MONTREAL, October 27, 2025 — Another injury to Erik Bazinyan has forced EOTTM to revise its main event scheduled for November 13. However, it will remain 100% local, as the two-time world title challenger Steven “Bang Bang” Butler will now face Stéphane Fondjo at the Casino de Montréal.
“It’s been weeks since I’ve been making sacrifices away from my family to prepare to face Erik Bazinyan. If he can’t fight, too bad for him — but I never back down, so there was no question I wouldn’t fight on November 13. I don’t back down from anyone, and for once, I’ll have an opponent as hungry as I am. The fans will still get a great local fight, but in the end, I’ll remind everyone — and Fondjo — that I belong at the international level,” commented Steven Butler (36-5-1, 30 KOs), who is in the final weeks of his training camp in Connecticut.
Montrealer Stéphane Fondjo (14-1-1, 9 KOs), originally from Cameroon, was also already in training camp for a fight that was set to take place on November 8. Moreover, the 6’3” athlete was serving as the main sparring partner for Shakeel Phinn ahead of his important fight next Thursday against Wilkens Mathieu. Having previously sparred with Christian Mbilli, Moreno Fendero, and several other Eye of the Tiger protégés, Fondjo sees this fight as an opportunity to prove to everyone that he, too, belongs among the elite of the division — not just inside the gym.
“To achieve great things, you sometimes have to suffer. I left my family behind eight years ago to cross the Atlantic and one day offer them a better life. Every day since, I’ve made every sacrifice to achieve that goal. I respect Steven Butler — he has a similar mentality — but I’ve suffered enough to get here and earn this opportunity. Once we’re in the ring on November 13, it’s Butler who will suffer,” promised Stéphane Fondjo.
“Steven Butler is a high-level boxer who has never backed down from a challenge. He’s proving it once again, and I respect him for that. Both sides will bring determination, but beyond sheer grit, I believe Stéphane’s youth and superior athleticism will make the difference,” said the Quebec “Rocky’s” coach, Ian MacKillop.
Although an intriguing local fight remains in place and athlete health remains Eye of the Tiger’s top priority, the EOTTM team cannot hide its disappointment following this third cancellation.
“I won’t hide the fact that our entire team is extremely disappointed — especially for our fans, who have been waiting for this fight for several months. The health of our athletes will always be a priority, but after three consecutive injuries, it’s clear we’ll need to sit down with Erik to evaluate what comes next for his career,” said EOTTM president Camille Estephan.
The rest of the strong November 13 card — now headlined by #ButlerFondjo — remains unchanged. In his first career co-main event, adopted Montrealer Jhon Orobio (15-0, 13 KOs) will make his first defense of the WBC Continental super lightweight title against former world champion Xolisani Ndongeni (33-7, 19 KOs).
On the undercard, Montreal’s Luis Santana (14-0, 7 KOs) will face Portuguese fighter Pedro Manuel Gomes (13-3, 3 KOs), fresh off a win against Canadian champion Mark Smither. EOTTM’s 2024 Prospect of the Year Moreno Fendero (12-0, 10 KOs) will compete in his first scheduled 10-round bout against American puncher William Langston (14-4-1, 9 KOs). Canadian Olympic medalist Wyatt Sanford (4-0, 2 KOs) will take on Czech fighter Petr Novak (3-0-1, 2 KOs) in a battle of undefeated boxers. Young prospect Erik Israyelyan (2-0, 2 KOs) will continue his development against Chilean pugilist Mario Esparza (2-1). Finally, Trois-Rivières native Daylen Pepin will make his professional debut in an all-Quebec clash against Alexendre Giraldeau Perron (2-1, 1 KO).
The #ButlerFondjo event will be presented to a sold-out crowd on November 13 at the Casino de Montréal. The public can watch the event live from 6:30 p.m. on Punching Grace. Photos from the latest fights of Steven Butler, Jhon Orobio, and EOTTM’s undercard fighters are also available (HERE).
