On November 13, Steven Butler delivered a fight in which he had to dig into his last reserves to win. It must be acknowledged that he was put to a severe test, as opponent Stephane Fondjo turned out to be much tougher than expected.
This fight could have gone badly. After shaking Fondjo a few times during the first three rounds, Steven began to slow down little by little, then drastically starting in the fifth round. It was only at the very end of the eighth that Bang Bang pulled himself together, leading him the next round to register a spectacular TKO.
HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS SLOWDOWN BETWEEN THE FIFTH AND EIGHTH ROUND?
After the fight, we obtained some clarification from Steven on this question. His explanations were particularly interesting.
During this discussion, one of us pointed out to Steven that he was using his jab less and less, contrary to what his corner was asking. In response, Steven indicated that Fondjo managed to neutralize the jabs and counterattack.
I believe Steven was right to be wary of this old trap he has fallen into several times. When applying a jab, he still sometimes tilts his head forward out of lack of concentration, making him an easy target. Thus, Steven did well to limit the number of jabs in order to stay more focused on their quality.
But that’s not all! There is another element of the answer just as significant—if not more—that emerged from Steven’s explanations.
Photo: Bernard Brault – Steven Butler vs Stephane Fondjo
A BODY SHOT FROM FONDJO AND FATIGUE FORCED HIM TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO RECOVER
This is what would have led Steven to ease off during those rounds. What is surprising is that he managed to ignore the corner’s directives urging him to increase the pace. In the past, Steven would not have eased off. Exhausted or not, he would never have thought it wise to slow down.
Thus, by being passive during those few rounds, Steven was able to recover and bounce back at the end of the eighth round. In the ninth, you could feel that Bang Bang was back. He had regained the energy he needed to finish the round with power. Unfortunately for Fondjo, he could not avoid the tornado that struck him that night.
HAS STEVEN BUTLER BECOME A MORE MATURE BOXER?
That’s what I believe. In the past, it was his heightened emotions that prevented him from following his trainers’ instructions to the letter. I complained about it! But now, far from complaining, I congratulate him for not having followed the corner’s instructions entirely.
Steven showed a “rational” side of his boxing that we had either never seen or seen very little before November 13, 2025. One can only hope that rationality and emotion will continue to coexist harmoniously in the future. One last clue makes me think this will be the case.
Photo: Bernard Brault – Steven Butler vs Stephane Fondjo
FOR A BOXER WHO IS LESS ENDURING THAN POWERFUL, ISN’T IT APPROPRIATE TO SAVE ENERGY HERE AND THERE DURING THE FIGHT TO EXPLODE BETTER IN THE LATE ROUNDS?
Steven Butler wouldn’t be the first boxer for whom such a strategy works well. And yes, there was Jean Pascal; but also many others. It’s a matter of ring intelligence, if not maturity.
In this fight against Fondjo, Steven slowed down to the point that several of his fans had reason to worry. But then, in the eighth round, twenty seconds before the end, he leapt at his opponent and delivered about ten punches without the latter being able to respond effectively.
Then in the ninth round, while the corner urged him to give everything, Steven instead began the round with caution. It was only a minute before the end that Bang Bang launched his assault. Like a firework, he chained punches without stopping. And as expected, it was a devastating right hand that ultimately floored Fondjo.
I have long hoped for such a change of mentality from Steven. I believe he showed maturity by waiting for the right moment to give everything.
A BOXER DOES NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW HIS CORNER’S DIRECTIVES BLINDLY
During a fight, the action unfolds continuously. When something unexpected occurs in the middle of a round (ineffective tactic, sudden fatigue, etc.), an experienced and mature boxer must react immediately. He cannot wait for the moment when the corner will be able to give him adjustments.
Moreover, certain aspects of the fight can only be discerned by the boxer himself. The corner cannot always see everything. Especially in terms of how he feels, a sufficiently seasoned boxer is normally the most capable of managing the action in the fight.
Photo: Bernard Brault – Steven Butler et John Scully
On the other hand, the boxer needs the “external eye” of his corner. No matter how skilled and determined he is, a fighter cannot control everything. A balance must be found. I believe Steven Butler has reached the “mature age” that allows him to envision such balance. Besides, maybe it’s at the age of 30 that one finally attains wisdom!
