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

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang”

WBO Interim-Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 Kos) and challenger Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 kos) at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, Uk, was a case of a cherry pick by Joe’s team gone wrong. Real Talk!

Joyce walked inside that squared circle with absolutely no respect for his opponent but quickly found out within minutes of the first round that he was in there with a “Big Bang” of an opponent who was gamed and willing to bang toe-to-toe with the “Juggernaut”.

Zhang stood his ground early and asserted himself quite well-hitting Joyce flush with some serious heavy shots straight to the dome and drawing first blood from his nose. It was clear to me from the first two rounds that Joyce’s team definitely drew up the wrong “game plan” cause Joyce was there boxing but looking shaky every time he got hit hard.

It was certainly unfamiliar ground for Joyce who was caught off guard at the receiving end of a game warrior. Zhang showed absolutely no fear inside that squared circle. Zhang welcomed the opportunity presented to him and broke Joyce down round by round.

Although Joyce looked more active with his hands, it was Zhang who was doing the most damage with his. Zhang’s power punches completely closed Joyce’s right eye out prompting the ring physician to check his eye in between rounds to eventually having the referee stop the bout in the sixth round.

Nobody in attendance expected this bout to unravel like this but tonight the “Juggernaut” had met his match and succumbed to the hands of the “Big Bang” Zhang.

Congratulations Zhilei Zhang on becoming the New WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion of the World. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS 2023”

NBA Playoffs 2023 (Sweet 16)

With a full 82 Games NBA season now over and the NBA Play-In Tournament successfully completed, we are now officially ready to proceed with the NBA Playoffs 2023.

This year the Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) have reclaimed the “King of The Court” and No. 1 Seed in the entire league while battling it out with key members of their squad missing quite a few games but nonetheless were still able prevail throughout a very competitive season. The Bucks are getting it together at the right time and are driven to reach the mountain top once again.

That being said the No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics (57-25) marginally fell short of the No. 1 Spot but maintained a very strong dominance throughout the league pinning any opponent to be in deep water when coming face to face with the surging Celtics come Playoff time. They showed up this year now it’s time to complete the run to the NBA Finals.

The Philadelphia 76ers (54-28) hold the No. 3 Seed and have been looking quite motivated to silence the naysayers who have been questioning their direction. With Joel Embiid playing at an MVP level and James Harden running the show, the squad is now peaking at the right moment and hopefully on track to reaching the NBA Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) hold the No. 4 Spot while surprisingly being quite competitive night in and night out proving to be a team to be taken seriously throughout this Playoff run. The Cavs have a bonafide star in Donovan Mitchell and a solid nucleus of players looking to follow his lead.

The New York Knicks No. 5 Seed (47-35), the Brooklyn Nets No. 6 Seed (45-37), the Atlanta Hawks No. 7 Seed (41-41) and the Miami Heat No.8 Seed (44-38) all fought extremely hard to have a spot in the Playoffs but will have an even greater time knocking out the higher seeded favourites off their block come “Game night”, resulting in a very intriguing first round of Playoff runs.

The stronghold of the Western Conference has dipped again this year with only two teams crossing over the 50-win column. The Denver Nuggets have secured their No. 1 Seed with a modest (53-29) record and seem to be getting their full squad fully operational at the right time if they plan on reaching the NBA Finals this year. Breathing down their necks are the youngins Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) No. 2 Seed determined to prove they belong at the top but that being said, actions speak louder than words. Them youngins have to show up big and make some serious waves this time around deep into the Playoffs

The Sacramento Kings (48-34) is the surprising No. 3 Seed looking to prove that this is not a fluke. This squad got here the hard way but this Playoff run will be the truth teller of how far they go throughout the Playoffs. The Phoenix Suns (45-37) hold the No. 4 Spot but had to climb from the bottom to get back into the game and with Kevin Durant joining the squad this team is looking more and more like they might have found the missing piece.

The Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) No. 5 Seed, the Defending Champions Golden State Warriors (44-38) No. 6 Seed, the Los Angeles Lakers (43-39) No. 7 Seed and the Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40) No. 8 Seed don’t have much separating them at this point other than the Championship pedigree that the Warriors and the Lakers have over the rest of the Western Conference Playoff teams. They are the two teams that could definitely shake up their Playoff standings after the first rounds of play come to completion.

