On The Watch “It’s All About Abdullah Mason vs Albert Bell”

WBO World Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/TNT/DAZN Main Event was an intriguing bout as it unraveled for the hometown WBO World Lightweight Champion Abdullah Mason (21-0, 18 Kos) who had to defend his title for the first time against late replacement undefeated challenger Albert Bell (28-1, 9 Kos) at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.

Bell understood what was presented to him at the last minute and accepted the opportunity with open arms. He then proceeded to box beautifully in the first half of the bout where he visibly and effortlessly outworked the champion by being one step ahead of him in every department.

That being said, the youngin Mason never wavered. Mason stayed cool, disciplined and patiently waited for his opportunity to strike like the “Black Mamba’ and that he did when he drew first blood by damaging Bell’s nose in the eighth round.

With Bell’s nose hindering his breathing and clearly breaking his focus, the fatigue started to show as Mason starting to press the action and his punch output working over Bell as the rounds progressed.

By the championship rounds, Bell wasn’t looking himself inside that squared circle but still pushed to stand his ground while slowly being broken down. By the 12th round the fans in attendance became alive in the building and fuelled their champion who moved in on Bell and knocked him down with a barrage of punches and a well-placed body and chin shot that gave him a standing 8 count. Still visibly in pain, Bell continued only to be dropped again by another well-placed left hand to the dome. Although Bell did not show signs of quitting the referee at hand took the opportunity to wave the fight off. Unbelievable.

I understand that Bell looked deflated but stopping the bout with 45 seconds left in the round after the man fought his heart out is suspect in my eyes.

Nevertheless, Mason listened to his cornerman and proceeded to close the show and retain his WBO World Lightweight Championship Title.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis”

WBA/WBO Unified Junior Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Matchroom/Top Rank/DAZN Main Event between undefeated Unified WBA/WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Xander Zayas (23-1, 13 Kos) and former undefeated Unified Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (36-0, 32 Kos) was an entertaining showdown that brought the fans in attendance to their feet at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Jaron walked it like he talked it and stepped up to the bigger Champion and managed to drop Xander in the opening round establishing his power right from the jump. As big as Xander stood inside that squared circle, his body language was that of a man who might have been drained from a serious weight cut. His punch resistance looked compromised but nevertheless, Xander proved to be a worthy warrior by the way he stood his ground and fought fire with fire.

Xander thought he could bully Jaron with his size alone but soon found out that Jaron is the real deal inside that squared circle and his speed, power and boxing IQ are levels above him.  The “game plan” that Xander walked in with wasn’t the right one. However, he did have some moments yet fell short of capitalizing on them as he was looking weaker as the rounds progressed.

Once Jaron refocussed his energy the right way, he proceeded to put a beating on Xander by landing a hard left hand and right uppercut that dropped him to a standing 8 count in the fifth round.

The inevitable was near but Xander continued to stand his ground. He eventually succumbed to Jaron’s hands by being dropped and beaten down prompting Xander’s corner to stop the bout in the seventh round at the 1:49 mark.

This was an entertaining bout from start to finish, in which Jaron looked vulnerable at times but eventually worked his way to delivering another convincing ending. With this impressive win now under his belt, Jaron is now a two Division Champion and the new undefeated Unified WBA/WBO Junior Middleweight Champion of the world.

With Jaron now holding two of the major pieces in the Super Middleweight Division, Undisputed is his only mission. Jaron has made it clear to the other Champions in the Division that he wants them belts.

Now who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas”

WBA Bantamweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Bantamweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (24-0, 17 Kos) who moved up in weight yet again to the Bantamweight Division to challenge WBA Bantamweight Champion Antonio Vargas (19-2-1, 11 Kos) and proved once again to be levels above his opponent at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Real Talk!

Vargas came out the gate shooting on all cylinders trying to overwhelm Rodriguez but that tactic could only last for so long as Rodriguez responded by upping his own punch output alongside that pressure that usually shuts the opponent down from coming forward.

