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 Jaime Munguia vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between Jaime Munguia (42-0, 33 Kos) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (14-5, 10 Kos) was an exciting showdown that undeniably brought the fans in attendance to their feet at the Toyota Arena, Ontario, California. Real talk!

Both combatants moved up from the Middleweight Division to the Super Middleweight Division to have this incredible clash and boy did they bring that heat inside that squared circle.

It was clear from the way this bout started out that Munguia did not expect this type of resistance from his older opponent but what he soon found out was that this “Technician” was not someone to be taken lightly inside that squared circle.

Derevyanchenko brought his “A” game on the night and showed the young buck how serious things can get when you move up in competition. Both combatants threw some serious leather at each other round by round but it was Sergiy’s consistent aggressive pressure that troubled Munguia as the rounds progressed.

Munguia had a good jab whenever he let it go but his lack of defense on the night was quite evident and disturbing considering the heavy shots he kept on absorbing. I mean the dude is tough but when you’re met with a resilient warrior like Derevyanchenko, you have to quickly reassess the “game plan” at hand.

Both combatants were hurt multiple times and showed fatigue throughout the bout but as the championship rounds approached, Munguia seemed to have the edge in the power department. By the 12th and final round Jaime may have sealed the deal with a devastating body shot that sent Derevyanchenko down for a quick 8 count which then had Sergiy backpedaling in survivor mode for the remainder of the round.

After 12 hard fought completed rounds, the Judges at hand scored it 115-112, 114-113 and 114-113 unanimously for Jaime Munguia. It was a tough battle that I think personally, could have gone either way.

That being said, Munguia definitely fought the toughest opponent of his career to date. With this hard-earned win Munguia picked up the vacant WBC Silver Super Middleweight Title positioning himself one step closer to a possible clash with the “Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division Undisputed Champion Canelo Alvarez.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 Kos) and mandatory challenger WBO Super Middleweight Interim Champion John “The Gorilla” Ryder (32-6, 18 Kos), was quite the homecoming the fans in Mexico craved for at the packed house of the Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.

Last night’s Super Middleweight showdown was a festivity on the biggest stage where the star of the night, Canelo, performed beautifully in front of his adoring fans who were cheering him on from start to finish.

Although many had counted Ryder out before the bell even rang, John proved the naysayers wrong by bringing the fight to Canelo and fighting him toe to toe, round by round making this bout quite interesting.

Ryder definitely looked the part and fought like a determined courageous warrior inside that squared circle but there are levels to this Boxing sh*t and Canelo is at its pinnacle. Canelo proved to be the superior combatant as the rounds progressed and was the one administering the more damaging blows. He broke Ryder’s nose in the earlier rounds and dropped him for a quick 8 count in the fifth round and continuously abused Ryder heavily as the rounds progressed.

That being said I gotta tip my “B” to Ryder for withstanding this heavy onslaught round by round and still standing his ground dishing out whatever he could to earn Canelo’s respect inside that squared circle. As battered as the “Gorilla” was he still fought hard enough in the championship rounds making it harder on Canelo to earn this victory without being stopped by his hands.

After 12 fully completed rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 120-107, 118-109 and 118-109 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

This was a historical moment for Canelo and the fans in attendance. Although Canelo did not close the show with a knockout, this showcase of an event will forever be embedded in the memories of all his Mexican supporters.

That being said, the critics will still talk their sh*t and judge Canelo’s performance as usual for not stopping Ryder but as you can see, it’s easier said than done when you step foot inside that squared circle opposite of the “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion of the World Canelo Alvarez.

Well done, Champ!

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

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Gennadiy Golovkin III”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event trilogy bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 Kos) and Middleweight WBA/WBC Champion Gennadiy Golovkin (42-2-1, 37 Kos) who moved up to Super Middleweight, finally got put to bed once and for all.