This year, Playoff runs are interesting from top to bottom so tune in and witness the outcome starting this Saturday April 15, 2023.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jesse Rodriguez vs Christian Gonzalez”

Vacant WBO Flyweight Championship

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between Jesse Rodriguez (18-0, 11 Kos) and Christian Gonzalez (15-2, 5 Kos) was a very entertaining bout for all the fans in attendance at Tech Port’s Boeing Center in San Antonio.

Both combatants threw some serious leather at each other making this bout that much more intriguing but it was Rodriguez who separated himself by showing a level of boxing IQ above his opponent that couldn’t go unnoticed. The kid “BAM” is something special inside that squared circle. For a young kid, his skill set inside that squared circle was visibly growing fight by fight.

Although Jesse did not get the stoppage in this bout, he clearly dominated his opponent who realized he was severely outmatched inside that squared circle and did whatever was needed to survive the duration of the bout. Gonzalez started the bout with a good “game plan” but quickly abandoned it when the pressure was too overwhelming to overcome.

After 12 fully completed rounds, the Judges at hand had no problem calling the bout 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112 unanimously for Jesse Rodriguez.

With this convincing win, Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez picked up the vacant WBO Flyweight Championship Belt of the World and became boxing’s youngest Two-Division World Title holder.

Quite an impressive accolade for the young warrior. Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino”

Lightweight WBC Eliminator

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between former Two-Division Champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 Kos) and Shuichiro Yoshino (16-1, 12 Kos) was quite an impressive introduction that Shakur needed to announce himself to the world in the 135-Pound Division in his own backyard at the Prudential Center in Newark Newark, N.J.

The hard-hitting Yoshino did not expect to deal with this version of Stevenson inside that squared circle. It didn’t take long to notice that Shakur was the stronger combatant of the night. This version of Shakur was fiercer and aggressive with a come forward style of offense that only comes out from time to time and last night, Stevenson was on full display from all angle.

I personally expected Shakur to deal with some type of resistance but every time Yoshino attempted to press the action, he was at the receiving end of Shakur’s able ready heavy shots that eventually dropped him in the second and fourth round for a quick 8 count.

Stevenson uncharacteristically stood his ground from the jump and bullied the supposedly stronger combatant round after round and eventually breaking him down to the point where the referee saw no other option but to halt the bout saving Yoshino from any further unnecessary abuse in the sixth round.

With this very convincing win now under his belt, Shakur has officially put the Lightweight Division on notice. He personally called out the Undefeated Undisputed Lightweight Champion Devin Haney, since this win was a WBC title eliminator placing him in route to an inevitable showdown with the Champ.

Shakur is looking for that smoke and will not be denied.

Until then, congratulations Shakur on a very impressive win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Robeisy Ramirez vs Isaac Dogboe”

Vacant WBO Featherweight Title

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 Kos) and Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 Kos) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa was a one-sided showcase by the Two-Time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy. Real Talk!

Dogboe came in fit, ready as usual and gamed to throwdown but was met with a superior opponent with exceptional skills who managed to negate every attempt thrown at him. Ramirez was visibly the better skilled athlete inside that squared circle who always seemed one step ahead at all times.

Even when Dogboe would have a slim moment of success Ramirez would simply outwork him and secure the rounds. Dogboe did his best and tried to assert himself at every opportunity but Ramirez’s slick footwork and accurate punches kept Dogboe looking desperate and confused as the rounds progressed.

In the championship rounds Dogboe continued to press the action but to no avail and managed to get dropped in the 12th round for a quick 8 count clearly handing the round to Ramirez.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 119-110, 118-109 and 117-110 unanimously for Robeisy Ramirez.

Robeisy, who walked inside that squared circle with the aura of a Champion, successfully completed the task at hand to become the New WBO Featherweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Robeisy on an exceptional performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 Kos) and Jermaine Franklin (21-2, 14 Kos) was a much-needed reception that AJ required to have in his own backyard at the 02 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK to uplift his spirit. Real Talk!