Vargas held his own and banged shot for shot but quickly found out that Rodriguez is a wizard inside that squared circle. Rodriguez landed that perfect shot and dropped Vargas with a well-placed left overhand in the fifth round that brought him to a standing 8 count. The inevitable was near.

Entering the six round Rodriguez pressed the action with only one thing in mind and delivered once again by dropping Vargas with a deadly three-punch combination that floored Vargas for the count prompting the referee to halt the bout.

It was a dominant and impressive performance that proved once again to be levels that Rodriguez keeps on climbing. With this exceptional win, Rodriguez is now a three Division Champion and the new WBA Bantamweight Champion of the World.

The sky is the limit for this kid.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki”

Cruiserweight Showdown

Today’s Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight Main Event between Chris “The Gentleman” Bilam-Smith (22-2, 14 Kos) and our own Canadian Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (21-2-1, 20 Kos) was a very entertaining bout but did not have the outcome I expected at the Bournemouth International Centre. Real Talk!

Rozicki came out the gate with his usual aggressive self, looking to take out Billam-Smith with some very heavy shots but to my surprise, Billam-Smith stayed cool and calm and stood his ground quite impressively, never waving while hammering some very good precise shots of his own.

Rozicki showed his sturdiness but was met, surprisingly, with an opponent who was smart with his approach and just as sturdy. Both combatants banged heavy on one another and stunning each other back and forth turning this bout into a straight shootout. 

Both combatants fought in the pocket with Billam-Smith getting the better out of Rozicki who got touched up with some heavy head shots due to his lack of defense that costed him dearly as the rounds progressed.

I don’t think Rozicki was expecting Billam-Smith to withstand his onslaught but Billam-Smith came in this bout with the right frame of mind and the determination and strength needed to get through this battle.

By the seventh round, Billam-Smith stepped his game up and put up a series of damaging combination punches that had Rozicki staggering but still moving forward eating nothing but clean head shots. The inevitable was near.

Due to a tougher than expected seventh round Rozicki’s, corner decided to pull their fighter from taking any further punishment. It was a brutal bout for both combatants but the right decision was definitely made.

With this very impressive win now under his belt, Chris Billam-Smith is right back into the mix in the Cruiserweight Division positioning himself for another World Title opportunity.

Well done, Chris!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford”

WBC Super Featherweight Challenge

In last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main event WBC Super Featherweight Champion O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (25-3, 12 Kos) had himself another exceptional performance when he took on highly rated challenger Raymond “Savage” Ford (18-2-1, 8 Kos) at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas.

Them two warriors came out the gate aggressively with some built up aggression banging on one another with absolutely no respect. The trash talking towards the build-up to this bout was heavy and both combatants had something to prove. While many pundits anticipated Raymond giving O’Shaquie some serious problems, it was actually O’Shaquie who pressed the action the best and showed levels above Raymond as the rounds progressed.

O’Shaquie stayed active with his hands, throwing combinations and keeping that pressure on 100% from all angles. O’Shaquie boxed intelligently and kept Raymond off beat and unable to stay consistent with his own work. Truth be told, Raymond had some moments throughout the night but not enough to capitalize on them.

O’Shaquie’s ring generalship was on point and was a key factor that helped him carry over in the championship rounds. The better work was clearly coming from O’Shaquie’s hands.

After 12 rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 118-110, 116-112 and 114-114 (suspect), resulting in a majority decision for O’Shaquie Foster.

With this convincing win under his belt, O’Shaquie retained his WBC Super Featherweight Title and called out newly crowned WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 Kos) to a showdown in either the Super Featherweight Division or the Junior Welterweight Division.

O’Shaquie is talking that talk and looking for that work with Shakur by any means necessary.

The ball is in Shakur’s court- let’s see if he wants next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli”

WBC Super Middleweight Challenge

It has officially been announced: the “Kingpin” former Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion of the World Canelo Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 Kos) will be looking to recapture his proper standing in the Super Middleweight Division by challenging our own Canadian representative, undefeated newly crowned WBC Super Middleweight Champion Christian “Solide” Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 Kos) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 12, 2026.

