On the Watch “It’s All About Mikaela Mayer vs Sandy Ryan II”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Rematch Main Event between WBO Welterweight Champion Mikaela Mayer (21-2, 5 Kos) and challenger Sandy Ryan (7-3-1, 3 Kos) was definitely entertaining with a more determined outcome than their previous clash at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Them two warriors definitely picked up the action from where they left off from their last encounter but this time around Mayer’s “game plan” was just as good as the first time out. Mayer pressed the action right from the bell with both combatants trying to establish their effective jabs but Mayer’s activity was once again key by the number of punches she was putting together compared to Ryan.

As hard as Ryan was fighting back, Mayer’s bullyish way and aggression was definitely throwing Sandy off her “game plan” as she was not always able to match the energy coming her way. Ryan is usually known to put the pressure on her opposition but last night, she looked defeated at times and unable to deter Mayer from having success against her.

Ryan managed to put some good work together in the later rounds of the bout but to me it looked like she may have missed her opportunity by not being able to adjust her “game plan” in the first haft of the bout.

After 10 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93, unanimously for Mikaela Mayer.

Absolutely no controversy this time around. Mayer showed skill for skill that she was the better combatant on the night hands down.

With this convincing win, Mikaela Mayer retained her WBO Welterweight Title and is now looking to challenge the Queen of the Welterweight Division Unified IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine Champion Lauren Price (9-0, 2 Kos).

Now that is a very interesting matchup, but until then, congratulations Mikaela on another great win.

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On the Watch “It’s All About Natasha Jonas vs Lauren Price”

Welterweight Unification Showdown

Last night’s Boxxer/Sky Sports Main Event between IBF/WBC Welterweight Champion Natasha Jonas (16-3-1, 9 kos) and IBO/WBA/Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion Lauren Price (9-0, 2 Kos) was not a passing of the torch but rather a coronation of a new Queen in the Welterweight Division at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.

Lauren came out the gate with the utmost confidence looking to prove her dominance over her fellow Champion Natasha. Lauren’s “game plan” was simple but effective and very well executed.

Natasha, the 40-year-old veteran Champion had met her match on the night. As seasoned and competitive as Natasha was, she found out quickly that she could not compete with the younger combatant inside that squared circle.

Lauren was a serious force to contend with, where Natasha simply could not deter the stronger and extremely accurate warrior from having her way with her.

Natasha got outworked and outhustled from every corner and had absolutely no proper “game plan” to keep up with Lauren. It was a dominant performance by Price from start to finish where she showed levels way above what Natasha was accustomed to.

Simply put, Lauren made it look easy. After 10 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand scored it 100-90, 98-93 and 98-92 unanimously for Lauren Price.

With this impressive statement win now under her belt, Lauren retains her
IBO/WBA/Ring Magazine Welterweight Titles, snatched the IBF/WBC Welterweight Titles from Natasha and unified the Welterweight Division.

Well done, Lauren. Undisputed should be next on the horizon but until then good luck to the competition.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Sandy Ryan vs Mikaela Mayer”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Welterweight Champion Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 Kos) and challenger Mikaela Mayer (20-2, 5 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The animosity towards one another was quite evident towards the build up to this bout and when the first bell went off both worriers went straight to work with no hesitation. Sandy came out the gate with a strong jab but was met with some very busy hands by Mikaela who was countering every shot with speed.

Sandy definitely brought the pressure but the activity and the punch output coming back from Mikaela made things quite interesting as the rounds progressed. The power punches coming in by Sandy were quite evident whenever she landed but Mikaela showed grit and toughness standing her ground at every corner.

Both combatants had their moments as the round progressed but it was Mikaela who might have benefited from the first half of the fight by being exceptionally more active with her hands while Sandy needed to raise the “HEAT” in the second half of the bout to keep things close.

Both girls brought it in the later rounds going toe-to-toe and dishing out some serious leather from both sides but Mikaela’s experience at this stage in her career may have been key to this bout.

