On The Watch “It’s All About NBA FINALS 2021”

2021 NBA FINALS

With the NBA ‘s version of the Final 4 now officially over, the two remaining teams to represent their respective coasts are the No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks for the EASTSIDE and No. 2 Seeded Phoenix Suns for the WESTSIDE.

No one predicted this Finals matchup at the beginning of this year’s shortened NBA Season but due to a vigorous up and down NBA Season and multiple injuries to key players throughout the Playoffs from various favorable teams, the balance of power was tipped in a major way to which has now brought us to this intriguing outcome.

I’m not going to take away anything from what these two teams have accomplished on their journey to the Finals. The Bucks are coming into this Finals series with a question mark with the uncertainty of their leader and star player Giannis Antetokounmpo being unavailable due to a knee injury. Milwaukee has come a long way and battled Miami, Brooklyn and dismantled a tough Atlanta team without Giannis for the two close-out games. I would say this team right here is suitably battle tested and ready for whatever the Phoenix Suns has to offer.

That being said, the Suns haven’t graced the Finals since 1993 but this squad right here led by Chris Paul and young star in the making Devin Booker, and Phoenix’s inexperienced young squad has already surpassed all expectations by having completed a successful season and having made it to the Finals by going through the Defending Champions the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers to secure their spot at the Finals table. Not an easy task for an inexperienced young squad but they did it.

With the Bucks looking to win their first NBA Title since 1971 and the Suns looking to secure their first NBA Title in history, the stakes are extremely high making this Year’s NBA Finals must see TV. So, tune in this Tuesday night July 6, 2021 and witness this high played chess match style of the NBA Finals live on ABC.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios”

WBA Super Lightweight Championship

Last night’s PPV PBC/Showtime Main Event matchup between Gervonta Davis (25-0, 24 Kos) and WBA “Regular” Super Lightweight Champion Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 Kos) at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, definitely lived up to the hype. Real talk!

Davis, who last fought in the 130-pound Division, moved up two weight Divisions to challenge tough and powerful Barrios for his WBA “Regular” Super Lightweight Title. As expected, this bout wasn’t no cakewalk for Davis. Barrios the much taller and rangier fighter of the two, kept things quite interesting and competitive for as long as he could inside that squared circle.

Barrios came to fight and stood his ground like the Champion that he was. Barrios boxed and moved and made things challenging for the shorter Davis. Although Barrios stayed disciplined throughout the rounds you could sense Davis getting comfortable and adjusting his “game plan” as the rounds progressed.

Once Davis’ range and power punches started connecting, you could visibly see Barrios feel the power “Tank” was landing from head to body. It was only a matter of time before Barrios slipped and in the 8th round, a two-piece combo from “Tank” straight to Barrios’ dome dropped him for a quick 8 count.

Impressively, Barrios survived the round and continued to stand his ground in a competitive fashion all the way to the 10th round like a warrior on a mission to live. That being said, by the 11th round the “End Game” was inevitable. Davis’ pressure and heavy onslaught was too much for Barrios to endure. A well-placed vicious uppercut to the solar plexus dropped Barrios hard to the ground but still Barrios rose up after the 8 count only to be dropped again by a series of heavy unanswered punches which then prompted the referee to stop the fight at the 2:13 mark of the 11th round.

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Barrios, Dude came in a Champion and fought like a Champion. This was by far Davis’ biggest test to date which he passed with flying colors. The naysayers will try to discredit Gervonta’s latest accomplishment but this was not an easy task. “Tank” showed up last night and proved to be levels above his competition. With this convincing win “Tank” becomes the new WBA “Regular” Super Lightweight Champion of the world and a three-Division World Champion.

Peeps need to stop hating on the young man and appreciate the talent this Kat brings inside that squared circle time and time again. Real talk!

Congratulations “Tank” on another impressive victory, now on to the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Masayoshi Nakatani”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event saw the return of Vasiliy Lomachenko (15-2, 10 Kos) taking on
Masayoshi Nakatani (19-2, 13 Kos) at the Virgin Hotels, in Las Vegas Nevada.

“Loma” came into this bout with a chip on his shoulders and showed us what a fully healed driven fighter can accomplish when no existing lingering injuries are present.

