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 Billy Joe Saunders vs Shefat Isufi”

Vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title

In his first meaningful fight since David Lemieux, Billy Joe Saunders (28-0, 13 Kos) moved up to the Super-Middleweight Division and challenge No. 1 rated WBO challenger Shefat Isufi (27-4-2, 20 Kos) for the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title at the Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

On paper this bout looked like an even match considering BJS was coming up in weight from the Middleweight Division. However, as the bout progressed, it quickly became clear that we were witnessing another BJS vs David Lemieux type performance inside that squared circle.

For someone who didn’t have an active outing in 2018, BJS was sharp as a whistle-bobbing and weaving, slipping and dipping and popshots at will. BJS controlled every round. There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and it was evident last night that Isufi did not belong in that squared circle with BJS.

No disrespect to Isufi, Dude showed up to fight and gave it a good try even had a good round six in his favour but not enough to sway the Judges. All three Judges scored the fight 120-108, 117-111 and 118-110 in favour of Billy joe Saunders. Nuff said!

With this dominant performance by Billy Joe Saunders, the former WBO Middleweight Champion now becomes a two-weight Champion by capturing the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title.

Billy Joe is a problem in either weight Division. I can’t wait to see what becomes of his latest acquisition.

Congratulations on your latest achievement Billy.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs Demetrius Andrade”

WBO Middleweight Challenge

The World Boxing Organization has mandated Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 Kos) to defend his WBO Middleweight Title against former WBO/WBA 154-pound Champion Demetrius Andrade (25-0, 16 Kos).

This bout right here has the potential of being one of the best fights made in the Middleweight Division for the year 2018. Real Talk! I’ve seen firsthand what BJ brings to that squared circle. The dismantling of his previous opponent (our Canadian) David Lemieux, showed me just how crafty and dominant BJ can be when focussed.

That being said, I’m anticipating BJ to step it up another level when he bumps gloves with Andrade who himself is quite an exceptional boxer with a very high IQ inside that squared circle. Again, there are levels to this boxing sh*t and these two are definitely going to give us a great performance to remember. This will most likely be a chess match type dual. Both are crafty and strategic when they fight. Both use the full ring to their advantage. Andrade is more of a come forward type boxer who moves very well while BJ is best fighting of the back foot while being very elusive himself.

Expect a brilliant boxing match from two of the best in the game come Saturday October 20, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

The stakes are high for both combatants. Both are out to prove that they are the No. 1 Middleweight in the Division. BJ is the defending WBO Champion planning on being victorious, while Andrade will be attempting to become a two weight Division Champion by snatching that WBO Belt away from Saunders.

The outcome of this bout will once again shift the Middleweight Division so tune in to DAZN, the new platform for Matchroom Boxing USA and enjoy two of boxing’s finest duke it out under the bright lights.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs David Lemieux”

WBO Middleweight Championship

Last night at the Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, Canada, I witnessed firsthand how seemingly easy BJ Saunders (26-0, 12 Kos) dismantled heavy fisted David Lemieux (38-4, 33Kos) in his hometown. REAL TALK!

I have to seriously tip my “B” hat to BJ’s masterful display of skill he performed with in that squared circle. BJ had absolutely no “RESPECT” nor “FEAR” for David Lemieux perceived and well-known abilities on that stage last night. BJ came on enemy soil and schooled, dazzled, out boxed and outsmarted the bully in his own house.

It was impressive to see just how dominant BJ was round by round. The man toyed with the puncher and made it a cat and mouse game by using exceptional movement and slick footwork to prevent David from ever being able to land anything of significance. David had absolutely no answer to BJ’s astonishing offence.

The “Kid” did his homework on Lemieux and executed the game plan to a “T”. You have to give “props” to his trainer Dominic Ingle for seriously reviving BJ’s career cause last night I witness a “World Class Boxer” in Billy Joe Saunders in that squared circle.

Congratulations Champ on retaining your WBO Middleweight Championship in such a convincing manner, you truly are a legit threat in the Middleweight Division.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs David Lemieux”

WBO Middleweight Title Challenge

It’s official. We Canadian Boxing fans will have the privilege of witnessing first hand two of the world’s top Middleweights in WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders (25-0, 12 kos) and David Lemieux (38-3, 33 Kos) do battle Saturday December 16, 2017 at the Place Bell in Laval, Quebec.

I have to tip my “B” hat to Billy Joe Saunders for being real to his words and stepping his Game up with a serious competitor like David Lemieux. Agreeing to a title defense in an opponent’s backyard is proof enough for me to see that BJ is really about that life and is actually daring himself to be great.