Having seen two previously intriguing outings between Canelo and Golovkin, this version of “GGG” who showed up last night inside that squared circle was a shell of himself in my eyes. It was clear from the jump that Canelo was the aggressor proceeding with the “game plan” at hand while in a surprising way, Golovkin seemed tentative and unsure about how to proceed with his own “game plan”. Golovkin’s pistol jab was missing in action throughout the bout. His punch output was non-existent for most of the night.

Canelo was pretty much having his way round after round. His quickness and punch output were keeping Golovkin in retreat mode enabling him to get into any type of rhythm with his offence. Both combatants looked physically fit and ready to throw down but it was Canelo who had that focussed look of hunger and determination in his eyes.

As skillful as Golovkin is as an elite fighter, last night he looked slow, unsure, disengaged with no sense of urgency at what was unfolding inside that squared circle. Golovkin had absolutely no answer in trying to deter Canelo from having his way inside that squared circle. Thar said, Golovkin finally showed signs of the old “GGG” in the later rounds when he suddenly started to press the action by being a little more active with some aggression to gain some type of traction going his way.

It was the right idea but by then Canelo had already bagged enough deciding rounds to secure the bout. Golovkin put up a good effort in the championship rounds but a little too late in my eyes to sway the Judges. After twelve fully completed rounds the Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

This scorecard does not reflect what transpired inside that squared circle. The right combatant unquestionably won this bout but for these Judges to say this bout was that close of a fight is disrespectful to the winner. Canelo convincingly won this bout by a long slide Hands Down! The Chapter of Canelo vs Golovkin is officially closed.

With this conclusive win, Canelo successfully retained his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Championship Titles.

Congratulations Canelo on another great performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Gennadiy Golovkin III”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Challenge

It has officially been announced, the trilogy bout between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 Kos) who will be looking to get back on a winning streak when he faces Middleweight WBA/WBC Champion Gennadiy Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 Kos) who will be moving up to Super Middleweight to get his get back from his only defeat at the hands of Canelo Alvarez 4 years ago.

Quite a few fans in the boxing industry have mixed feelings regarding this trilogy match up but truth be told them two combatants have a serious dislike for one another that can only be settled inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

Golovkin never accepted his loss to Canelo and campaigned heavily for a do over that has now been accepted by Canelo. Alvarez has heard the plea and the trash talking from team “GGG”, enough that he now wants to put an end to it once and for all by administering a convincing beating that will end all talk on Saturday September 17, 2022 on DAZN Pay-Per-View from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This trilogy bout has a lot at stake for Canelo considering he is coming from a loss after moving up to the Light Heavyweight Division at a failed attempt to dethroning WBA “Super” Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol. Dmitry made Canelo look bad in his defeat and that is not something Canelo is accustomed to. Therefore, Canelo must win and win in a conclusive fashion to silence the skeptics who think Canelo has lost a step since his previous defeat.

That said, Golovkin clearly doesn’t care at what weight this bout will be at, he just wants another opportunity to rectify his previous outing against his nemesis Canelo. With Canelo coming to this bout after a loss and “GGG’ from a win, this trilogy has now become must see tv.

Tune in Saturday night September 17, 2022 on DAZN Pay-Per-View from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and witness the outcome of this intriguing matchup.

Blaze

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

WBC Interim Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s PBC/Showtime Main Event was a showcase type of event when undefeated David Benavidez (26-0, 23 Kos) completely annihilated our own Canadian star David Lemieux (43-5, 36 Kos) by stoppage at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The outcome of this bout was already written the day David signed up for this bout. No disrespect to David but our Canadian representative was a mismatch from the jump.

David talked a good game and fought with the heart and will of a warrior but was simply met with a combatant who was too strong and too big for him to deter inside that squared circle. Don’t get me wrong, David has taken on plenty of bigger guys throughout his career but none were ever this ferocious as Benavidez was on that night.

Benavidez toyed with David from round one with a series of heavy punches being handed towards David with absolutely no answer and came close to being stopped in the first round if it wasn’t for the bell saving David from being laid out. The second round was a continuation of round one where David attempted to defend himself but couldn’t get by Benavidez’s busy hands and nonstop onslaught coming at him from all corners – from the body to the head and through the ropes and onto the floor for a quick eight count.

