On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs William Zepeda”

WBC Lightweight Showdown

In the Co-Main Event on last night’s Ring III card, WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 Kos) silenced all the naysayers and detractors with an impressive performance when he took on heavy-headed, undefeated William Zepeda (33-1, 27 Kos) and challenged him at his own game at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City.

Everyone in the building expected Shakur, primarily known as a defensive fighter to play spoiler against an offensive machine-like Zepeda but what transpired was the complete opposite as Shakur came in this bout guns blazing. Shakur stood his ground and fought toe-to-toe with the pressure fighter and proved to be quite formidable banging back and forth with the known bully Zepeda.

Zepeda was his usual self and throwing punches in bunches but to his disbelief Shakur was right there pinpointing accurate shots right back at him at a higher-than-normal clip. It was a very competitive and entertaining bout despite what the critics in attendance were proclaiming.

Shakur was in a serious fight where the pressure was real and coming at him in an abundance of speed and pace. Shakur weathered the storm and asserted himself quite well under the nonstop pressure to the point where it was Zepeda who had to slow down his own punch output in the later rounds because Shakur showed levels above Zepeda in the later rounds of the bout.

Although Shakur is not known for having heavy hands, Zepeda had no choice but to respect what was coming at him. Shakur’s punches were precise, affective and consistent round after round.

After 12 rounds of engaging action, the Judges at hand scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 unanimously for Shakur Stevenson. Personally, I think this score card does not do William Zepeda any justice but I have no problem with Shakur walking away the winner and retaining his    WBC Lightweight Championship Title.

Well done, Champ, point taken!

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Floyd Schofield vs Tevin Farmer”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night, Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (19-0, 13 Kos) set the town for the opening night of the MVP/DAZN Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Pay-Per-View main card, with a total annihilation of the former IBF Super featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer (33-9-1, 8 Kos) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Farmer talked a good game on route to this bout and felt very confident that he could derail the kid from competing with him at this level. That being said, Schofield accepted the challenge and silenced all the naysayers when he caught Farmer dead cold and chin checked him early in the first round with a heavy right hand that dropped him to a standing 8 count. He then followed up with another right hand straight to the dome and dropped Farmer again to another standing 8 count. Farmer looked shaky on them legs this time around and prime for the taking as Schofield unleashed an unanswered three punch combination that quickly prompted the referee to stop the bout.  

Farmer has always been known to give his opponents problems whether he won or loss but, on this night, he badly underestimated his opponent and paid a hefty price that got him blitzed in one round by a young and hungry combatant looking to make a name for himself.

This was a statement bout heard around the entire lightweight Division.  Your Boy Floyd Schofield is the house and on the come up looking for all the smoke.

Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Galal Yafai vs Francisco Rodriguez Jr.”

WBC Interim World Flyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBC Interim World Champion Galal Yafi (9-1, 7 Kos) and challenger former unified WBO/IBF Minimumweight World Champion Francisco “Chichuas” Rodriguez Jr. (40-6-1, 27 Kos), surpassed all expectations when they touched gloves for a throwdown at the BP Pulse LIVE Arena, in Birmingham, England.

I don’t think Galal prepared appropriately for what transpired but Francisco seized his opportunity and brought the “HEAT” from round one and on and never looked back. Real Talk!

Francisco let his gloves go from head to body with exceptional clip and power behind every shot that had Galal on unsteady legs and confused from the jump. Normally, Galal has always been the aggressor and able to dictate the fight but this time around he was the prey trying to keep up with the heavy onslaught coming his way.

Galal was outgunned, outhustled and outmuscled from every corner. Galal attempted to stand his ground and go toe-to-toe but truth be told that was the wrong “game plan” to have considering that Francisco’s experience and durability was on a different level on the night.

Both combatants threw heavy leather at each other but the one administering the most visible damage round by round was Francisco with the way he boxed and moved with aggression clearly troubling Galai.

That being said, Galal had absolutely nothing to deter Francisco from having his way with him inside that squared circle. It was a one-sided beatdown that could have been halted but instead continued to go 12 full rounds with Galal eventually getting dropped to a standing 8 count in the final round. The Judges at hand had absolutely no issues scoring this bout 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109 unanimously for Francisco “Chichuas” Rodriguez Jr.

With this convincing victory now under his belt, Francisco is now the new WBC Interim World Champion.

Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Showdown

The first of three press conferences to kick off one of boxing’s most intriguing super fights has officially taken off last Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the announcement of the “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 Kos) defending his Undisputed Super Middleweight IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship Crown against former two Division Undisputed Champion and four Division Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 Kos) on September 13, 2025, at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Live on Netflix.

No one ever anticipated this matchup ever coming to fruition but with the boxing community talking and Terence starting to believe the “HYPE”, it took his Excellency Turki Alalshikh to bring it to reality.