Everyone in attendance and me included expected to see AJ dispatch of his opponent in a very quick and destructive fashion but instead we got to see Anthony display a little of what he’s been working with alongside his new trainer Derrick James.

The detractors are going to be going for AJ’s head for not taking Jermaine out before the last bell but let’s keep it real AJ is on his third head trainer change and needed to execute the “game plan” at hand and build from there.

I personally would have appreciated seeing AJ being a little more aggressive in this bout but Franklin was not some chump who was inside that squared circle to lay down without a fight. Franklin did his best and stood up going toe to toe with the hulking AJ for 12 full rounds.

Franklin showed AJ no respect inside that squared circle but lacked the power to deter Anthony from having his way with his own stiff and heavy jab alongside some serious power combination shots as the rounds progressed. Had AJ sat on his punches with a little more aggression I believe he could have collected his 23rd knockout. Real talk!

At the completion of this bout, the Judges at hand scored it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 unanimously for Anthony Joshua. Although we didn’t get to see a destructive performance by Anthony, he did what was necessary to secure a much-needed win under his belt.

My personal opinion after watching this bout is that with Derrick James having more time with Joshua, I expect to see a much more improved and imposing Anthony in his next bout.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

A very intriguing matchup has officially been announced. Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (29-0, 15 Kos) will once again be defending his hard-earned hardware against the highly rated Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-2, 11 Kos) on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

This is a bout that Devin has been calling for since way back to 2019 but to no avail; however, now that he is the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World, the call for the matchup has miraculously been answered.

Lomachenko’s personal goal is to become the Undisputed lightweight Champion of the World but in order to achieve this, he will need to defeat the young King presently reigning at the top of the 135-Pound Division and pry away all the jewels from Devin.

This will be a formidable task for Lomachenko. Devin has improved dramatically over the years and has grown in strength and leveled up skill wise. Devin’s confidence is at an all-time high right now and being an Undefeated Undisputed Champion brings out an aura of invincibility that he plans on keeping and he will not be denied a victory on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Both combatants are highly skilled and both have strength and drawbacks that can be exploited by one another with the right “game plan”. I expect a high-level chess match come fight night when both warriors grace the inside of the squared circle and battle it out for the Undisputed Crown of the Lightweight Division.

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant”

WBC Interim Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Showtime/PBC Pay-Per-View Main Event between WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 Kos) and Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 Kos) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas was definitely a bout that lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

This bout was a strategic affair that unfolded with both combatants working in their respective “game plan” right from the jump. The boxer Caleb vs the puncher in David.

Both combatants stepped their game up on the night. Caleb, who insisted on a bigger ring, utilized every inch of it by boxing beautifully in the first half of the bout. His movement and speed made it more difficult for David to pin him down and assert himself offensively but throughout the early rounds of this bout you could see the pressure Benavidez was applying would eventually hit the mark.

Benavidez is a patient warrior who clearly believes in his ability to cut off the ring on any tough opponent who thinks they can continuously avoid the inevitable onslaught that he brings inside that squared circle.

David is a hunter inside that squared circle and his opponent his prey. By the 8th round his prey was visibly tiring and losing steam as the round progressed. That being said, Benavidez’s heavy punches were finding their mark at a higher clip and noticeably affecting Plant who tried his best to withstand the onslaught.

With Plant progressively weakening in the later rounds and continuously looking hurt after every hard shot, Caleb surprisingly refused to succumb to the assault and continued to fight back all the way to the final bell of the 12th round.

That being said, I tip my “B” to Caleb’s resiliency inside that squared circle. Although David had clearly taken over the second half of the bout in a dominant fashion, Caleb willed himself in a tough battle and finished on his feet when the beatdown was visibly at his doorstep. Dude is a lot tougher than he looks, hands down!

After 12 full exciting rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 unanimously for David Benavidez.

Although “The Mexican Monster” did not close the show in his traditional knockout fashion, he dominated a tougher than expected top Super Middleweight combatant and still retained his WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title, keeping that door open to a possible showdown in the near future with the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 Kos).

Until then, congratulations David on another great and dominant performance.

Blaze