On The Watch “It’s All About Manny Pacquiao vs Adrien Broner”

WBA Welterweight Challenge

It’s official, the “living legend” Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 Kos) will be defending his WBA (regular) Welterweight Title against Adrien Broner (33-3-1 24 Kos) Saturday January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Arena.

This bout right here has the potential of being a blockbuster if both combatants show up and perform to the best of their abilities come fight night. Real Talk!

Aside from the WBA belt being on the line there is a lot at stake here for both combatants. A win here for Pacquiao would silence his naysayers and prove to the boxing community that the “Pacman” still got it and still has more to add to his legacy.

As for AB a win against a living active legend like Paquiao would bring him right back up into the mix with the rest of the top Welterweights. This is the type of bout that AB needs to bring the best out of him. The big stage, the glitter, the lights and a convincing win could just be what he needs to get him back focus on his career 100%.

That being said, we can’t front on Pacquiao. His last demolition of Lucas Matthysse four months ago showed us that “Pacman” still got the goods and the skills to hang with the best of them young or old. It will be up to Broner to show him a “Problem” that he can’t solve inside that squared circle come Saturday night January 19, 2019, live on Showtime PPV in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Arena.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Errol Spence Jr. vs Mikey Garcia”

IBF Welterweight Challenge

Ask and you shall receive. It’s now officially been announced; the highly questionable match up between IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr. (24-0, 21 Kos) and WBC Lightweight Champion Mikey Garcia (39-0, 30 Kos) is scheduled to take place on March 16, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Mikey is a proven and established warrior who’s held World Titles at Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight and Super Lightweight. With this challenge ahead, he is now looking to claim a Title in his fifth weight class Division by attempting to dethrone IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr.

Mikey has been calling for this fight for a minute now and the call has finally been answered. To me this is a tough task considering Mikey will be going up two weight Divisions to take on Errol. Real Talk! I personally rate Mikey as pound-for-pound one of the best within his primary weight class in this era hands down but taking on the “Boogie Man” of the Welterweight Division is a challenge beyond belief.

The weight difference between the two combatants is a major factor. Mikey won’t just be dealing with a heavier Dude but also one that carries crack with every punch he throws. I know that styles make fights and that Mikey is technically sound and strong within his own right but the size and power that Errol walks with might just be too much for Mikey inside that squared circle.

That being said, if Mikey were to pull off the unthinkable and give Spence his first loss, he would be joining a prestigious circle of the likes of Sugar Ray Lenard, Tommy Hearns, Oscar de la Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. who’ve all won World Titles in five different weight classes. Not bad company if you ask me.

On paper and amongst the boxing community, Spence looks like a clear winner. It will be up to Garcia to prove all the naysayers and doubters wrong come fight night. Will the little man beat the bigger guy?

Tune in Saturday night March 16, 2019 on FOX pay-per-view and witness possibly the most intriguing bout of the New Year.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tony Bellew”

Undisputed Cruiserweight Championship Challenge

Tonight, at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, Oleksandr Usyk (16-0, 12 Kos) still remained unbeaten and Undisputed Cruiserweight King after demolishing a very worthy opponent in Tony Bellew (30-3-1, 20Kos).

Tony came out of the gate aggressive and was looking to land heavy punches to the body every chance he got, but the crafty Champion Usyk kept it real cool and level headed round by round. In the early rounds Tony was establishing himself as the stronger fighter between the two but as the rounds wore on, Usyk started to raise his punch output and started landing some effective jabs that bothered Bellew’s offence.

Tony was doing a good job trying to box with the better boxer but by the eighth round Bellew was visibly looking tired on his feet and Usyk simply jumped on him and battered him with two heavy left-hand shots that connected perfectly to knock him out for the count.

Tonight, Tony stepped his game up and gave it a good run but as the saying goes there are levels to this boxing sh*t and Usyk proved it once again that he’s one notch above Bellew in that category and rightfully Undisputed Cruiserweight King because of it.

That being said, Usyk will now be eyeing the Heavyweight Division as his next big challenge. The year 2019 will be a new chapter for one of the fastest rising stars in the “Boxing Game” to date but until then, enjoy all your great achievements, you deserve it Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Jacobs vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko”

IBF Middleweight Title

Last night, on HBO at the Madison Square Garden in New York, Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 Kos) once again became Middleweight Champion by defeating a very worthy opponent in Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-1, 10 Kos) for the vacant IBF Belt.

This was by far his toughest opponent since his last bout with Gennady Golovkin.
Jacobs came out the gate early by dropping Sergiy in the first round and establishing himself from that point on. Sergiy, a familiar sparring partner bounced back and composed himself and made the fight as competitive as expected. Sergiy maintained an aggressive approach round by round but Jacobs’ experience and slick boxing made it very difficult for Sergiy to land any real significant punches all night. In my eyes Jacobs’ ring generalship combine with precise and accurate punches was what separated both warriors in a very tight bout.

Jacobs fought a brilliant fight against a very determined adversary who laid it all on the line. It was a very technical bout but the more seasoned Jacobs executed the game plan at hand to perfection to secure the victory when it counted under the bright lights.