Terence, fresh off winning another title, the WBA Super at the Junior Middleweight Division, will be moving up another two Divisions in pursuit of another challenge and the opportunity to dethrone the “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez and release him of his Undisputed status, becoming the new Undisputed Super Middleweight IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Champion of the World.

This is a tough task for “Bud” but truth be told, this man does not lack confidence and clearly believes that he is the one to get it done. Skill for skill them two warrior’s match up very well on paper but with Canelo being the true Super Middleweight who has been dominating the Division for quite some time as a Champion, it is very unlikely that he will lay down quietly without a tough fight.

Both Champions have a mutual respect (for now) for one another but on fight night, all will be out the window when these two combatants bump gloves inside that squared circle come Saturday night, September 13, 2025, at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Live on Netflix.

Tune in and witness the unthinkable unfold. Who will be the last man standing?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Brian Norman Jr. vs Jin Sasaki”

WBO Welterweight Showdown

Thursday morning’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Even between WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 Kos) and challenger (19-2, 17 Kos) was a statement bout heard all around the world when Norman Jr. laced up his gloves and performed to the best of his abilities at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

Although Sasaki was a good, strong and tough competitor, on this night (or morning for us) Sasaki was clearly outmatch. Norman Jr. proved from the first round on who was the dominant combatant between the two when he easily dropped Sasaki within the first 30 seconds of round one and again a minute later proving his power was legit and nothing to play with inside that squared circle.

Sasaki proceeded to withstand the one-sided onslaught for a few more rounds and attempted to stand his ground but it was clear by the way he was being bounced around from left to right around the ring that this bout wasn’t going to last the distance.

Norman Jr. was simply too big, too strong and levels above Sasaki, who had absolutely nothing to deter Norman Jr. from having his way with him inside that squared circle. The inevitable was basically unavoidable and by the fifth round Norman Jr. landed a viscous left hook to the dome heard around the World that dropped Sasaki straight down. No count was needed due to the severity of the knockout but a stretcher was a must to transport him out for safety.

Norman Jr. announced himself to the World on foreign soil with this devastating and possible knockout of the year. The welterweight Division has a serious Champion to content with Brian Norman Jr. holding that WBO Belt. Goodluck to the competition attempting to dethrone this kid.

Well Done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Richardson Hitchins vs George Kambosos Jr.”

IBF Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 Kos) and George Kambosos Jr (22-4, 10 Kos) was nothing less than a dominant performance by the champion at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The self-proclaimed “Emperor” Kambosos is a man without a Kingdom after this one-sided beatdown handed to him by Hitchins. Kambosos once again talked a good game all the way up to the fight but failed miserably at implementing any type of a “game plan” when he was stunted from the jump by Hitchins, who showed to be levels above Kambosos as the rounds progressed.

Hitchins showed Kambosos absolutely no respect as he continued to walk Kambosos down round by round with a very accurate stiff jab that laid the groundwork for the night. Other than his toughness, Kambosos had nothing to offer or deter Hitchins from having his way with him inside that squared circle.

Kambosos laboured his way through the rounds looking defeated as he was taking a beating from head to body. The inevitable was near as Kambosos was breaking down in rapid form and by the 8th round Hitchins landed a vicious left hook to the body of Kambosos that folded him up and dropped him for the count prompting the referee to stop the bout.  

It was a very impressive performance by Hitchins who looked focussed and sharp all night. Well done, Champ. Now onto the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Caleb Plant vs Jose Armando Resendiz”

Interim WBA Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s PBC/Amazon Prime Main Event between Interim WBA Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant (23-3, 14 kos) and challenger Jose Armando Resendiz (16-2, 11 Kos) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, tuned out to be another cherry pick gone wrong.

This bout was meant to be a stay busy fight with no real threat ahead for Plant but what occurred was quite surprising when the underdog Resendiz came in with the right “game plan” and asserted himself quite well and stunned the opposition.

I don’t think Plant anticipated this type of battle from the younger warrior but what he ran into was a hungry and determined combatant who brought that “HEAT” to every minute of every round. Plant showed Resendiz no respect and paid the price for it as he was in a real war of attrition last night.

Plant showed some resistance in the early rounds but seemed to lose steam and confidence as Resendiz was starting to build momentum with his offensive work rate round by round. Plant was physically the bigger combatant but the bigger puncher would have to go to Resendiz who was visibly landing the more thumping and telling punches.

After 12 hard rounds of action one Judge scored it 115-113 for Plant (suspect), while the other two Judges scored it 116-112 for Resendiz, giving him the split decision victory.

