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

On The Watch “It’s All About The 69th 2020 NBA All-Star Game”

This Year the 69th annual NBA All-Star Game will be hosted in the iconic city of Chicago at the United Center, on Sunday February 16, 2020.
In an effort to keep things fresh and exciting, the league is maintaining the Draft-Style format once again. As usual the starters were chosen by the fans and the media and the players also had a say to the votes. Returning Captains Giannis Antetokounpo and LeBron James were able to draft from the pool of players voted as Starters and Reserves.

Representing the Eastern Conference Starters this year are

-Giannis Antetokounpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Team Captain
-Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
-Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors)
-Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics)
-Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)

Reserves

-Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
-Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
-Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
-Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat)
-Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
-Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans)
-Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)

Coach Nick Nurse (Toronto Raptors)

Representing the Western Conference Starters this year are

-LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Team Captain
-Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
-Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
-Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
-James Harden (Houston Rockets)

Reserves

-Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
-Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
-Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
-Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
-Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder)
-Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets)
-Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers)

Coach Frank Vogel (Los Angeles Lakers)

“King of The Court” will be up for grabs come Sunday night February 16, 2020. Which team will talk that sh*t and claim “GAME” when it’s all said and done?

Tune In!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

The NBA-Who’s On Top?

We are well passed the midpoint mark for the season with 51 plus Games played to date and leading the entire league again this year is the Milwaukee Bucks (43-7). Them boys are on a redemption tour playing hard night in and night out from offence to defence. The Bucks are locked in and driven to get to the NBA Finals and the way they have been ballin all season it could very well be theirs for the taking. Our own Canadian team, the Defending Champions the Toronto Raptors (36-14) are surprisingly keeping it interesting considering the loss of their MVP Kawhi Lenard to the Clippers. The Raptors still have a solid squad that can definitely upset any team thinking that they are a walk over. The Boston Celtics (34-15) and the Miami Heat (34-15) are presently tied for third but either team could easily grab the No. 2 Seed with the way both teams have been playing as of late. They are both well- balanced teams who play hard ball from start to finish. The Indiana Pacers (31-19) and the Philadelphia 76ers (31-20) are both trying to hold down their respective spots for a Playoff seed but truth be told I personally expected Philly to be fighting for the 1 to 3 spot and not the lower seeds. That being said, there is still lots of ball to be played and the brackets could change come April.

With the Golden State Warriors forced to take a back seat this year, the Western Conference has a new face leading the pack with the Los Angeles Lakers (38-11). They started the season with the No. 1 spot and are still holding onto it thanks to the play of their two All Stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis helping to lead the way. That being said, holding onto the No. 1 spot won’t be that easy with The Los Angeles Clippers (35-15) chasing that No. 1 Seed and gunning for “king of the Los Angeles Court” with their two All Star players, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George getting it going come crunch time. The Denver Nuggets (35-16) are right there as expected and ready to take the No. 1 or the No 2 Seed if either Los Angeles team falter. The Nuggets may be overlooked here but they are definitely ballin the right way this season. The Utah Jazz (32-17) are bubbling at the right time securing their Playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference but holding onto their spot is a challenge within itself considering how tough the conference is. I expect a musical chair type seeding to happen within the remaining teams vying for a potential Playoff spot. The Houston Rockets (32-18), the Dallas Mavericks (31-19), the Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20) and the Portland Trail Blazers (23-28) all have a chance at a final run.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Julian Williams vs Jeison Rosario”

IBF/IBO/WBA Junior Middleweight Challenge

There is a musical chairs situation going down with the Champions in the Junior Middleweight Division and the latest one to lose the crown in his homecoming bout is defending IBF/IBO/WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams (27-2-1, 16 Kos). Real Talk!

Last night’s Main Event at Temple University’s Liacouras Center between Julian Williams and Jeison Rosario (20-1-1, 14 Kos) might be up there for an early upset of the year 2020. Underdog Rosario took his opportunity with both hands and asserted himself nice and early and bullied the Champ “J-Rock” by stopping him in only 5 rounds. Unbelievable!

Julian got caught sleeping and paid the price. Rosario stood his ground and pressured Williams at every corner with heavy combinations that visibly rocked Julian. Rosario’s power punches were key and clearly had “J-Rock” tuned out on shaky legs all over them ropes by the 5th round that eventually prompted the referee to pull the plug on the unanswered onslaught that Rosario was administering towards “J-Rock”.

