Photo: Vincent Ethier – Steven Butler
He could have given up a thousand times. After the brutal knockouts. After the doubts. After the scathing comments from those who only see boxing as a record on BoxRec. Steven Butler, however, is still here.
The 28-year-old boxer has seen it all: the hopes placed in him since his teenage years, a promoter who compares him to Sidney Crosby, being a headliner before his 21st birthday. He has tasted two world championships, sometimes in violent, even humiliating ways. But he always gets back up, and his goal remains the same: to become world champion. This unfailing resilience is his greatest victory.
Butler is more than a record or rankings; it’s the story of a young man who could have given up on his dream several times, but who is still standing, fighting for his goal.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Steven Butler
Times are changing
The public has always held this pettiness towards Steven Butler. This is probably due to the expectations placed on him early in his career. EOTTM is no longer the same company, and at 168 pounds, the headliners are Christian Mbilli and Osleys Iglesias. Steven Butler could take advantage of this to make his mark, knock out some good fighters, and return to the top of the rankings. With smart matchmaking, a few resounding wins, and a little luck, Steven Butler could return to world championship contention. Three’s a charm, as the saying goes.
“I’m done” – Steven Butler, after being knocked out by Jose de Jesus Macias.
Photo: EOTTM – Macias and Butler (2021)
We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Butler returned from a year-long hiatus after his defeat in Japan against Ryota Murata, and was placed in the final of a gala in Mexico against Jose de Jesus Macias. The original idea was to pit Steven against Francis Lafrenière, but the living legend from Saint-Clet wasn’t keen on Mexico… So he was replaced by the man who had defeated him: Jose de Jesus Macias. Steven flew around the ring, peppering the Mexican boxer, who waited for a mistake… not two or three, just one, to knock out Steven Butler.
Still yes
He’s a real troublemaker, this Jesus de Jose Macias. In Quebec alone, he beat Steven Butler and Francis Lafrenière, in addition to making life difficult for Mikael Zewski and Erik Bazinyan.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Erik Bazinyan and Steven Butler
When Bazinyan was injured and forced to withdraw from the semifinal bout in Quebec City, Butler had the opportunity to avenge his defeat in Mexico. He enthusiastically said yes before Jordan Mathieu, in his capacity as matchmaker, could finish his sentence.
Steven Butler (35-5-1, 29 KOs) and Jose de Jesus Macias (29-13-4, 15 KOs) now face off again, four years after the Mexican’s sweeping victory. Butler will be looking to reverse the trend, while Macias wants to see history repeat itself.
For Butler, this is a risky fight, with no real room for error. A convincing victory will allow him to climb the rankings and put himself back into serious discussion. A defeat… especially if it’s brutal and by knockout, could spell the end for him. He’s back to face the boxer who hurt him the most—and I’m not talking about between the lines. This Macias made him believe he was finished, that he even had to move on. He had to pull himself together and rebuild himself, which he seems to have done thanks to trainer John Scully. Steven gets along well with this old-school trainer. His gym reeks of boxing. Scully is also very experienced in very high-level fights.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Steven Butler
“After two consecutive training camps, I’m not hungry, I’m furious. He’s no Erik Bazinyan, but it’s even better: Macias and I have a score to settle. The rhetoric was for local fights. For a rematch, it’s time for violence. I’ll have my rematch on June 27th,” declared two-time world title contender Steven Butler.
It’s happening on the 27th
June 27th won’t be just another boxing match at the Videotron Centre. It will be a decisive chapter in the story of a man who refuses to disappear. Steven Butler isn’t coming back for the likes or the headlines. He’s coming back because he still believes, deep down, that he has something to offer this sport.
Maybe he’ll fall again. Maybe he’ll win by knockout. But one thing is certain: as long as there’s a ring, gloves, and a dream, Steven Butler will show up. Simple as that.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Steven Butler and Steve Rolls
In the podcast: Rosemont Edition
Rosemont native Antoine Jean was named to the NCAA Division 1 All-American Team. The 23-year-old left-hander had a .253 points-against average with the Houston Cougars.
Rosemont producer Danny Ill has just produced the album ra
p. 2025 “Le Mile-end sur la map” by Fléau DiCaprio. The first time I listened to it, I realized that Quebec rap would never be the same again.
Photo: Houston Cougars – Antoine Jean