No one but Resendiz and his team anticipated this type of outcome, and for that I tip my “B” hat to him for silencing naysayers who counted them out and seizing the opportunity bestowed on him to now becoming the new Interim WBA Super Middleweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Jose Armando Resendiz. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Ramon Cardenas”

Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN+ Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Champion Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 Kos) and challenger Ramon Cardenas (26-2, 14 Kos), single handedly saved the entire heavy weekend of boxing by giving us fans the excitement that was missing throughout the weekend when these two warriors graced the inside of that squared circle at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This bout was action packed from start to finish. Both combatants were very sharp and brought the “HEAT” while exchanging some serious leather with “BOMBS” coming from both sides. Inoue’s aggressive style is very crowd pleasing but can sometimes leave openings when not careful and that is exactly what transpired when he got caught late in the second round with a counter left hook and tasted the canvas for a quick standing 8 count. He brushed himself off though while the fans in attendance erupted with “HYPE” as the action was about to blow up!

From round three, the action picked up from both combatants. I was impressed by Cardenas who stood his ground and fought toe-to-toe and asserted himself quite well and made it an entertaining bout as the rounds progressed.

That being said, a highly motivated Inoue stepped his game up and his pressure as he started to walk down his opponent while administering some heavy shots loaded with combinations. The inevitable was near as Inoue’s onslaught was becoming painfully hard for Cardenas to avoid and he eventually folded in the corner to a standing 8 count in the seventh round. The crowd once again erupted to their feet as Cardenas survived the round.

By the start of round eight the unanswered onslaught came in hot and Cardenas was pinned on the ropes absorbing some serious leather which then prompted the referee to halt the bout. Some will say that the stoppage was premature but truth be told, the end was truly inevitable as the punches were coming in at a higher clip with some serious power behind them.

With this convincing win now under his belt, Naoya Inoue retained his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Championship Titles and continues to reign supreme.

Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship

Redemption is on the horizon as an intriguing rematch has officially been announced between IBF World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 Kos), who will be looking to avenge his previous loss to Undefeated Unified IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 Kos) on Saturday night July 19, 2025, at the Wembley Stadium in London.

Dubois has worked his way back in an impressive fashion by beating highly rated Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller and completely annihilating former Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua to capture the IBF Heavyweight Title. These back-to-back wins have created a “Monster” in Daniel Dubois.

Since becoming a Champion, Dubois’ confidence has been on 100% screaming at anybody who would listen to him to bring him Oleksandr Usyk so he could right the wrong and claim Undisputed by dethroning the King of the Heavyweight Division.

A tough task if you ask me, considering Usyk has already run the gauntlet by defeating Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua (twice), Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury (twice). This man Usyk is a one-man army ready and always willing to accept any and all challenges regardless of the obstacle.

Usyk has shown us time and time again that he is levels above all competitors who dare to contest him and on Saturday night July 19, 2025, at the Wembley Stadium in London, Usyk will be looking to become a two-time Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World by beating Daniel Dubois convincingly and reclaiming his IBF World Title that Dubois has been keeping warm for him.

That being said, this version of Dubois is a Champion this time around and a highly motivated one desperately looking to put a beating on Usyk and to prove to himself and the naysayers that his time is now.

Can’t wait to see if Dubois can walk it like he talked it so tune in to DAZN on Saturday night July 19, 2025, at the Wembley Stadium in London and witness the outcome.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn”

Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s highly anticipated domestic grudge match between the sons of legends Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, IBO Middleweight Champion Chris Eubank Jr. (35-3, 25 Kos) and Conor Benn (23-1, 14 Kos) brought the house down at the sold out 65,000 plus fans who gathered in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

These two warriors did not disappoint when they both stepped foot inside that squared circle. This was a shootout from start to finish where Conor held no punches and went in straight for the kill with his aggressive style looking to pressure Chris into early submission but to no avail. Chris withstood the early onslaught and kept his composure long enough to get his own “game plan” into action.

This was a tougher fight than expected as both combatants threw nuff leather at each other round by round but Chris’ experience prevailed and carried him through the tough challenges ahead.

Conor’s aggressive style was very impressive but could not be sustained for the entire bout as Chris was able to neutralize Conor with a hard and steady active jab. The action definitely picked up as both combatants fought toe-to-toe banging on one another making it that much more entertaining as the rounds progressed, but Chris’ experience with superior opposition showed up last night as he was able to control the later rounds.

Both combatants showed fatigue but fought through it as the adrenalin of being in a sold-out stadium carried them through. Chris’ style and strategy eventually overwhelmed Conor to the point where his own aggressive nonstop output visibly caught Conor off guard as fatigue was seriously settling in on both of them but was visibly more taxing on Conor.

That said, I gotta tip my “B” hat to Conor for bringing the “HEAT” to Chris. Conor came in this bout gunz blazing and went for the kill but after 12 full competitive rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 116-112 unanimously for Chris Eubank Jr.

Real Talk! Love him or hate him Chris Eubank Jr. was the superior combatant on the night hands down. This was a tough bout but truth be told Chris’ effective punch output in the championship rounds sealed the deal in his favor in my opinion.

This was a glorified street fight inside a squared circle that definitely lived up to the “HYPE”. Congratulations are in order to both combatants for giving us a possible fight of the year candidate. Real Talk!

Blaze