ON The Watch “It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS”

Eastern Conference Semifinals

With the first round officially over, we can now set our focus on the second round of attention-grabbing match ups. The only team claiming a four-game sweep in the first round of exciting action was the No. 3 seeded Eastern team the Philadelphia 76ers who fought tooth and nail and eventually overpowered the Brooklyn Nets game by game. If the 76ers can maintain their focus on both sides of the court, they can definitely bring that heat to the No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics who have been looking stronger and stronger game by game. However, with Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown balling out of their mind as of late, I can only expect an incredible shootout come Game 1 of the second round. Real Talk!

With the fall of the No. 1 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks at the hands of the No. 8 Seeded Miami Heat, the Eastern Conference Playoffs have taken a serious shift. The Heat will have to capitalize on this great first round win and continue with the momentum when they take on the No. 5 Seeded New York Knicks. The Knicks have been looking sharp and motivated game by game, but that said Jimmy Butler has put the Heat on his back playing out of his mind and looking like an “Equalizer” that can’t be stopped. An intriguing matchup to pay attention too. Real Talk!

Tune in this Sunday April 30, 2023, for round two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia”

The Moment

Last night’s PBC/Showtime PPV Main Event between Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 Kos) and Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 Kos) unquestionably lived up to the hype and shook the jam-packed building at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

Both combatants talked a lot of sh*t towards the build-up of this bout but truth be told the inside of that squared circle is the original truth teller of them all and the one that walked it like he talked it and backed up every word is none other than Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Both combatants came out the gate very confident from round one but it was Tank who established his presence first by dropping an eager Ryan for a quick 8 count in the second round. In doing so, Ryan became more worrisome of Tank’s power and deviated slightly from the original “game plan” at hand, while Tank stayed cool and calm round by round.

Ryan attempted to press the action at times but kept on overreaching being countered by a very calculative Tank who seemed to always be ready at all times. Tank did not make it easy for Ryan who visibly outsized him in length and size but still wasn’t able to land anything of significance enough to slow Tank down.

With desperation and the rounds mounting on Ryan’s back, Ryan attempted to go blow for blow with Tank and succumbed to a vicious counter body shot in round 7 that forced him to take a knee, unable to answer the referee’s count. It was a delayed reaction type punch but in definitely closed the show in an emphatic fashion.

That being said, this was an exciting bout from start to finish and both combatants showed up and performed and the better man won. Ryan can keep his head up high for stepping up to the plate and giving it his best shot.

Congratulations Gervonta on another great performance, tonight was your night.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina”

IBF Junior Lightweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event definitely brought the house down at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales, when IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (17-1-1, 14 Kos) took on former IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Joe Cordina (16-0, 9 Kos) on his home ground of Cardiff.

This was Joe’s second homecoming and he did not disappoint his fans in attendance. Both combatants threw tough leather at each other right from the jump but it was Joe who established early dominance by dropping Rakhimov in the second round for a quick 8 count.

But not to be deterred by the second-round slipup, Rakhimov came out gunning and applying pressure from that point on with both combatants going toe to toe phone booth style round after round.

This bout was a competitive bout from start to finish. Both combatants had their moments hurting each other back and forth making it very hard to call the rounds clearly for either warrior. Rakhimov was busier with his hands and combination shots but the more telling punches were coming from Cordina.

After 12 completed, exciting rounds of actions, the Judges at hand scored it 116-111 for Rakhimov, 115-112 and 114-113 for Cordina giving him the split decision win and the New IBF Junior Lightweight Champion.

I’m not sure how the Judge that scored it 116-111 saw the fight that far apart but I personally think the right combatant won the bout.

Congratulations Joe on becoming a two-time Junior Lightweight Champion. You walked it like you talked it and delivered on the biggest stage.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Sandy Ryan vs Marie-Pier Houle”

Vacant WBO Welterweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event brought us the crowning of a new Champion when Sandy Ryan (6-1, 2 Kos) bested our own Canadian challenger Marie-Pier Houle (8-1-1 2 Kos) at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

This may not have been Sandy’s best showing to date but knowing what was on the line tonight she definitely brought the right pressure on Marie, systematically breaking her down round by round. It wasn’t a pretty fight but it was effective enough to trouble Marie who did not have the right “game plan” to deter Sandy from having her way inside that squared circle.

Marie tried hard in every round – giving it her all but she lacked the right controlled aggression to offset Sandy’s higher work rate as the rounds progressed. Marie showed that she’s definitely tough inside that squared circle but she needed to be more active at times with her own work rate.

Sandy was undeniably looking for a knockout but Marie’s sturdy chin stood up to the assault but was unable to avoid the steady jabs hitting her straight all night.

After 10 rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 unanimously in favor of Sandy Ryan, the New WBO Welterweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Sandy, your future is looking brighter and brighter every time out.

Blaze