With this win Rosario shocked and silenced the Philly home crowd by becoming the New Unified Junior Middleweight IBF/IBO/WBA Champion of the World.

Styles makes fights but do expect the unexpected whenever you step foot inside that squared circle. Last night’s Main Event is a perfect example of that. You never know what a hungry Lion will do when the right opportunity presents itself.

Congratulations Jeison on your latest accomplishment, you earned that one.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs Spike O’Sullivan”

Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s DAZN’s Main Event at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas between Jaime Munguia (35-0, 28 Kos) and Spike O’Sullivan (30-4, 21 Kos) did not disappoint.

Munguia, in his first Middleweight debut, asserted himself quite well against the tough and seasoned veteran O’Sullivan. It wasn’t a walk-in park for Munguia but a stiff challenge type introduction to letting him know what is to come in the 160-Pound Division.

Spike did his best at keeping up with Munguia and making it quite interesting in the early rounds with his counter punches but as the rounds wore on Munguia started to feel more and more comfortable in there. Munguia showed improvement with his speed and movement but the main and obvious factor causing Spike all his problems was Munguia’s power. Munguia’s steady jab and overhand right was landing at will last night and Spike had no real answer for it.

Although Spike showed tough grit in there and the willingness to compete, the non-stop onslaught he was receiving by the 11th round had him out on his feet which then prompted O’Sullivan’s corner to throw in the towel.

With his first win at the Middleweight Division, Jaime Munguia has officially arrived. His youth, size, speed and strength appear to fit the 160-Pound Division just right. The Kid is nice with it and feeling himself rightfully so. But calling for all that smoke with all the Champions at the Middleweight Division (not called Demetrius Andrade) might be a step too early.

That said, congratulations on your victory Jaime, I can’t wait to see who will step up to the plate and accept that challenge.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Ivana Habazin”

Vacant WBC/WBO Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s SHOWTIME showdown Main Event from the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, between Claressa Shields (10-0, 2 Kos) and Ivana Habazin (20-4, 7 Kos) was a beautiful display of boxing.

Shields, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” of boxing, walked it like she talked it by administering a clear one-sided beatdown to Ivana. Claressa systematically broke down Ivana from top to bottom with a series of body shots that eventually dropped Habazin in the 6th round for a quick 8 count that eventually demoralized Ivana for the remainder of scheduled 10 rounds.

In short, Claressa simply outboxed and outclassed her opponent in every possible category. Ivana had absolutely no proper “game plan” or the required skills to stunt or slow down the onslaught that Claressa was dispensing towards her.

Truth be told, Claressa made it look easy – so easy that Judges scored it after 10 rounds of action; 99-89, 100-90 and 100-89 for Shields by unanimous decision. Ivana was a very worthy opponent that talked a good game but couldn’t back up one word inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

With this win, Claressa picked up the vacant WBC/WBO Belts and became the fastest fighter male or female in boxing history to win World Titles in three separate weight division: 168, 160 and now the 154 pounds.

By accomplishing this astonishing coup in just her 10th professional bout, Claressa has also beaten the previous record recognized by Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 Kos) and Kosei Tanaka (15-0, 9 Kos) who each became Three-Weight Division World Champions in their own 12th bouts in 2018.

The self-proclaimed “GWOAT” is the truth inside that squared circle. Taking the Queen off her Throne won’t be easy. Claressa is seriously creating that positive attention that’s been missing in woman’s boxing. That dedication and hard work that she’s been displaying night in and night out is paying off in every possible way.

Congratulations on your latest achievements Claressa – they are well-deserved.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Yuriorkis Gamboa”

Vacant WBA “regular” Lightweight Title

Last night’s Main Event Showdown at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia between Gervonta “Tank” Davis (23-0, 22 Kos) and Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-3, 18 Kos) was a hell of show. Real Talk!

Gervonta, who usually walks through his opponents was met with a real tough warrior in Gamboa that wasn’t going to lay down without a fight. Real Talk! Gamboa put up a hell of a fight but still got touch at will whenever “Tank” pressed the action.

Gamboa showed heart and bravery in withstanding all those power shots that Davis was hammering on him throughout the rounds. However, in doing so he also gave Davis his toughest fight to date.

