Every time a fight between Steven Butler and Erik Bazinyan has been announced, unforeseen circumstances have thrown a wrench in the plans. The first three attempts were cancelled due to injuries on the Armenian boxer’s side, but he now claims to be in excellent shape and ready to take on the challenge. But will this finally be the time it happens?
There’s no doubt that the stakes won’t be the same as they were when the fight was first scheduled for March 2025 at Espace Saint-Denis.
At the time, Steven Butler had just moved up to super middleweight, and nobody really knew how well the transition would go. Meanwhile, Erik Bazinyan was coming off a courageous performance against Jaime Munguia, one of the division’s top fighters.
Photo: Mikey Williams – Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan
And honestly, based on how things stood at the time, I saw “Bzo” coming away with a victory over “BangBang.” But since then, the fight has been cancelled. Not once, not twice, but three times.
Steven Butler therefore had the opportunity to avenge his loss to Jose de Jesus Macias when the fight was cancelled for the second time, in Quebec City in June 2025.
He then won the main event against Fondjo following the third cancellation, in November 2025. While Bazinyan remained inactive, Steven also knocked out the tough Hiseni before suffering a valiant defeat against Berlanga in New York last July.
Photo: Ed Mulholland – Edgar Berlanga vs Steven Butler
So, who is the favourite now?
It’s become extremely difficult to predict the outcome of this fight, nearly a year and a half after its original scheduled date.
Bazinyan’s talent is still there, there’s no denying that. But will his injuries have an impact? Will his lengthy layoff show in the opening rounds?
These are all possible scenarios.
But Erik couldn’t have asked for a tune-up opponent, especially considering that the first three fights were cancelled because he was unable to make it to the ring.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Erik Bazinyan vs Steven Butler
This is the version of the Armenian fighter who will step into the ring: a fighter displaying absolute confidence in his victory, but who hasn’t fought a single time in more than two years.
As for Steven, he has made tremendous progress over those two years. Sure, he is coming off a loss, but it was against a formidable opponent.
In my opinion, that defeat could even serve as an additional source of motivation, giving Bazinyan all the more reason to be cautious from the moment the opening bell rings.
Personally, I therefore see Steven as a slight favourite.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Steven Butler
What’s at stake?
Well, this probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone: Erik Bazinyan doesn’t really have a choice anymore. He has to step into the ring on November 12.
Without claiming to be an expert on the matter, it seems to me that if the fight were cancelled for a fourth time, Eye of the Tiger might eventually lose patience. But more importantly, it would not be an exaggeration to say that both fighters’ careers are on the line.
Camille Estephan recently stated that he wanted to see Steven Butler retire. And Erik Bazinyan is coming off an extended absence… For Steven Butler, the hope of one last run starts with a victory over Erik Bazinyan.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Camille Estephan, Steven Butler, Erik Bazinyan and Antonin Décarie
Likewise, if Bazinyan wants to prove that he still has what it takes to pursue the biggest honours in boxing, he has no choice but to defeat Steven Butler. The problem is that only one fighter can come out on top.
But as we’ve seen, Eye of the Tiger is no longer hesitant to match two of its own fighters against each other. They’re doing it with Luis Santana and Dzmitry Asanau in a few weeks in Quebec City, and now they’ve announced this matchup between Butler and Bazinyan.
It’s not unreasonable to think that they want to do a little housecleaning as their stable continues to grow. They can no longer afford to invest in fighters who won’t take them all the way. Those who want to remain with the stable will therefore have to prove themselves in the ring.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jose de Jesus Macias vs Erik Bazinyan