Mbilli has been patiently waiting for his opportunity and now feels the stars have aligned perfectly to his favor to hand the “Kingpin” yet another loss onto his record. Mbilli is anticipating that his speed, power and punch output will be detrimental to Canelo, resulting in Canelo to sustaining a constant aggressive attack by his hands. Mbilli feels confident that he will be the kryptonite to Canelo come fight night.

That being said, Canelo stated at the press conference that “even if he was 50 years old Mbilli couldn’t beat him”. Now that’s a strong statement that Canelo will have to carry out but the mentality in which Canelo carries himself with is of a man who is 100 percent certain, willing and capable of getting the job done by any means necessary with this level of opposition across from him.

Nevertheless, Mbilli is not to be overlooked. Mbilli is relentless with his approach and with the right “game plan” could very well spoil Canelo if he’s not well prepared for what is to come.

I personally think this is an intriguing matchup that will bring out the best in both warriors. On paper and career-wise, Canelo is the superior combatant but come fight night Mbilli could bring that “HEAT” with the right “game plan” that could turn the tides his way. The excitement is real so tune in Saturday September 12, 2026, live on DAZN from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven”

WBC Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN “Glory in Giza” Main Event between Unified IBF/WBA/WBC/ Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion of the World Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 Kos) and former Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion of the World Rico Verhoeven (1-1, 1 Ko), surpassed my expectation when both combatants bumped gloves at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

At the first bell you could see Usyk approaching this bout as a light night’s work for a hefty pay but as the rounds quickly progressed Usyk realized he was in a real fight with a strong warrior who had an old school style that was aggressive, awkward and defensively minded that was clearly efficient and hard to deter.

Truth be told, Verhoeven was winning rounds and had Usyk back peddling and confused by what was transpiring inside that squared circle. This novice boxer Verhoeven was putting in work and beating on Usyk the way none of his previous opponents could ever do to him in 24 fights.

This wasn’t the usual Usyk we’re used to seeing. This version of Usyk looked a little tired at times and more flat footed than usual but nevertheless still had some moments and made them count when the opportunity presented itself.

 That being said, regardless of how the Judges wanted to play it, going into the eleventh round I had Verhoeven ahead and Usyk needing a knockout to win this bout and with 20 seconds left in the round Usyk went into “BEAST MODE” and threw a well-placed uppercut that dropped Verhoeven to a standing 8 count. Clearly hurt and tired, Verhoeven rose back up but was met with a barrage of punches missing and connecting that prompted the referee to halt the fight seconds before the bell sounded.

I personally think the referee ruined this bout by not giving Verhoeven the chance to see the 12th and final round. The momentum was on Usyk’s side and Verhoeven was hurt but we will never know the true outcome of this bout had Verhoeven been given the opportunity to continue.

Nevertheless, I tip my “B” hat to Verhoeven for standing his ground and going toe-to-toe with the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Controversy aside, Usyk retained his WBC Heavyweight Title and is still King of the Heavyweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez”

Heavyweight Showdown

In last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN “Glory in Giza” IBF Heavyweight Eliminator, the highly touted undefeated American Heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. (14-1, 12 Kos) had himself a rude awakening when he stepped foot inside that squared circle opposite of Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (26-1, 19 Kos) at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Following his setback loss to Agit Kabayel in May of 2024, many pundits had written Sanchez off as a potential Heavyweight Champion but this Warrior stayed true to himself and went back to the lab to get ready for the next opportunity and when this bout was offered, he made sure to make it count.

Torrez had high hopes and envisioned having another dominant performance with his hand being raised when all was said and done but what transpired was the complete opposite. Torrez came out the gate gunz blazing pressing the action while Sanchez remained disciplined, calculative and accurate with his punch selection, surprisingly and firmly standing his ground with the aggressor.  

