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

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders”

WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight Title Unification

Last night’s DAZN/Matchroom Main Event card at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, between Pound-for-Pound “Kingpin” Unified Super WBA/WBC and Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 Kos) and WBO Super Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype in front of a record-breaking indoor crowd of 73,126 in attendance.

This bout was an intriguing-type fight, a high played chess match executed on the biggest stage that required both combatants to strategize every move countered by each other. Billy showed up big tonight and proved to be a worthy opponent with exceptional skills that made things quite tricky at times with his elusive ways. Billy fought well, boxed and moved with the right “game plan” at hand until Canelo started to set Billy up by applying calculated pressure with some heavy body punches that really troubled Billy as the rounds were piling up.

Canelo is a different “Beast” inside that squared circle and Billy found out just how tough of an opponent Canelo can be when pressed to go toe to toe. Canelo kept it cool round by round but never wavered when Billy had his moments in spurts building his own confidence up. However, it was only a matter of time before Canelo eventually caught up to Billy. That being said a devastating right uppercut to Billy’s right eye did just that in the 8th round and undeniably changed the momentum in Canelo’s favor. The “End Game” was inevitable.

That particular punch instantly swelled Billy’s eye shut. Due to the heavy damage sustained, Billy retired on his stool following the end of the 8th round, unable to continue.

With this stoppage Canelo was awarded the TKO victory and awarded the WBO Super Middleweight Belt to be added to his collection alongside his Super WBA/WBC and Ring Magazine Titles. Once again Canelo captures the “0” of another undefeated and worthy Champion in Billy Joe Saunders.

The road to Undisputed is still the task at hand. In order to attain the last remaining Title, Canelo will need to Unify the 168-Pound Division by Challenging the IBF Champion Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 Kos). Another captivating bout to look forward too.

History is on your horizon Canelo, until then, congratulations on another convincing win.

Blaze

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

WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator

It was another strong showing for David Benavidez (24-0, 21 Kos) at last night’s Showtime Boxing Main Event card at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut when he battled Ronald Ellis (18-2-2, 12 Kos) in a WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator.

Ellis made it fight for as long as he could but soon found out that Benavidez is a serious problem inside that squared circle. Outside looking in, many competitors think that Benavidez is nothing special with no real special effects to his style, but once that bell rings, they find out really quickly that the kid is strong and very effective with his non-stop offence. Benavidez won’t dazzle you with his footwork but he will cut the ring on you and apply that pressure from round one until the end of the fight.

That being said, Ellis fell victim to the same circumstances when it was painfully evident that the punishment Ellis was absorbing round after round would eventually wear him down. Ellis boxed and moved well and definitely made it interesting but the heavy combinations and deadly body and head shots that Benavidez was administering on Ellis forced the referee to ultimately jump in and stop the bout in the 11th round.

Benavidez is a top 168-Pounder who can no longer be avoided by any of the other top contenders in the Division. With this win Benavidez is one step closer at reclaiming his WBC Super Middleweight Title he lost on the scale by not making weight in the last fight.

Benavidez is now officially the new mandatory challenger to Canelo Alvarez’s WBC Super Middleweight Title. With that in mind Benavidez has no shortage of confidence and truly believes he’s the man who will dethrone Canelo from the No. 1 Spot.

This is an interesting bout between the two that needs to happen but with Canelo’s quest of unifying the Super Middleweight Division this year, we may have to wait to see this intriguing clash come into fruition.

Until then keep piling up the wins David.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Callum Smith”

Super Middleweight Supremacy

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas between Canelo Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 Kos) and Callum Smith (27-1, 19 Kos) was the perfect way to end the Year 2020.

Canelo, who was clearly the shorter fighter standing at 5 foot 8 to the towering Callum at 6 foot 3, displayed some serious Boxing IQ that had Callum confused all night inside that squared circle. It was a thing of beauty to watch the smaller man walk down his opponent the way he did considering Callum had all the physical advantages coming into this bout.

I was surprised by the fact that Canelo showed absolutely no fear at all throughout the rounds. Canelo’s jab and body attack were so vicious and precise that Callum stayed on his back foot trying to avoid the heavy pounding he was receiving all night.

