On The Watch “It’s All About Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Tim Tszyu”

IBF Junior Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s PBC/Amazon Prime Video Main Event between IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 Kos) and challenger, former WBO Champion Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 Kos) brought the house to its feet with a surprising outcome that unraveled at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The 154-Pound Division received another shake up last night by the way Murtazaliev completely outclassed and demolished the favorite and highly ranked Tszyu within 3 rounds. Quite a few people in the boxing community considered Murtazaliev the weakest link within the Champions but on this night, he put the 154-Pound Division on notice by stopping Tszyu dead on his feet.

To simply put it, Murtazaliev was too strong and accurate to content with. Murtazaliev put them paws on Tszyu early and dropped him with a deadly combination in the second round that to me Tszyu never really recovered from after the standing 8 count. Tszyu proceeded to stand his ground but eventually got clipped again for the second time and got back up to another standing 8 count. He looked shaky on them legs and eventually was dropped again for the third time nearing the end of the second round.

Entering the third round Tszyu looked lost, confused but still game to go toe-to-toe which led to a further inevitable devastating knockdown by a counter left hook that sat him down for the fourth time on the night to another standing 8 count that saw Tszyu rise up to his feet only to get pummelled by an onslaught of unanswered punches prompting Tszyu’s corner to throw in the towel to formally stop the fight.

This was a statement bout that literally shook the 154-Pound Division. The battle for the No. 1 Spot in the Division is looking more and more intriguing where Bakhram Murtazaliev who retained his IBF Junior Middleweight Title has officially entered his name into the conversation. Real Talk!

Congratulations Champ on a very convincing win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Serhii Bohachuk vs Virgil Ortiz Jr.”

WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 Kos) and challenger Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 Kos) was better than advertised when them two warriors finally laced up and met toe-to-toe inside that squared circle at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

This was a tough bout from start to finish but most entertaining to watch considering the favorite Ortiz Jr. really had to grind hard in this bout making it his most challenging test of his young professional career to date.

The defending WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Bohachuk brought his A game on the night and fought tooth and nail never backing down going blow for blow standing his ground round after round making sure his presence was felt.

Although Ortiz Jr. looked like he was the one carrying the most power it was actually Bohachuk who was able to drop Ortiz Jr. with a left hook in the second round prompting Ortiz Jr. to his feet protesting the call then fueling him to get his get back in the remaining round.

As the rounds progressed you could see Ortiz Jr. going off script constantly chasing that knockdown pressuring Bohachuk trying to break him down with his heavy blows. The disciplined and well-schooled Bohachuk remained poised letting his hands go giving back just as much as he was taking.

Bohachuk’s persistence with his own assault charge in the eight-round managed to knock Ortiz Jr. down with a swift right hand for the second time creating a hysterical moment that had the crowd in attendance in a frenzy by what was transpiring inside that squared circle.

Both combatants had their moments and the action was nonstop from start to finish making it that much harder to call but after 12 full rounds of entertaining action the Judges at hand called it 113-113, 114-112 and 114-112 edging the majority decision in Vergil Ortiz Jr. favor.

The outcome of this bout is very debatable in my opinion but nevertheless what we have here today is a new WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion in Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov”

WBA Junior Middleweight Champion

Last night’s Riyadh Season’s Main Event between former Undisputed Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 Kos) and WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

It was a chess match from the jump where both combatants executed their respective “game plan’ to a ‘T” pushing one another to put their boxing IQ to the test. Although Crawford was the one moving up in weight, he definitely held his own with the bigger fighter Madrimov who constantly pressed the action.

Madrimov was resilient and very patient inside that squared circle but was met with a very strong and determined combatant in Crawford who surprisingly stood his ground and fought him toe-to-toe showing absolutely no fear.

Neither combatant had sole control of the bout but both did have their moments making it really hard to determine a clear winner after every rounds. Madrimov’s punch accuracy was on point while Crawford made sure to answer every call given his way with his own power punches clearly marking Madrimov’s face.

Both combatants made it tough on one another while dishing out hard leather from head to body. If you were one the peeps thinking this bout was going to be a cake walk for Crawford then you were all for a major shock cause that Boy Madrimov took in the challenge with open arms and kept things very interesting round by round.

That being said, Crawford showed us all why he is one of the Pound-for-Pound greats in the game today and possibly closed out the championship rounds in convincing fashion. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 all in favor of Terence “Bud” Crawford.

I tip my ‘B” hat to Israil Madrimov for standing his ground and testing his skills with one of the greats in the game today. You showed up and gave us fans a hell of a fight where you proved all who doubted you that you belong with the top dogs of 154-Pound Division, hands down!

That said, congratulations to Terence for conquering his fourth Division and becoming the new WBA Junior Middleweight Champion and WBO Interim Junior Middleweight Champion as well.

You walk the talk and back it up every time out, good luck to the competition trying to derail this Champion because this version of “Bud” is looking for all the smoke!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov”

WBA Junior Middleweight Challenge

His Excellency Turki Alashikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, will be bringing his Riyadh Season to its first overseas event in the United States on Saturday August 3, 2024, at the BMO Stadium, Los Angeles.

The Main Event of the night will consist of Pound-for-Pound former Undisputed Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 Kos) who will be moving up in weight to the Junior Middleweight Division in pursuit of another title in a fourth Division by challenging newly crowned WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Israil Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 Kos).

That being said, Madrimov is a serious step up and a worthy challenger who will not be easily taken down. The hunger for greatness that Madrimov has been displaying as of late goes hand in hand with his physical strength and boxing IQ that this warrior will be walking in with come fight night. Madrimov is a well-schooled technically sound combatant who will definitely bring the “Heat” inside that squared circle.

Although Terence will have been out of the ring for a full year by the time these two combatants square up, the task at hand still remains the same, to conquer another Division by any means necessary and become Undisputed Champion in a third weight Division.

Crawford has been the underdog before and has proven the naysayers wrong as well. That’s why on August 3, 2024, he will show the world once again, why he’s one of the greatest Pound-for-Pound fighters to ever lace on a pair of gloves in this era.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora”

WBO/WBC Junior Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s PBC/Prime Video Main Event at the T-Mobile Arena between WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 Kos) and late replacement challenger 6 foot 5 ½ “The Towering Inferno” Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 Kos) brought one of the bloodiest showdowns inside that squared circle.

It was an intriguing bout that didn’t take much time to unfold into a bloodbath of a war after Fundora broke his nose early in the bout and then an accidental elbow cut Tszyu to the left side of his forehead in the second round and completely changed the flow of the bout.

With both combatants bleeding nonstop one from his nose the other from his head, things got really interesting on just how determined both warriors reacted to the unforeseen challenges unfolding inside that squared circle.

There was no quitting in both combatants at any time but the nonstop blood flow was visibly an issue that hindered both combatants. Tszyu who started out very well at the beginning of the bout seemed to be bothered the most with the blood going into his eyes and hindering his vision from properly executing the “game plan” at hand.

That said, I was most impressed with Fundora who looked focused and on point utilizing his height and reach the way a 6 foot 5 ½ fighter shood. Fundora boxed well and used his length and jab well making it even harder on Tszyu who tried to bully him on the inside.

Fundora surprisingly stayed disciplined throughout the bout weathering the storm of the bloodbath round by round. It was a tougher assignment then expected for both combatants but one that both accepted with open arms delivering a very entertaining show.

After 12 competitive rounds of actions the Judges at hand scored it 116-112 for Tszyu and 113-115, 112-116 for Fundora giving him the split decision making him the New Unified WBO/WBC Junior Middleweight Champion of the World.

This win here has just entered Sebastian and his sister Gabriela into the history books as the first brother and sister duo to hold Championship Titles concurrently.

You’ve bounced back from a devastating loss to now being at the head of 154-Pound Division. Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo”

Undisputed vs Undisputed

Last night’s PBC/Showtime PPV Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 Kos) and Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Middleweight Champion Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 Kos), who had moved up two Divisions to the 168-Pound Division to challenge the reigning “Kingpin” on the biggest stage of his career to date, did not perform as expected at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Real Talk!