After 10 rounds of nonstop action the Judges at hand called it 95-95, 96-94 and 97-93, giving the majority decision to Mikaela Mayer.

I personally thought this was a very competitive bout that could have easily gone either way but on this night, a new Champion was crowned giving Mikaela a world title in her second Weight Division and the New WBO Welterweight Champion.

Well done, Mikaela.

Blaze

On the Watch ” It’s All About Jaron Ennis vs David Avanesyan”

IBF Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 29 Kos) and David Avanesyan (30-5-1, 18 Kos) (the one who replaced mandatory challenger Cody Crowley) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, was more or less a showcase type of an event that saw his hometown fans in attendance looking quite satisfied by the performance of their Champion.

Jaron pressed the action from the first bell and never looked back while David embraced the pressure and dished out some of his own to show Jaron he wasn’t here to lay down as everyone expected.

David tried heavily to stand his ground in a bravado way but Jaron was simply too big, too strong and too skillful to be contained by him. No disrespect to David but Jaron pretty much toyed with him inside that squared circle. As tough and durable as David usually is, on this night he was severely outgunned and outmatched with simply no answer to the problems that Jaron was throwing his way.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and on this night, David found out the hard way that he did not belong inside that squared circle with Jaron. When “Boots” decided to stop playing with his food in the fifth round he caught David with a hard overhand left and dropped him for a standing 8 count that saw him rise up to further punishment that lasted the entire remaining round.

Having assessed the situation after the fifth round, David’s corner and the ringside Doctor both agreed that any further assault at the hands of “Boots” would be futile and it was best to call an end to the bout.

With this very convincing stoppage win Jaron defended his IBF Welterweight Title and picked up another TKO to be added to his ever-growing knockout percentage to date.

Jaron is the total package. Skillful, powerful and blessed with levels above his opposition on the ring IQ inside that squared circle. Good luck to the competition trying to derail this Dude on their way up.

Who’s next?

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On The Watch “It’s All About Adrien Broner vs Blair Cobbs”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Don King promoted Main Event between former Four-Time Division World Champion Adrien Broner (35-5-1, 24 Kos) and Blair Cobbs (17-1-1, 10 Kos) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, was another clear illustration of how bad things have gotten for AB inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

The once upon a time “Can Man” failed again to pull the trigger when he was hesitant to let his gloves go against Cobbs who had his “game plan” on point letting his own gloves do the talking all night. Blair was very active throwing punches in bunches from all angles and even clipping AB early with a swift left hand that knocked him down for a standing 8 count in the second round.

Although AB recovered quickly from the knockdown, he showed no life or urgency into getting his get back or any attempt of a man on mission inside that squared circle.

Cobbs wasn’t able to stop AB but he did keep his foot on the gas by being active with his gloves round by round. While AB looked like a shell of himself inside that squared circle his power was still quite alive whenever he managed to connect anything significant enough and having some effect on Cobbs just not enough to deter him.

As usual, Broner talked a good game to the lead up of the bout but neglected to follow through with the tough talk inside that squared circle. What Broner was known for in the past seemed to have disappeared, his cat like speed and reflexes were a no show and he paid the price by being tagged all night by Blair who looked focused, sharp and hungry at getting the job done by any means necessary.

After 10 completed rounds the Judges at hand scored it 97-91, 96-93, 96-93 unanimously for Blair Cobbs.

This was a solid win for Cobbs but if he has any plans on challenging the upper echelon of the Welterweight Division he needs to get back in the lab and continue to perfect his craft cause them Dudes up there don’t play with their food.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Jessica McCaskill vs Lauren Price”

IBO/WBA Welterweight Challenge

A new Champion was crowned tonight when previously Undisputed Welterweight Champion Jessica McCaskill (12-4-1, 5 Kos) put up what was left of her titles, the IBO/WBA/Ring Magazine belts on the line to challenge undefeated Lauren Price (7-0, 1 Ko) at the Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, Wales.