A bout against the homegrown heavy fisted David Lemieux in Canada is a dangerous fight but one that can definitely create a certain amount of buzz within the Division. To go into someone else’s house and beat them speaks volume in this Game. REAL TALK!

Styles make fights and this one here has the potential of being a very interesting one. REAL TALK! We got BJ as the slick savvy boxer-puncher going toe-to-toe with Lemieux, a persistent banger who only knows how to move forward with hard blows and a dirty left that’s been known to cripple quite a few opponents.

There is a lot at stake here for both fighters. For BJ, a win against Lemieux would definitely make his stock rise and show the Middleweight Division that he’s not just all talk and should be taken as a major player from this point on. For Lemieux, a win against BJ would give him the status of a Two-Time World Champion, the WBO World Middleweight belt in hand and the main piece to lure a rematch against Gennady Golovkin or a title fight with Canelo Alvarez.

BJ is promising to do a lot of damage to Lemieux even to the point of beating him to a stoppage. Now I know that BJ has found himself being rejuvenated under the tutelage of trainer Dominic Ingle but damn his confidence is on 100 right now.

Listen all I know is that BJ better not underestimate Lemieux come fight night cause your Boy David is a proven warrior whose conquered some heavy hitters in the game and has the track record to prove it. Don’t be fooled by his three losses but do pay attention to his “33 Kos”. This Kat can seriously crack at any given time in that squared circle.

As the Middleweight Division is stacking up with new faces, this fight is a great opportunity for David and BJ to show the rest of the Division what level they’re on by giving us a hell of a showdown. May the best man win!

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

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

Reigning WBO Middleweight Champion

Tonight at London’s Copper Box Arena, Billy Joe Saunders (25-0, 12Kos) successfully retained his WBO Middleweight Title in beating Willie Monroe Jr. (21-3, 6 Kos) with a twelve round unanimous decision. REAL TALK!

Billy looked calm, in control and never looking rattled or bothered by Willie. It was a boxing chess match in winch Billy’s game plan was executed to perfection. I was quite disappointed to see how weak Monroe performed tonight knowing what was at stake if he won. Willie’s offence was stagnating and lackadaisical. As the visiting fighter your game needs to be on point from the “jump”. You can’t afford to sit back and play the waiting game. He may have looked the part tonight but he did not show up to win in that squared circle.

With that being said I have to congratulate Billy Joe Saunders for his convincing win. Billy showed up in shape and performed well for someone who hadn’t fought since December 2016. His improved stamina was very noticeable considering how he competed impressively in every round. With this win I’m eager to see how he follows it up. Will the winner of the Canelo/Golovkin call him out? Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs Willie Monroe Jr.”

WBO Middleweight Title Challenge

Once again another important Middleweight fight is flying under the radar due to the Middleweight Supremacy battle between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, which definitely needs some attention.

Billy Joe Saunders (24-0, 12 Kos) will be making his second defense of his WBO Middleweight Championship Title against Willie Monroe Jr. (21-2, 6Kos) on Saturday September 16, 2017 at London’s Copper Box Arena live on BT Sport and Box Nation.

Judging by the change of trainer to Dominic Ingle and the newfound discipline of Billy Joe, I’m starting to think that he’s actually taking this defense seriously. Billy is viewing this defense as a new beginning a renewed focus to actually attempt at unifying the Middleweight Division. In his mind securing a convincing win against Willie Monroe could open up talks between the winner of Canelo/Golovkin.

With that being said Willy Monroe is hoping to disrupt Saunders future plans by attempting to snatch the WBO Middleweight Title from him. The WBO Belt is the last remaining missing piece to the puzzle. The winner between Saunders’ and Monroe Jr. will have a major bargaining piece to bring to the negotiating table. Losing is not an option for either fighter vying for a shot at the “Throne” in the Middleweight Division.

Ultimately the pressure relies on Billy to perform like the Champion that he is proclaiming to be. The last two years for him have not been his greatest considering injuries while also playing the waiting game with the lack of good competition. He’s been talking a lot of trash as of late so its time to back it up.

I personally anticipate for this bout between Saunders/Monroe to be a very competitive. Stamina will play a major part in this one. Both are unique Boxers in their own way. With Billy’s newfound “fountain of youth” on display and Willie’s fired-up hunger to dethrone the Champ in his own house, we can certainly expect an action-packed evening. Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze