Erik Bazinyan Returns After Two-Year Layoff, Stops Steven Butler by TKO in Montreal

Armenian professional boxer Erik Bazinyan (33-1-1, 24 KOs) made a successful return to the ring after more than two years away from boxing. On November 12, he scored a technical knockout victory over Canadian fighter Steven Butler (38-7-1, 32 KOs) at an Eye of the Tiger boxing event held at Casino de Montréal in Canada.

The super middleweight bout (168 lbs / 76.2 kg) was scheduled for ten rounds and ended just 22 seconds into the final round.

Bazinyan controlled much of the contest, consistently putting pressure on his opponent. In the fifth round, the Armenian boxer seriously hurt Butler with a clean right hand before continuing to build on his advantage.

Late in the ninth round, Bazinyan sent his opponent to the canvas, although the referee did not officially rule it a knockdown. By that point, Bazinyan was comfortably ahead on the scorecards, leading 89-82 after nine rounds.

The decisive moment came at the very beginning of the tenth round. Bazinyan landed a powerful right hand followed by a series of accurate punches. Butler dropped to one knee and managed to get back to his feet before the referee completed the count. However, referee Junior Padulo determined that the Canadian could not safely continue and stopped the fight.

The official stoppage time was 22 seconds into the tenth round.

Bazinyan Secures First Victory Since Jaime Munguia Defeat

For Erik Bazinyan, this was his first professional appearance since September 2024, when he suffered the first defeat of his career against Mexican boxer Jaime Munguia, losing by knockout in the tenth round.

Following that loss, Bazinyan remained out of the ring for more than two years. His comeback had been postponed several times, including due to injuries.

The victory over Butler ended the Armenian boxer's lengthy absence and improved his professional record to 33 wins, one loss and one draw, with 24 of those victories coming inside the distance.

For Steven Butler, the defeat marked the seventh loss of his professional career and his second consecutive defeat. In July 2026, the Canadian was also stopped by American boxer Edgar Berlanga.

Bazinyan's successful comeback gives him an opportunity to work his way back toward the top of the super middleweight division. However, his next opponent has yet to be announced.