Phinn and Bazinyan Draw

By: William Dumoulin

Photo credit: Eye of the Tiger – Vincent Ethier

There is an observable rise in the number of local fights in Quebec. After Butler-Rolls, Eye of the Tiger (EOTTM) presented us with a major 100% Quebecois clash between Laval's Erik Bazinyan and Brossard's Shakeel Phinn. This fight was initially scheduled for April 11, but due to Bazinyan's sinusitis, it was postponed to May 2. Here is an overview of the evening.

In the evening's main event, as previously mentioned, Quebecers Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KO) and Shakeel Phinn (26-3-2, 17 KO) faced off in a 10-round bout with the NABF and WBA Continental super-middleweight titles at stake. Most observers expected a dominant performance from the Laval resident, given his experience and impressive technical background. However, it was Phinn's physical strength, punching power, and volume of punches that prevailed. Despite an incredible performance from Phinn, the judges delivered scorecards that resulted in a draw (97-93 Phinn, 96-94 Bazinyan, and 95-95). Both Bazinyan's promoter, Camille Estephan, and Phinn's promoter, Tyler Buxton, expressed openness to arranging a rematch between the two fighters.

In the co-main event, Avery-Martin Duval (11-0-1, 7 KO), whose last fight in January was canceled at the last minute, returned to the ring after an absence of nearly a year. On this occasion, he faced Ezequiel Palaversic (8-3-1, 4 KO) in an 8-round bout. Duval's speed and technique allowed him to KO his opponent in the 4th round. He then surprised the press by declaring his interest in facing his local rival, Thomas Chabot.

Speaking of Chabot, after several injuries and fight cancellations, Thomas "The Ghost" Chabot (10-0, 8 KO) was finally back in action against Mexican Alfredo Jiminez Espino (6-2-1, 2 KO). Espino had drawn in his last appearance in Quebec against Montreal's Jean Gardy François. Chabot wasted no time putting pressure on his opponent and won by TKO in the 5th round.

Seeking to maintain his 100% KO ratio, Jhon Orobio (8-0, 8 KO) faced Christian Palma (33-15-2, 7 KO) in a 6-round bout. Palma had gone 3 rounds with another Eye of the Tiger Management protégé, Arthur Biyarslanov. Orobio managed to surpass Biyarslanov by stopping Palma in the 2nd round.

Buckingham's powerhouse, Alexandre Gaumont (9-0, 6 KO), fought Abdallah Luanja (17-11-2, 12 KO) over 6 rounds. Gaumont wasted no time in knocking out Luanja in the 2nd round.

French southpaw Moreno Fendero (5-0, 4 KO) fought his first 6-round bout against Argentine veteran Nicolas Luque Palacios (13-11-2, 2 KO). In the final round of the fight, the Frenchman managed to knock out his opponent.

The next two months will be busy for the Eye of the Tiger stable, as two events are scheduled by the promotion. The first will take place on May 25 in Shawinigan, where Christian Mbilli will face Mark Heffron. The second will be on June 6, where Steven Butler and Patrice Volny will clash in another 100% Quebecois duel.