Sergiy proved to masses in attendance that he belonged amongst the top of the Middleweight Division and can definitely bounce back from this defeat. He needed this fight just as much as Jacobs.

With this win and the IBF Middleweight Title in his possession, Jacobs has good options ahead for himself; a rematch against “GGG” might be on the horizon or possibly a unification bout against newly crowned WBO Middleweight Champion (if the price is right) or a date with the “King” in the Middleweight Division, Lineal Champion, IBO, WBA and WBC Title holder Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 Kos).

Until then, congratulations on a great win Daniel; you belong in the “winner’s circle”.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Demetrius Andrade vs Walter Kautondokwa”

WBO Middleweight Championship

Last night, at TD Garden in Boston, Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 Kos) was supposed to make a mandatory defense of the WBO Middleweight Title against Demetrius Andrade (26-0, 16 Kos) but due to Saunders testing positive for a banned stimulant, on the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association banned substances, BJ voluntarily gave up his WBO Middleweight Title.

With the WBO Middleweight Title now vacant, top-ranked Andrade challenged the WBO’s No. 2 contender Walter Kautondokwa (17-1, 16 Kos) last night and he did not disappoint us.

For someone who last fought a year ago, Andrade showed absolutely no signs of rust. Andrade dominated Kautondokwa from start to finish. As good as Walter’s record stood, he was simply outclassed by a top-rated Boxer of Andrade’s caliber.

Demetrius established himself early by dropping Walter’s in the opening round, the third round and twice again in the fourth round. That being said I still gotta tip my “B” hat to Kautondokwa for having a heart of a “Lion” to withstand such punishment and still stand tall for the full twelve rounds. Walter’s took this opportunity on a two-week notice and did the best he could. He showed up and proved he belonged in this Division just not quite ready for this level of competition.

In an exciting and convincing performance, Andrade is now a Three Time Two Division World Champion by picking up the vacant WBO Middleweight Title.

Congratulations Champ, now stay active and keep this momentum going.

Now on to the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Rocky Fielding”

WBA Super Middleweight Challenge

Fresh off his biggest win to date against Gennady Golovkin for the Middleweight “Supremacy”, Canelo (50-1-2, 34 Kos) has now decided to go one step higher towards the Super Middleweight Division and challenge Rocky Fielding (27-1, 15 Kos) for his WBA “Regular” Super Middleweight Title.

This will be a quick turnaround for Canelo considering he just came back from a war with “GGG” last September, but the thought of making his first appearance at the historic Madison Square Garden Saturday December 15, 2018, has motivated him to make history and to be one of the top 10 Mexican fighters to become a Three-Division World Champion.

The boxing critics will be out there voicing their displeasure on Canelo challenging WBA “Regular” Super Middleweight Champion Rocky, but truth be told this bout will not be a cake walk for Canelo. Rocky will have a great size advantage on him to go along with his height and reach.

To me, this is an intriguing fight where Canelo will definitely be out of his usual comfort zone. Alvarez is one of the best technical Pound-for-Pound boxers in the “Game” to date so Rocky will unquestionably have his hands full trying to retain his WBA “Regular” Super Middleweight belt. As it stands right now Rocky will be the underdog against Canelo. However, this bout is an immense opportunity for Rocky and if he were to pull off a major upset on the biggest stage of his career by dethroning the face of Boxing in Canelo that is, this could be a life changing moment for Fielding that could positively catapult his career to new heights.

This is uncharted territory for both combatants but the risk vs reward for both competitors makes this bout that much attractive.

Madison Square Garden Saturday night December 15, 2018 is the place to be at but you can definitely cop this bout on the DAZN streaming app.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Jose Benavidez Jr.”

WBO Welterweight Championship

Last night at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Terence Crawford (34-0,25 Kos) shut the place down in a spectacular fashion by dropping down previously unbeaten Jose Benavidez (27-1, 18 Kos) to the point of stoppage at 2:42 of round 12.

Benavidez who trashed talked his way into a bout with Crawford showed a lot of heart and durability throughout the fight but damn was I ever confused by their game plan! Benavidez taunted Crawford into a fight but didn’t seem to have a plan “B” when Crawford got into his groove and started laying combination after combination on his ass round after round.

Don’t get me wrong, I rate Benavidez as a very good fighter but last night proved that Crawford is truly levels above most competitors when they’re inside that squared circle with him, Real Talk! Terence is that silent assassin toying with his prey waiting for that right moment to put you down. Henceforth in round 12 when he administered that timely snapping uppercut that took Benavidez straight up off his feet and straight down for an 8 count which then led to a flurry of unanswered punches until the referee officially stopped the fight. Nuff Said!

Last night, Crawford showed Benavidez and us fans that he truly walks it like he talks it. He specifically told Benavidez he was going to knock him out and he delivered as promised.

With this win Terence retained his WBO Welterweight Title and once again puts the Welterweight Division on notice that he’s definitely looking for that work.

Who’s up next?