No disrespect to Nakatani, but last night Masayoshi was merely a prop for Loma’s 2.0. version of the “Matrix” inside that squared circle. Loma broke down the bigger, rangier and taller combatant piece by piece at will from head to body round by round.

There was absolutely nothing Nakatani could do to stop the smaller “Loma” from having his way with him inside that squared circle. Punches were coming from all corners with speed and precision. “Loma” looked surprisingly sharp for someone who just came back from shoulder surgery.

Nakatani looked lost and puzzled with no real “game plan” to stop the offensive onslaught coming his way. By the 9th round Nakatani was pretty much out on his feet from the barrage
he was absorbing and eventually dropped to the canvas which then prompted the referee to stop the bout.

This was a masterful performance by “Loma” hands down against a worthy opponent. With this convincing win “Loma” has rightfully reinserted himself back into title contention once again.

It will be interesting to see if IBF/WBA/WBO/WBC Franchise Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 Kos) offers Lomachenko that rematch he’s been asking for.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Erickson Lubin vs Jeison Rosario”

WBC Junior Middleweight Eliminator

Last night’s PPV PBC/Showtime Co Main Event between Erickson Lubin (24-1, 17 Kos) and Jeison Rosario (20-3-1, 14 Kos)  at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, was a statement type bout that was much needed in the Division.

It didn’t take much time for the two warriors to start exchanging leather back and forth, the only looming question was who would be able to withstand the onslaught.

Erickson looked more patient with his approach while Rosario pressed the action leaving quite a few holes open for Erickson to capitalize on. Although both combatants landed quite a few heavy shots on one another it was Rosario who seemed, to me, to have lost some serious punch resistance.

Once Erickson realized that Rosario’s punch resistance was shot it was only a matter of time before he connected on something significant. By the 6th round Erickson pressed the action and landed some serious head and body shots that sent Rosario down for a quick 8 count but then once up couldn’t sustain further body shots that sent him down for the second time and a full unanswered count.

With this win “The Hammer” may have scored his most impressive win to date over former unified World Champion Jeison Rosario. Now it’s about taking this WBC No. 1-Ranked contender position and push for that the rematch to avenge his only loss to WBC/WBA/IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Jermell Charlo.

Until then, keep killing your opposition.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2021 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Not too many people predicted this outcome for the Eastern Conference Finals. Real Talk! The No. 3 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 5 Seeded Atlanta Hawks both survived a tight game 7 to secure a spot to compete for the right to represent the Eastside in the NBA Finals. I gotta tip my “B” hat to the Atlanta Hawks for the way they’ve been balling as of late. I knew them Boys could shake up the Playoffs run but the Conference Finals I didn’t see that coming. They have beaten some very good teams and upset the No. 1 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers on their way up. Atlanta is not playing and them Boys mean business.

Standing in their way are the Milwaukee Bucks who grinded their way to the Conference Finals with their heads up high. They didn’t have an easy route and struggled at times but definitely showed a much better battle-tested Playoff squad, ready to rumble with the best of them. The Bucks have failed to advance to the Finals the last two seasons, so the pressure to succeed will be heavily weighing on their minds. That being said, the challenge awaiting them is here now and their time is now.

Who will emerge victorious in the Eastern Conference Finals and earn the right of passage to the NBA Finals? Tune in for Game 1 this Wednesday, June 23, 2021. This is going to be an intriguing series. Check Ball!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jermall Charlo vs Juan Macias Montiel”

WBC Middleweight Title Defense

Last night’s PBC/Showtime Main Event between WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 Kos) and Juan Macias Montiel (22-5-2, 22 Kos) turned out to be a better show than expected at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The “Hit Man” was definitely in a fight last night and although he clearly won the bout, I gotta tip my “B” hat to Montiel for making it exciting. Montiel came to fight and made it quite interesting. If Charlo was looking for an easy fight last night Montiel made sure to make it tough for him at least as best he could. Montiel showed some serious durability in this bout. Dude refused to bow down to the “Hit Man”. Charlo hit this Dude with everything from head to body with some serious sting behind it and Montiel, although clearly buzzed out at times looking punch drunk, still fought back and held his own. Montiel definitely earned my respect with this one.

Montiel never stopped coming forward throughout the bout. After 12 rounds of non-stop action, the Judges scored it 120-108, 119-109, 118-109 unanimously in favor of Jermall Charlo. With this win Charlo retained his WBC Middleweight Title. Well done.