Lauren put her best foot forward on the night and never looked back when she entered that squared circle and executed a flawless game plan. Lauren was aggressive, patient, stronger and faster than the champion who looked like an armateur on the night.

Truth be told, Jessica hasn’t looked like herself or the champion who dethroned the previous Undisputed Champion Cecillia Btacekhus. This version of Jessica had absolutely nothing going for herself or the right “game plan” to stand a chance against Lauren.

Jessica looked lost and lacked the activity to keep up with the younger combatant who possessed the quicker footwork, the quicker hand speed and the right punch selection to deter the Champion from ever getting any type of momentum. Real Talk!

Skill for skill, Jessica was simply outgunned and outmatched on the night. To make things worse both combatants had a clash of heads giving the Champion Jessica the worst of it handing her a severe swollen eye visibly affecting her eye sight and her productivity while she desperately attempted to go toe-to-toe with the gritty challenger.

As the rounds proceeded, the referee kept a close watch on Jessica’s eye which was looking worse round by round. Jessica eye was shutting out and she was taking some serious punishment.

By the start of the ninth round, the referee called up the Doctor on hand to have a look at the swelling of Jessica’s eye and instructed the referee that the bout could no longer continue.

Due to Jessica’s sickening swollen eye being completely shut by an earlier clash of heads, the Judges ruling went to the cards 90-82, 90-82,90-82 scoring it unanimously for Lauren Price.

With this dominant performance now under her belt Lauren is now the New IBO/WBA and Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Lauren, you did your home fans and country proud. With only seven bouts under your belt your future is looking brighter by the day. Congratulations.

Blaze

On the Watch ” It’s All About Jaron Ennis vs Cody Crowley”

IBF World Welterweight Challenge

The time has finally arrived. Newly crowned IBF World Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31-0, 28 Kos) will defend his title against mandatory challenger and our own Canadian born representative undefeated Cody Crowley (22-0, 9 Kos) at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 13, 2024, making this event the first boxing bout in the building. Real Talk!

This is a dream come true for Cody who will be getting his first title opportunity and one that he undeniably couldn’t refuse at this point in his career but as solid as Cody is as a fighter, the task ahead will be very challenging. Cody is a well-schooled and skilled combatant who will absolutely bring his “A” game on the night but standing in his way is a bonafide phenom in “Boots” who possesses all the gifts and attributes needed to dominate the Welterweight Division for a very long time.

With “home court” advantage on the night and equipped with a 90.32% KO ratio, it’s clear that “Boots” doesn’t play with his food inside that squared circle and on fight night, he will be looking to gift the fans in attendance an exceptional performance for all who came to support him on the night.

That being said, Cody knows he will have to fight tooth and nail when entering enemy territory to pry that Championship Title from the young phenom. Considering what Cody had to endure personally and mentally throughout the last few years to get here, his time is now and he will not shy away come fight night.

Tune in live on DAZN Saturday night, July 13, 2024, from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer”

IBF Welterweight Challenge

Tonight’s Boxxer/Sky Sports/ESPN + Main Event between IBF Welterweight Champion Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 Kos) and challenger Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

Both combatants brought the “HEAT” straight from the first bell and never letting their feet of the gas pedal. Heavy bombs coming at each other from both sides round by round with neither combatant giving an inch of breathing room.

Natasha, the Champion and the natural welterweight, found herself in a serious shootout with Mikaela who moved up to the Welterweight Division ready and willing to dethrone the Champion with a steady pace of aggressive offence proving to be effective as the rounds progressed.

Both combatants stood their ground hammering some serious shots from body to head making this bout that much more exciting for the fans and for the judges to call.

Although both combatants were going toe to toe inside that squared circle, I personally feel that Mikaela was the one edging out the better imposing work rate and administering the most visible damage.

That being said, after 10 exciting action-packed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 96-95, 96-94 for Jonas and 97-93 for Mayer, giving Natasha Jonas the spilt decision.

It was a very close fight to call where I could definitely see Mikaela walking away with the win but nevertheless Natasha retained her IBF Welterweight Belt and recorded a great victory over an elite warrior.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Alexis Rocha vs Giovani Santillan”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main event Between Alexis Rocha (23-2, 15 Kos) and Giovani Santillan (32-0, 17 Kos) exceeded expectation in their Welterweight Showdown at the KIA Forum in Inglewood, California.

Alexis strutted his way down the walkway taking his sweet time but beaming with confidence and definitely pissing off his opponent who was already inside the ring irritated by how long Alexis was taking to get the bout started.

I could see the anger in Giovani’s eyes and pure destruction was written all over his face. I’m not sure if Alexis underestimated his opponent but judging from the first round it was clear that Alexis was not properly prepared for the heat that Giovani was coming at him with.

Giovani pressed the action from the jump and never let his foot of the gas. Giovani was putting his punches together with authority and precision. The power that Giovani was displaying round by round was overwhelming and clearly took Alexis by surprise.

Alexis looked out of place and not in the right mind to compete with Giovani on that night inside that squared circle. Alexis was being broken down round by round and in the fifth round succumbed to two vicious knockdowns that saw him beat the count but clearly wasn’t completely recovered from the bruising round.

The inevitable was around the corner and by the 6th round an onslaught of uncontested heavy punches connected and dropped a demoralized and depleted Rocha to the canvas for the third time prompting the referee to wave the bout at this point.

Although Alexis attempted to stand his ground throughout the bout, Giovani was clearly the better prepared warrior of the night and he did not disappoint by seizing the moment on his biggest night.

With this emphatic win now under his belt, Giovani has shot up the Welterweight Division and put the rest of his peers on notice, he is coming and taking all challenges ahead.

Well done, Giovani, now onto the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford”

Undisputed Welterweight Champion

Last night’s Premier Boxing Champions/Showtime PPV Main Event between Pound-for-Pound WBA/WBC/IBF Welterweight Unified Champion Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 Kos) and Pound-for-Pound WBO World Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 Kos), far exceeded my expectations when those two combatants finally graced the inside of that squared circle at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

This highly anticipated bout took some years to get here but the two undefeated Champions stayed the course and eventually made it happen and the wait was well worth it. There was a lot of tough talk going back and forth from both combatants about who was going to do what to each other inside that squared circle but when all was said and done it was the fisherman “Bud” who had caught himself a “Big Fish” at the end of the night. Real Talk!

All the talk about “Bud” ain’t fight nobody in the Welterweight Division was undeniably put to rest when Crawford entered that squared circle and bullied the naturally bigger combatant in Spence straight from the gate.

I’m not sure if Errol underestimated his opponent on the night but he found out quickly after being dropped in the second round for a quick 8 count that this warrior standing across from him was coming for that kill.

Having been knocked down for the first time in his career motivated Spence to raise the heat inside that squared circle but the cool and calm Crawford had already figured out his opponent by that time and proceeded to execute the flawless “game plan” round by round.

Crawford, the visible smaller man inside that squared circle began imposing himself by walking down Spence with some vicious powerful punches that were visibly shaking him from head to toe. There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and last night Crawford proved to be the stronger and more skillful of the two combatants inside that squared circle.

The usually strong and durable Spence surprisingly had absolutely nothing to deter Terence from having his way with him inside that squared circle. For the first time in his career Errol got manhandled from start to finish and never quite recovered and eventually got dropped twice in the seventh round.

The inevitable was moments away and by the ninth round after being badgered with a series of unanswered punches, the referee jumped in and stopped the bout saving Errol from absorbing any further punishment.

With this dominating performance by Terence who captured the WBA/WBC/IBF Welterweight Titles from Errol and retained his WBO World Title, Crawford now becomes the New Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion of the World crowning him as the second Boxer male/female of all time to secure back-to-back Undisputed Supremacy in two different Weight Divisions during the four-belt era. (The other boxer to accomplish this achievement is Claressa Shields)

The debate is officially over, the King of the Welterweight Division is Terence “Bud” Crawford.

Congratulations, Champ – well done!

Blaze