Although Jermell showed up on fight night fit and ready to conquer a new Division, he quickly found out what weight Division he truly belongs in when all was said and done.

At the first bell Canelo wasted no time introducing Jermell to the Super Middleweight Division. Canelo showed dominance early and never let Charlo breathe long enough to gain any confidence inside that squared circle.

Canelo looked like his old self again, stalking and pressuring his opponent and walking him down with heavy shots coming from all angles making Charlo real uncomfortable inside that squared circle. I was surprised by Charlo’s lack of action. He talked all that bravado about what he was going to do to Canelo inside that squared circle but what really transpired on the night is how the “Lion” got subdued into submission by the superior warrior.

No disrespect to Charlo who stood his ground and took a knee in the 7th round to regroup and continued all the way to the finish line but truth be told this was a very uncharacteristic version of Charlo we saw inside that squared circle. Charlo has always been the aggressor but last night he was retreating in fear and uncertainty proving the naysayers right: that he did not belong in that ring opposite of Canelo.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and last night Canelo proved once again why he is the ‘Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division by the way he dominated Charlo with absolutely no resistance coming his way.

After 12 full rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand called it 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

With this convincing win, Canelo became the first man in this boxing era to record a third defense of his Undisputed Championship.

Well done Champ – now on to the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo”

Undisputed vs Undisputed

It has now officially been announced. The “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 Kos) will be defending his Crown in the Main Event of a Showtime PPV on Saturday night September 30, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, against Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Middleweight Champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 Kos), who will be moving up two Divisions to the 168-Pound Division and attempt at making history once again at becoming a two-weight Division Undisputed Champion.

This is an intriguing matchup bringing out all the talks. Two Undisputed Champions going head-to-head in the first matchup of the four-belt era is a game changer that will surely bring out the fans to witness this historical moment.

Two of the best in their respective divisions will be putting it all on the line and attesting to be the best of the best in the Pound-for-Pound discussion.

Some naysayers are already complaining about Jermell moving up from the 154-Pound Division to the 168-Pound Division, could be a hard task, but truth be told Jermell is naturally a “Big Boy” campaigning in the Junior Middleweight Division. Real Talk! Dude will look right at home come fight night on every level. Size will not be a deciding factor for Jermell.

That being said, what will be a factor is the experience, the boxing IQ and the skill level that will be displayed inside that squared circle on fight night. Who will prevail as the superior combatant when all is said and done and the one true Champion remains standing on the biggest stage?

Tune in Saturday night on Showtime PPV September 30, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and witness the outcome of this historical moment in Boxing History.

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Danny Garcia vs Jose Benavidez Jr.”

Super Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Showtime/PBC Main Event between Danny Garcia (37-3, 21 Kos) and Jose Benavidez Jr. (27-2-1, 18 Kos) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn was a perfect performance to introduce Danny to the Super Welterweight Division. Real Talk!

Danny looked completely different from the man who last fought and lost to Errol Spence Jr. back in December 2020. This version of Danny last night was alert, strong, very active and focussed throughout the entire bout. Danny handled Jose with ease at this new weight division and fought a perfect bout at a clinical level that let you know that he’s still got plenty left in the tank to go.

Danny looked on point the entire night, rejuvenated with motivation to prove the naysayers wrong about moving up in weight. Jose tried to put up a fight but had no answers to Danny who was boxing circles around him round by round. To be honest Jose’s “game plan” or lack of was way off. Jose fought with no urgency the entire bout and got outworked by Danny who was very active with his punch selection all night.

After 12 full rounds of action, the Judges’ scores were 114-114, 116-112 and 117-111 in favor of Danny Garcia who secured his first win in the Super Welterweight Division.

Now the Judge who saw this bout as a draw he needs to rewatch the bout over again because truth be told this fight was a clinical performance by Danny from round 1 to round 12 hands down.