Montiel proved to be a hell of a tough competitor but Charlo demonstrated to be levels above inside that squared circle.

Congratulations Champ, can’t wait to see who’s next for the “Hit Man”.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs Kamil Szeremeta”

WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Title Defense

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Champion Jaime Munguia (37-0, 29 Kos) and Kamil Szeremeta (21-2, 5 Kos) at the Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, was another showcase type of event for the Champion.

No disrespect to Szeremeta but he did not belong inside that squared circle with this young Lion Munguia. I personally think this bout was a step down from his previous outing. This bout was simply an open night to some light sparing session for Munguia.

Munguia may not be quite ready for the belt holders in the Division but the kid needs to be fed with better competition. You can clearly see he’s eager to test his skills with the best of them.

Szeremeta had absolutely nothing to offer him. Munguia was having his way with him with little to no resistance coming back Munguia’s body and head attacks were simply too strong for Szeremeta to withstand. It was like watching Munguia hit the heavy bag at will. It didn’t take long for Szeremeta’s corner to pull the plug at the end of the 6th round. The onslaught was just too painful to watch. Real Talk!

The kid needs to be unleashed and properly tested. Hopefully his next bout will do just that.

Just my thoughts.

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 2021 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2021 NBA Western Conference Finals

The NBA’s version of the Final 4 is set to start this Sunday night June 20, 2021 in the Western Conference, with two new contenders in the No. 2 Seeded Phoenix Suns and the 4th Seeded Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams have dealt with adversaries on their way to the Conference Finals. Exceptional team play, good coaching and the rise of their star players stepping it up, have all contributed to them reaching this pivotal point on the road to the NBA Finals. That being said, injuries have played a big part in this year’s Playoff run and neither team were exempted.

With Phoenix having been well rested for a week, the Suns will have the edge come game time, unlike the Clippers who had to battle through a tight game 5 and 6 without one of their star players in Kawhi Leonard due to a sprained knee. With the uncertainty of Kawhi’s availability, the battle tested Clippers will have to enter their first Western Conference Finals with a tough challenge ahead of them. Like the saying goes, “the next man up” will have to hold it down and step up to the plate if they plan on defeating this hot and blazing Phoenix Suns team who may have just the right amount of fire power to cool the Clippers off, especially if they are coming in one all-star player short.

Tune in this Sunday night June 20, 2021 and witness the Western Conference shootout under the hot blazing lights!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Jeremiah Nakathila”

WBO Interim Junior Lightweight Championship

Last night’s Main Event between Shakur Stevenson (16-0, 8 Kos) and Jeremiah Nakathila (21-2, 17 Kos) at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Nevada was another example of how defensively minded Shakur can be when met with an opponent with serious power. Real Talk!

Jeremiah was supposed to be a real tough test for Shakur and was coming off a 10-fight knockout winning streak. Jeremiah had envisioned putting them paws all over Stevenson’s face but was met with a superior opponent for the first time inside that squared circle.

As good and strong as Jeremiah was, he was clearly outmatched by the younger Stevenson who was elusive and untouchable the entire bout. This bout definitely wasn’t fan friendly to watch but one has to admire the ring generalship Shakur possesses at such a young age.

Jeremiah had absolutely no proper “game plan” to disrupt Shakur’s steady attack. Jeremiah’s frustration was becoming more and more visible as the rounds progressed. His desperate actions made him exposed and susceptible in the fifth round and got caught with a right hook to the chin that dropped him for a quick eight count near the end of the round.

Stevenson showed he was levels above Jeremiah throughout the entire bout of so-called action. Shakur’s defence was impeccable. Had he would have pressed the action and closed the show, the fans in attendance would have been more appreciative of his talent.

That being said, after 12 full rounds of action, the Judges scored it 120-107 unanimously in favor of Shakur Stevenson. With this win, Shakur is now the WBO Interim Junior Lightweight Champion of the World and mandatory challenger to the full WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Jamel Herring (23-2, 11 Kos).

Being that Stevenson may have the option to confront WBC Junior Lightweight Champion Oscar Valdez (29-0, 20 Kos), I can surely anticipate a much better competitive and entertaining bout regardless of which Champion Shakur decides to challenge.

Until then, congratulations on your latest win Shakur.

Blaze