As good as “Tank” was doing he was in a real fight last night and definitely had to work to get the job done. Gervonta knocked Gamboa down in round 2, 8 and again in round 12. It’s in that final round that the referee decided to pull the plug after that last knockdown and stopped the fight.

It was a learning experience for Davis this go around. Fatigue settled in, he had to go 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career and this was his first fight at 135 Division. That being said “Tank” still weathered the heat and completed the task at hand with a knockout victory.

With this win Gervonta becomes a two-weight Division Champion by picking up the Vacant WBA “regular” Lightweight Title.

Congratulations Gervonta, now on to the new year 2020.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jean Pascal vs Badou Jack”

Interim WBA/WBC Light Heavyweight Challenge

In a tough and competitive bout last night at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Jean Pascal (36-6-1, 20 Kos) retained his Interim WBA/WBC Belts with a tight split decision against Badou Jack (22-3-3, 13 Kos).

This bout was exciting from the jump. Pascal came out the gate and asserted himself real early with an aggressive style that bothered Jack. Pascal’s power shots were coming in bunches and connected with a serious overhand right with some serious jabs that staggered and dropped Jack in the 4th round for a quick 8 count with only 10 seconds left in the round.

In the second half of the bout Jack started to work his way back and putting in some good work. The rounds were tight and very competitive. The action was none stop and carried all the way to  the final round where Jack connected with a hard right hand that dropped Pascal for a quick 8 count with lots of time left in the 12th round but Pascal showed grit and fired back enough shots to still stay competitive and finished the round strong and on his feet.

When it was all said and done two of the Judges scored it 114-112, 114-112 in favor of Pascal and 114-112 in favor of Jack.

With this win Jean Pascal retains his Interim WBA Light Heavyweight Title and WBC “silver” Light Heavyweight Title and finishes the year 2019 on a positive high.

Job well done Pascal, congratulations.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury”

WBC Heavyweight Title Challenge II

The rematch between these two giants: WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (42-0-1, 41 Kos) and Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20 Kos) has officially been set for Saturday February 22, 2020 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The split draw that both combatants received in their last encounter inside that squared circle has left a sour taste that both are eager to clear up permanently. It’s time to silence the critics. A lot of questions need to be answered from both sides.

Both combatants are predicting a knockout victory but to me the proven heavy fisted “Bronze Bomber” seams the most likely to fulfil his retribution. His track record speaks for itself. That being said, I can’t ignore the “Gypsy King” will to win, Dude got knockdown twice in their last outing and still managed to rise back up and stayed competitive while 41 of Deontay’s previous adversaries failed miserably.

There is more at stake this go around: their unbeaten records, the WBC Heavyweight Championship Title and the vacant Ring Magazine Title.

Tune in and witness this highly anticipated rematch. Who will walk away with both esteemed Titles when it’s all said and done on ESPN+ and Fox Sports pay-per-view Saturday February 22, 2020 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Tony Harrison vs Jermell Charlo”

WBC Super Welterweight Challenge Take II

Last night’s rematch at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California between Tony Harrison (28-3, 21 Kos) and Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

Charlo walked it like he talked it and made sure to keep the Judges out of this one. Charlo asserted himself early and was able to drop Tony in the second round for a quick 8 count. That prompted Harrison to change his “game plan” to become a more aggressive fighter due to the early knockdown.

As the rounds wore on Harrison boxed well enough to even out the rounds in my eyes, but it was clear that Charlo was looking to put a hurting on Harrison. Jermell’s controlled aggression along with his barrage of power punches were definitely keeping the fans interested.

However, Harrison’s “phone booth” tactics took Charlo by surprise and forced Jermell to dig deeper and rethink his approach as Tony was starting to come back with his own desperate aggression.

That being said, Jermell’s power was clearly the game changer this time around. By the 11th round Jermell managed to drop Tony with an empathic right hand to the dome for an 8 count then, once Tony got up, Jermell continued the attack with some heavy shots and knocked Tony down again for another 8 count. Tony got up from the second knockdown only to get swarmed by Jermell some more but by that time the referee had seen enough and pulled the plug.

As entertaining as this bout was it was a lot closer than the Judges had it. Harrison lost focus and paid the price at the end.

With this win, Jermell avenged his loss to Harrison from a year ago and now has once again reclaimed the WBC Super Welterweight Title.

Congratulations Jermell, Job well done!

Blaze