Blaze

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

WBC Heavyweight Title Challenge

It has now officially been announced. Two of the biggest Heavyweight Boxers in the game – WBC Champion Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 Kos) and Linear Champion Tyson Fury (27-0, 19 Kos) have now set a date to bump gloves on Saturday night, December 1, 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Both camps are calling this bout a “Mega Fight” but personally I just can’t see it as that considering Fury ‘s last two outings since his long 2 ½ year layoff. His two-last showings inside that squared circle were lackluster and mediocre at best versus “C” level fighters. Definitely not the type of fight one would take to get ready for a clash with the “Bronze Bomber”. This to me sounds like a move from Fury who is simply daring to be great. He’s got it in his mind that he is the Best Heavyweight in the “Game” today and is determined to prove it by taking out the hardest power puncher in the Heavyweight Division, Deontay Wilder.

Styles make fights but, in this case, we have two undefeated fighters who are sitting at 6-feet-7 for Wilder and 6-feet-9 for Fury, two very long and awkward styles that could potentially make it real ugly but very intriguing to see?

The odds are favoring the “Bronze Bomber” to knock “The Gypsy King” out cold but Fury has proven the naysayers wrong before and is determined to once again defy the odds stacked against him. Fury’s quickness and boxing skill will be on full display as long as he makes sure to stay away from Wilder’s “Alabama slammer” but that alone may not be enough for Fury to win the bout.

With their promotional 3-day press tour now in motion the trash talking will be on full display to hype up the bout. Both got mouthpieces to go on for days. There is absolutely no lack of confidence from both fighters but there can only be one winner when it’s all said and done.

Tune in on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View Saturday night December 1, 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and witness the drama unfold.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About George Groves vs Callum Smith”

World Boxing Super Series (WBSS)

Tonight, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at King Abdulla Sport City Arena, the long-awaited World Boxing Super Series Super Middleweight Tournament came to an end in an impressive fashion.

The No. 1 Seed in the Tournament George Groves WBA Super World Super Middleweight Champion (28-4, 20 Kos) succumbed to the gloves of the No 2 Seeded Callum Smith WBC Super Middleweight Diamond Champion (25-0, 18 Kos). The underdog in the betting circuit silenced all naysayers and non-believers on the biggest stage of his career.

Tonight, Callum’s approach vs George were executed perfectly. He fought a smart, technical fight all while using his height and range to his advantage. George fought well with some aggression but had a hard time figuring Callum out. Heavy blows were thrown from both combatants, at times with some very good exchanges but to my surprise Callum’s punches looked to sting just a little more than what Groves expected. Callum seemed relaxed and poised round by round unlike George who looked uncomfortable and desperate at times. By the seventh round, George got complacent and lost focus and got caught with a heavy left hand followed by a burst of punches that sent him down for the count.

It was a beautiful display by an underdog in Callum Smith who has now risen to the top and taken claim of the World Boxing Super Series Muhammad Ali Trophy, the WBA Super World Super Middleweight Championship, The Ring Magazine Belt and retained his WBC Diamond Super Middleweight Title.

With this trifecta of a night you have singlehandedly sky rocketed your position as the top “Dog” in the Super Middleweight Division. Real Talk!

Congratulations Champ for this historical achievement, you deserve it.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tony Bellew”

Undisputed Cruiserweight Championship Challenge

Tony Bellew (30-2-1, 20 Kos) has officially accepted Oleksandr Usyk’s (15-0, 11Kos) challenge and is now set to meet the unbeaten Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion on Saturday November 10, 2018 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, for the right to claim the Ring Magazine, IBF/WBA Super/WBC/WBO Titles.

Bellew , who’s been enjoying himself as of late, is coming off of two consecutive knockout wins over former two-Division World Champion David Haye. These are two wins against a proven warrior and I personally did not expect Bellew to come out on top but to my surprise he convincingly battered and conquered David Haye, who by the way was the favorite to win.

If there is one thing I learned from Bellew’s last two outings is to never underestimate him again. He has a way of defying the odds stacked against him and always finds a way to steal the win right from under your eyes. Real Talk!

Once again, Bellew is seen here as the underdog who will be facing his stiffest challenge to date in Usyk the first Boxer in History to hold all 4 major World Championships in the Cruiserweight Division.

I personally think that Bellew might be reaching a little too far with this one. To me Usyk is the total package with exceptional boxing skills that has troubled all 15 previous challengers into submission one way or another. What he may lack in the power department he well makes up in ring generalship while taking you apart for as long as the rounds continue.

That being said, Bellew is not a walk in the park opponent. I would not underestimate this man come fight night. He may not be able to outbox Usyk but he certainly carries his own proven power and has a high Boxing IQ inside that squared circle. He moves fairly well and has a very good counter punch that does demand respect.

The Undisputed Cruiserweight King will be in a tough fight cause if there’s one thing I’ve noticed about Bellew is that he’s tough as hell and will not bow down easily.

Tune in Saturday November 10, 2018 on DAZN/Sky Sports Box Office and see who will walk away with all the Crown Jewels?

Blaze