Steven “Bang Bang” Butler lived up to his nickname Thursday night. He did not let go of his opponent Brandon Brewer an inch during the 10 rounds of great intensity that the two Canadian pugilists engaged in the cabaret of the Casino de Montreal.
Posted at 12:14 a.m.
The Montrealer (30-3-1, 25 K.-O.) won at the limit by unanimous decision. He thus obtained the NABF middleweight title (161 pounds), which was vacant.
“Damn, he was tough!” Butler exclaimed to the media right away. Luckily I was in good shape, even in bad shape. He has a whole jaw. He has heart. I give him my credit and respect. »
It is that the New Brunswicker (25-2-2, 11 K.-O.) surprised by his resistance to the insistent attacks of the local favorite. He cashed them in at a brisk pace throughout the brawl.
“I think the referee should have stopped the fight. He was no longer answering. […] He was no longer doing anything.
The fighter from the Maritimes still managed to place solid strikes, especially at the start of the engagement. Without really shaking Butler.
But it was in the final rounds that Brewer seemed to lack energy. The outcome of the fight was then no longer in doubt.
“Every round from the sixth onwards, he was getting shaken up,” Butler said. I saw his eyes flinch. Honestly, he’s tough, he’s got heart. But he’s going to have a headache tomorrow. »
The importance of experience
Steven Butler repeated it a few times during his short interview with journalists: he felt “in the form of an elite boxer”.
“I showed zero fatigue during the fight, he rejoiced. It was a big 10 rounds. It’s a great experience for me. »
He talks about “controlling his emotions” to last until the end.
Previously, he wanted “all the time knocker [ses] adversaries” by “neglecting [sa] defensive. »
“I would have been able to do 12 rounds today”, he estimates, recalling that the world championship fights are of this length.
“It’s experience, it’s baggage. It’s very good for the path we’re going. »
A new title for Bazinyan
If we had sparks in the semi-finals, the main event was much more subdued.
Laval resident Erik Bazinyan (28-0, 21 K.-O.) covered himself with belts by winning by unanimous decision against Argentinian Marcelo Esteban Coceres (30-4-1, 16 K.-O. ).
Two super middleweight titles (168 pounds) were at stake: the vacant NABA title and the NABF title, which Bazinyan had held since March.
The Eye of The Tiger Management protege was not put in too much danger during the fight which went to the limit of 10 rounds.
Bazinya, 27, therefore remains undefeated.