I don’t personally think Danny will run through the top “dogs” in the 154-Pound Division with ease like this but he can definitely make his presence felt.

Until your next outing, congratulations on your win Danny.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano II”

Junior Middleweight Unification Championship Showdown

Last night’s PBC/Showtime Main Event Junior Middleweight Unification Championship Rematch bout between Unified WBC/WBA Super/IBF and Ring Magazine Champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 Kos) and WBO Champion Brian Castano (17-1-2, 12 Kos) at the Dignity Sports Park, Carson, California was definitely a bout to remember as we finally witnessed the crowning of the first Undisputed Junior Middleweight Champion since the four-belt era.

This time around both combatants came out the gate with a different approach. Castano’s punch output was visibly less while Charlo stepped up his boxing and moving being more aggressive from the jump.

Charlo’s jab was very effective and definitely gave Castano a harder time at getting on the inside but that being said, both combatants had their moments making this bout quite exciting as the rounds progressed with both warriors dropping some heavy bombs on one another up close and personal.

With the rounds heating up, it was Charlo who walked it like he talked it and made sure to keep the Judges out of the equation this time around when he viciously dropped Castano heavily in the tenth round twice as Castano resisted to get to his feet a second time visibly still hurt from the knockdowns which then prompted the referee to stop the electrifying bout.

It was an action-packed event that saw Jermell defend his WBC/WBA Super/IBF and Ring Magazine Championships and seize the WBO Belt from Brian to now becoming the first Undisputed Junior Middleweight Champion of the World since the four-belt era.

With this convincing win and major achievement in your career to date, you are now part of one of the most prestigious clubs in Boxing and join the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Oleksandr Usyk, Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Josh Taylor and Terence Crawford to become Undisputed Champions in the four-belt era.

Congratulations Jermell, you cleaned out the 154-Pound Division and now reign supreme. You earned that one the hard way. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Erickson Lubin vs Sebastian Fundora”

WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title

Last night’s Showtime Main Event between Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (24-2, 17 Kos) and Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora (19-0-1, 13 Kos) was nonstop action from start to finish at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Them two combatants came to fight last night and definitely put on an exciting performance worthy of fight of the year in my eyes. The 6’5 ½ “Towering Inferno” gave “The Hammer” an early introduction to the canvas in round two when he connected with a vicious well-placed uppercut that dropped him for a quick 8 count setting the pace for the remainder of the bout.

As tall and rangy as Sebastian was inside that squared circle the majority of the bout was fought more or less in the “phone booth” style with Lubin landing some serious power shots but receiving double the output from Sebastian. That Kid Fundora stays busy with his hands round after round landing uppercut after uppercut straight from the inside.

That said, Lubin stayed competitive trying to figure out how to keep Fundora from walking him down. Lubin had himself some good work at times banging some good shots at the “Towering Inferno”, outworking him in spurts and eventually forcing Fundora to take a knee in a round that Sebastian was actually winning until he got blitzed with a series of punches catching him off guard in the seventh round

After shaking off the knockdown Sebastian continued hammering “The Hammer” straight to the face which was slowly transforming him to an unrecognizable man as the rounds progressed. Lubin showed heart inside that squared circle but was visibly absorbing too many damaging blows, increasing the swelling around his eyes and face.

At the conclusion of the ninth round Erickson’s head trainer had seen enough and pulled his fighter out when he instructed the referee to stop this electrifying compelling bout.

With this stoppage win Sebastian now picks up the WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title placing him as the mandatory challenger for the Unification bout between WBC/WBA Super/IBF and Ring Magazine Champion Jermell Charlo (34-1-1, 18 Kos) and WBO Champion Brian Castano (17-0-2, 12 Kos) rematch on Saturday May 14, 2022 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California to crown the first Super Welterweight Undisputed Champion of the World.

With this competitive bout now on his resume, Sebastian will be well prepared for what is to come when facing the future Undisputed Super Welterweight Champion on his next outing.

Until then congratulations Sebastian on your astounding win.

Blaze