The inevitable was apparent. Benavidez was breaking Lemieux down easier than expected and by the third round, David was simply in survivor mode fighting off adrenaline, absorbing uppercuts, body shots and straight head shots bouncing off the ropes with utterly no sense of defence which then prompted Lemieux’s corner to stop the bout.

This one-sided beatdown handed down by Benavidez reaffirmed his position in the Super Middleweight Division. With this win Benavidez picked up the WBC Interim Super Middleweight Belt, bringing him one step closer to challenging the Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 Kos).

This is a bout that needs to happen. David Benavidez can no longer be avoided. Canelo needs to answer this challenge to silence the cynics who think he is afraid of the possible obstacle ahead in the form of David Benavidez.

Until then, congratulations Benavidez on your latest convincing victory.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship

History was made at last night’s Showtime PPV Main Event from the MGM Grand Garden when Pound-for-Pound “Kingpin” Unified Super WBA/WBC/WBO and Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 Kos) defeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant (21-1, 12 Kos) to become the first ever Undisputed Middleweight Champion in the four-belt era. Unbelievable!

It was a cerebral type of performance by Canelo that required patience round by round. Caleb was a formidable opponent with exceptional ring IQ inside that squared circle that needed to be broken down before fully engaging.

Caleb made things interestingly difficult at first with a busy jab, boxing and moving never staying stationary long enough to prevent Canelo from landing anything too damaging at first. It was the right “game plan” to use against Canelo but it was one that required absolutely no room for any slip-up and to stay switched on round after round.

As expected, Canelo’s calculated pressure with some timely power punches visibly started to slow Caleb down in the later rounds. Canelo could sense Caleb mentally starting to show signs of breaking down and the “end game” was only a matter of time.

That being said, by the 11th round the inevitable happened when Canelo connected heavily on his chin and dropped Caleb for an 8 count that saw Caleb get up staggering across the ring hurt but still wanting to continue when the referee asked him. Canelo then went into “Beast Mode” and ferociously attacked Caleb with shots to the head and neck that dramatically knocked him down for the count.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and Caleb Plant’s performance last night proved to me and the boxing world that he belongs at the top and earned Canelo’s respect. There is absolutely no shame in your game if you fall short to the “Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez.

With this historical victory, Canelo now becomes the first Mexican combatant and the first Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion to hold the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO and the Ring Magazine Belt concurrently.

Congratulation Canelo on becoming one of the six male combatants to ever capture the prestigious accomplishment of being Undisputed Champion. You have successfully completed your goal.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Bektemir Melikuziev vs Gabe Rosado”

Vacant WBO International Super Middleweight Title

Veteran Gabe Rosado (26-13-1, 15 Kos) proved to still be a formidable opponent on any given night when he dropped and stopped the young and previously undefeated Bektemir Melikuziev (7-1, 6 Kos) in dramatic fashion at the Don Haskins Center, EL Paso, Texas, last night.

The matchmakers for Melikuziev saw Rosado as a name they could use to keep busy and by the way, Melikuziev started the first round with some heavy punches going from head to the body and eventually dropping Rosado for a quick 8 count. Many thought it would be another quick night of action for Melikuziev.

That being said, Rosado stood his ground and weathered the early onslaught from the young warrior but in doing so also capitalized on the Bully’s mistakes and bad habits when he connected with a strong right hand to the dome in the third round that knocked out the bigger and stronger Bektemir for the count. Lights out!

This was by far Rosado’s most impressive win to date. They underestimated Gabe and treated him as a folder type opponent and found out it was simply too soon of a challenge for Melikuziev to take at this point in his early career.

With this emphatic win Gabe now picked up the Vacant WBO International Super Middleweight title. Well done.

Congratulations Gabe on your latest win. Keep working hard and proving your naysayers wrong.

Blaze