By the second round, “The Cuban Flash” went straight into attack mode and with barely 55 seconds into the round, Sanchez connected with a deadly well-placed right uppercut that flattened Torrez straight onto the canvas. Torrez managed to beat the referee’s count but eventually crumpled back onto the floor which then prompted the referee to halt the bout.

It was a dominant and impressive performance by “The Cuban Flash” which now places him back into contention, vying at an opportunity to challenge the King of the Heavyweight Division Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 Kos).

Until then, congratulations Sanchez. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois”

WBO Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/DAZN highly anticipated Main Event Heavyweight showdown between undefeated WBO Heavyweight Champion Fabio Wardley (20-1-1, 19 Kos) and former IBF Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (23-3- 22 Kos) did not disappoint with the performance that these warriors brought to the stage inside that squared circle.

From the first bell Wardley wasted absolutely no time in asserting himself and his power by dropping Dubois to a standing 8 count right from the jump and continued his destructive approach well into the third round by once again dropping Dubois to a standing 8 count where Dubois was looking shaky but not yet defeated.

Confidence was building on Wardley’s side but Dubois was also building confidence and never wavered under duress and asserted himself quite well, rebuilding his own momentum by fighting under control and the leadership of his cornerman.

Surprisingly, both combatants continued to fight toe-to-toe landing heavy damaging shots on one another round by round and creating a frenzy inside the building not knowing when it could all be over by the way these two warriors were going at it inside that squared circle.

This was a battle of attrition where your condition and resistance were being tested at all times. Although Dubois was the combatant who tasted the floor twice inside that squared circle, it was   Wardley who actually looked depleted and tired as the rounds progressed.

Dubois looked fresher in the later rounds hammering powerful heavy shots after heavy shots gaining some serious traction with his pressure round by round. Wardley showed us a sturdy chin and an even stronger will to survive as the rounds were clearly slipping away from him.

With Wardley’s nose damaged and one eye swollen shut, the inevitable was forthcoming as Dubois was breaking Wardley down with every punch landed. By the eleventh round, the one-sided punishment continued to the point that the referee had seen enough and stepped in to halt the bout to save Wardley from any further injury.

This was by far one of the best Heavyweight shootouts on British soil. Both warriors earned each other’s respect but there could only be one clear winner on the night and that is the new WBO Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois.

Congratulations Daniel on becoming a two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Morrell vs Zak Chelli”

Light Heavyweight Showdown

In tonight’s Light Heavyweight shootout at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, David Morrell (12-2, 9 Kos) got himself a stay busy fight with late replacement opponent Zak Chelli (17-3-1, 9 Kos) but unfortunately found out the hard way that playing with your food for too long can be detrimental to your health inside that squared circle. Real Talk! 

Morrell, the superior combatant, came out the gate aggressively and in control dictating the action from every corner but Chelli surprisingly never wavered and continued to press the action despite appearing to be trailing on the card. Chelli showed resilience and durability while fighting his way back into the bout.

In my personal opinion, Morrell looked too comfortable coasting through the rounds looking dominant but not pressing the action enough to close the show like everyone expected him to do. In doing so, confidence was building up on Chelli’s side where he believed in himself and continued to assert himself by pressing the action and crowding Morrell with his own offensive barrages showing effect in the later rounds.

Chelli started to put his punches together and landing some damaging shots proving slowly wearing Morrell down as his punch output and defensive stance were looking shaky and finally managing to hurt Morrell in the ninth round.

With damage being done in the ninth round, Chelli went in for the kill in the tenth round and proceeded to land a barrage of clean unanswered heavy shots forcing the referee to halt the bout at the 2:24 mark of the round.

This is a devastating loss for Morrell who was attempting to regain traction in the Light Heavyweight Division but it was a very good victory for Chelli who may have dramatically changed his situation financially and his standing in the Light Heavyweight Division regarding future opportunities.

Well done, Zak, you’ve earned this one the hard way.

Blaze