I expected Callum to be Canelo’s toughest challenge to date but judging on how Canelo dominated and dismantled Callum from round one to twelve, Canelo proved once again why he is the Pound-for-Pound best in the World today. Real Talk!

There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and Canelo’s masterclass performance last night showed us just how superior he can get when faced with so many drawbacks.

Callum, who was rated as the No. 1 Super Middleweight in the Division, took the worst beating I’ve ever seen him take in his career to date. The “game plan” that his corner drew up had absolutely no effect on Canelo whatsoever. Dude got heart though and he withheld the onslaught coming his way like the fighting man that he is.

That said, after 12 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges scored it 117-111, 119-109 and 119-109 in favor of Canelo. With this convincing win, Canelo is now the New WBC/WBA “Super” and Ring Magazine Champion of the World and now the No.1 168-Pounder in the Division.

With a new Division to dominate, Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion is the latest task at hand for the No. 1 Pound-for-Pound King they call Canelo Alvarez.

Congratulations Canelo on your latest accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Jacobs vs Gabriel Rosado”

Super Middleweight Grudge Match

Last night’s DAZN and Matchroom main event between Daniel Jacobs “The Miracle Man” (37-3, 30 Kos) and Gabriel Rosado (25-13-1, 14 Kos) at the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida did not live up to the anticipated so-called grudge match up that we were all waiting for. Real Talk!

I’m a big fan of both them Dudes but real talk, neither one of them backed up their tough talk inside that squared circle. Them Dudes talked a heap of sh*t to each other to being out right disrespectful. Respect had to be earned and given so I was expecting some serious fireworks from round one but instead got two Dudes who barely threw any leather at each other.

Jacobs was treating this bout as a stay busy fight but clearly forgot the part about getting busy active wise inside that squared circle. I’m not sure if the fact that there was no crowd unmotivated him but he visibly didn’t look his usual self inside that squared circle.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and your boy Jacobs did not show any superior levels against Gabe last night. In fact, Rosado executed his “game plan” to a “T” and boxed a good fight with low output but he definitely didn’t look like someone who was not meant to be there.

Although the bout didn’t turn out the way we all expected, Gabe showed discipline and fought well enough to deserve the win or a draw in my eyes but, left in the Judges hands, two of them saw it 115-113 for Jacobs and 115-113 for Rosado. Definitely a disputable outcome.

Jacobs may have been declared the winner of this bout but if he has any aspiration of challenging any of the belt holders in the Super Middleweight Division, he needs to come in with his head in the game and with a way better “game plan” then what we saw last night cause this version of Jacobs doesn’t cut it at the top of the 168-Pound Division. Real Talk!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Caleb Plant vs Vincent Feigenbutz”

IBF Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s homecoming bout at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee between Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (20-0, 12 Kos) and Vincent Feigenbutz (31-3, 28 Kos) was a beautiful display of boxing skills by the homegrown fighter.

Caleb handed his mandatory challenger Vincent a one-on-one schooling session at its highest level. No disrespect to Vincent who was a tough and heavy fisted opponent who was simply short of being ready for an A+ fighter of Caleb’s caliber.

As big and strong as Vincent was inside that squared circle, it was clear from the jump that he did not possess the right attributes to hang with the Champ. Caleb systematically dismantled and abused Vincent from top to bottom with some well-placed combination punches that had Vincent confused and beaten at every corner of every round.

By the 10th round, it was clearly a no-win situation for Vincent who was a walking heavy bag for Caleb. The referee had seen enough and pulled the plug at 2:23 of the remaining round.

With this win Caleb successfully retained his IBF Super Middleweight Title and is now welcoming all other Super Middleweight Champions to the round table. Caleb is looking for that smoke and that unification bout.

That being said, Caleb is shaping up to be a real threat of a Champion in the Super Middleweight Division. He’s got that “it” factor with that determination and hunger to run the 168-pound Division as the No. 1 guy.

Caleb is looking like a complete fighter right now. It’s gonna take a special fighter to derail this confident Champion from his seat at the round table.

WBC Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez is looking forward to oblige Caleb’s request of a future bout and I can’t wait to see what comes of it.

Until then, congratulations on your convincing win Caleb.

Blaze