To begin with, I love Steven Butler. In fact, I think he’s the perfect fighter from a promoter’s perspective. He was born to fight, and that’s even more true when you consider that he’s the grandson of Marshall Butler and the son of Clint Butler, two men who left their mark on Quebec boxing with their fists.
Steven Butler is cut from an old-school mold, the kind of fighter who fears nothing and no one. At a time when records are carefully manufactured and opponents are handpicked, “Bang Bang” would gladly fight Edgar Berlanga in July, step in for Christian Mbilli if needed in September, and finish the year with a rematch against Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Steven Butler has had three father figures in his life, each of whom played an important role in his development. Clint Butler, an intense man, as evidenced by his hockey career, but widely regarded as a devoted father and grandfather. It’s from him that Steven inherited his fearless mentality, which has served him well throughout his professional boxing career. Win or lose, Steven always delivers exciting fights thanks to his aggression and courage. Then there’s Rénald Boisvert, a boxing genius who has watched over him as his trainer since he was eight years old. And finally, Camille Estephan, who loves him like a son, taught him how to collect Rolex watches and buy homes on Montreal’s North Shore.
Photo: Virginie Assay – Rénald Boisvert and Steven Butler
I was absolutely stunned when I learned last Tuesday that Steven Butler would be facing Edgar Berlanga on a Zuffa Boxing card at Madison Square Garden on July 26. If you know me, you know I have a detailed career plan for every Quebec boxer saved in my Notes app. Let me open the Steven Butler file for you.
I would have borrowed the David Lemieux blueprint
I’m still impressed by the way David Lemieux’s career was built. Yes, he had tremendous punching power, but his team amplified the character as much as the fighter. Fernand Guerrero had already been knocked down twice by Peter Quillin before facing Lemieux. He arrived in Quebec looking like he was ready to be sacrificed. Lemieux won his world title against Hassan N’Dam, who had previously been dropped six times by Peter Quillin. Lemieux then knocked him down four more times. Glen Tapia had just spent three days in the hospital after being knocked out by Michel Soro, a fighter not known for his power and who competed a division below, before being matched with Lemieux. Even Curtis Stevens had to attend the IBF’s next-day weigh-in alone. Everything was carefully calculated to create the “David Lemieux phenomenon.” I would have drawn inspiration from that strategy to give Steven Butler one last opportunity to fight for a world title.
Author’s note: Lemieux is one of the hardest punchers Quebec has ever produced, but his team also knew how to capitalize on that God-given gift to maximize his career and build his legacy. I’m not questioning his punching power, quite the opposite. I’m applauding the way his career was managed, allowing him to become world champion and earn fights against Gennady Golovkin, Billy Joe Saunders, and David Benavidez.
Photo: YouTube – Steven Butler
I would have guided Steven Butler back toward a world title by matching him with highly ranked opponents moving up from the weight class below, fighters who don’t possess devastating power. A little strategy and calculated matchmaking for Butler’s own good because, as I’ve said before, he has suffered five knockout losses. The next knockout defeat could very well mark the end of his career. While it might not have been as lucrative, I would have targeted a streak of three or four consecutive wins over opponents such as Spain’s José Luis Navarro (17-2, 12 KOs), legitimate contender Simon Zachenhuber (28-1, 17 KOs), and, if the goal remained the U.S. market, Junior Younan (22-0-1, 14 KOs). The idea would have been to work his way back toward a world title while maximizing exposure and media attention and minimizing risk as much as possible.
And what about Edgar Berlanga?
This is one of those rare occasions where I don’t have a firm opinion. Berlanga was badly shaken by Hamzah Sheeraz, and his record was carefully built to sell us something he simply isn’t—a future superstar who would fill Madison Square Garden twenty times over. He’ll never become a world champion, nor will he ever belong among the top five fighters in any division. That said, he’s still a naturally big super middleweight with legitimate punching power and an aggressive, explosive fighting style.
From an expert boxing analyst’s perspective, Steven Butler has an inconsistent jab, average footwork, a tendency to hunt for the knockout punch, and technical skills that rank below the elite level of the division. Those are precisely the reasons he was selected as the opponent to help relaunch Edgar Berlanga’s career. On the other hand, Butler punches hard and, especially in the early rounds, has the ability to fight fire with fire against “The Chosen One.”
Photo: Boxing News 24 – Edgar Berlanga (left)
I would have handled things differently, but Edgar Berlanga is beatable, and at this stage of his career, he’s far from unbeatable.
