Erik Bazinyan, the undisputed king of the NABF super-middleweight division, holding an impeccable record of 32 wins with zero losses, is ready to defend his crown for the seventh time. He faces Shakeel Phinn, a fighter with a record that’s not too shabby—26 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, and 17 knockouts. The 10-round slugfest will be unleashed on May 21 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, with live streaming available on Punching Grace and ESPN+ starting at 7:00 PM.
Weights:
- Erik Bazinyan – 167.5 lbs (76.0 kg) vs. Shakeel Phinn – 167.3 lbs (75.9 kg)
- Avery Martin-Duval – 132.7 lbs (60.2 kg) vs. Ezequiel Palaversic – 130 lbs (59.0 kg)
- Thomas Chabot – 131.3 lbs (59.6 kg) vs. Alfredo Jimenez Espino – 133.4 lbs (60.5 kg)
- Jhon Orobio – 139.3 lbs (63.2 kg) vs. Cristian Palma – 139.7 lbs (63.4 kg)
- Alexandre Gaumont – 157.7 lbs (71.5 kg) vs. Abdallah Luanja – 154.5 lbs (70.1 kg)
- Moreno Fendero – 161.7 lbs (73.4 kg) vs. Nicolas Luque Palacios – 160.8 lbs (73.0 kg)
Eye of the Tiger Management, seemingly desperate to keep Montreal on the boxing map, has thrown Erik Bazinyan against Phinn in what they hope will be more than just a routine defense. They’re banking on keeping Bazinyan sharp for a future brawl with world champ Canelo Alvarez, who’s currently cluttering up the top spot.
Bazinyan is fiercely holding onto his position in the world rankings of four major boxing federations, treating the NABF title like it’s his lifeblood. His track record includes wiping the floor with Ronald Ellis in six rounds last October and demolishing Billie Facundo Godoy in just three rounds. Make no mistake, Bazinyan is out for blood, showing he’s got the chops to climb to the top.
The past connection between Bazinyan and Phinn stretches back to their amateur days over a decade ago. Respect is due, but when the bell tolls, expect all friendliness to vanish. Bazinyan is hellbent on keeping his slate clean and gunning for that world title opportunity.
Shakeel Phinn, meanwhile, has been lurking in the shadows of the Montreal fight scene, itching to make an explosive return after a two-year hiatus. With a recent streak of five victories, Phinn is hungry to snatch Bazinyan’s belt and disrupt the rankings. Renowned for his resilience and ability to pull off surprises, as demonstrated by his latest first-round knockout, Phinn is ready to turn the tables.
Event Details:
- Date: May 21, 2024
- Start Time: 7:00 PM EST (USA) / 12:00 AM BST (UK, May 22)
- Streaming: Punching Grace, ESPN+
- Venue: Cabaret du Casino de Montréal
Updated Fight Card:
- Erik Bazinyan vs. Shakeel Phinn
- Avery Martin-Duval vs. Ezequiel Palaversic
- Thomas Chabot vs. Alfredo Jimenez Espino
- Jhon Orobio vs. Cristian Palma
- Alexandre Gaumont vs. Abdallah Luanja
- Moreno Fendero vs. Nicolas Luque Palacios