Mise-o-jeu+.
Photo: Bernard Brault – Ramadan Hiseni and Alex Gaumont
Is This the One?
To quote Jean-Sebastien Fournier: “It would be nice if Butler knocked out that spoiler.”
The “spoiler” being Ramadan Hiseni, who has already derailed EOTTM’s plans twice as the underdog.
And to Jean-Sebastien’s delight, according to William Dumoulin — this time is the one.
“I expect a close fight, similar to Butler–Fondjo, but I believe Steven will eventually hurt Hiseni and stop him in the final three rounds,” predicts the Boxing News QC columnist.
Key Stats to keep in mind
Ramadan Hiseni has never been stopped in 26 fights. Steven Butler is undefeated (15-0, 12 KOs) against European fighters. He is also undefeated (3-0, 3 KOs) at super middleweight, just like Hiseni (4-0, 3 KOs).
Photo: Jeff Lockhart – Stephane Fondjo and Steven Butler
Which Chilemba Will Show Up Against Perez?
In the co-main event, we’ll get the classic “youth vs. experience” matchup, as Isaac Chilemba comes to Quebec for the third time, hoping to spoil Lenar Perez’s Montreal debut.
“It’s incredible to see Chilemba back in Montreal. At his best, he fought Eleider Alvarez in 2015 in Quebec. Everything seems in place for a big KO from Perez,” believes Punching Grace analyst and TVA Sports contributor Matt Casavant.
However, columnist Nathan Décarie notes: “Even if his record isn’t the flashiest, Isaac Chilemba is an extremely durable veteran who has faced the very best.”
According to him, there won’t be a “big KO,” and Perez will need to work all 10 rounds to earn a decision victory.
Photo: Boxing News – Lenar Perez
Will Orobio Make a Statement?
Jhon Orobio will also have a chance to send a strong message against hard-hitting Puerto Rican Yomar Alamo.
Alamo has gone the distance with Top Rank super-prospect “Tiger” Johnson, technician Jamaine Ortiz, former world champion Liam Paro, and has completed eight rounds with current world champion Richardson Hitchins.
Could Orobio dispatch him faster?
“Alamo is very solid, and his résumé speaks for itself… That said, I believe Orobio is a special talent, and he’ll prove it Thursday night,” analyzes Anson Wainwright of Ring Magazine.
He agrees with Nathan Décarie, who sees this fight as Orobio’s “coming-out party” on the world stage — even predicting “El Tigre” wins in the 4th round, twice as fast as champion Hitchins.
Photo: Bernard Brault – Jhon Orobio
A Trap Fight for Fendero?
Moreno “The Soldier” Fendero will be in the spotlight Thursday night against Shawn “The Amazing” McCalman.
His super middleweight continental title fight opens the evening at 6:30 p.m. on Punching Grace and TVA Sports — scheduled early to accommodate DAZN France’s prime-time broadcast.
Viewers from Montreal to Paris will see him face a serious challenge.
“I’m worried about Moreno. In his last fight, he struggled against a tall American boxer… Now they’re bringing him back against an even better tall American boxer… This will either be a stroke of genius or a major matchmaking mistake by EOTTM,” comments Laurent Poulin of Boxingtown Québec.
William Dumoulin predicts a repeat of last November’s bout, where Fendero had to work hard against William Langston.
“I think he’ll start strong… then struggle in the later rounds,” he notes, adding that in his only loss, McCalman gave Diego Pacheco a tremendous fight.
After the Langston bout, Fendero dropped from 2nd to 12th in Lucas Ketelle’s 2025 Prospect of the Year rankings. In a recent interview with Boxingscene, Fendero promised that the fight against McCalman will immediately remind everyone that he is the future of the super middleweight division.
But even if Fendero promises a one-sided victory, the betting odds for this opening fight are likely to be razor-thin. And what about the main event, with Hiseni still undefeated in two underdog appearances?
In short, Thursday night promises to be just as exciting on Punching Grace as it will be on Mise-o-jeu+.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Moreno Fendero
