On The Watch “It’s All About Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas”

WBC Heavyweight Eliminator

In a competitive WBC Heavyweight Eliminator bout Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, UK, Dillian Whyte “The Body Snatcher” (26-1, 18 Kos) picked himself up from a ninth-round knockdown to secure the win against Canadian-based Colombian Oscar Rivas (26-1, 18 Kos).

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Dillian for the way he handled himself inside that squared circle last night. This bout was a tougher fight than he expected but Whyte did not disappoint us.

Rivas came out of the gate strong but Whyte’s patience and steady jab were key and definitely effective throughout the rounds. Whyte executed the “game plan” to a “T” and managed to control the rounds when the going got tough. Whyte used his height and reach effectively and consistently which made it difficult for Rivas to establish any type of steady attack.

Rivas gave it a good showing and definitely made it competitive, but when all the smoked cleared the right man won the night. The Judges scored it 115-112, 115-112 and 116-111. No objections here.

With this win, Whyte now becomes the WBC Interim Heavyweight Champion with an assurance of an opportunity at the reigning full WBC Champion Deontay Wilder (41-0-1 40 Kos).

Now it’s debatable when we’ll actually see Whyte share the ring with Deontay but until then keep pilling them wins Whyte and maintaining that strong deserving mandatory position.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Demetrius Andrade vs Maciej Sulecki”

WBO Middleweight Title Challenge

In his first hometown fight last Saturday night in DAZN’s main event at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island, Providence, WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade (28-0 17 Kos) had himself a showcase type performance in shutting out highly ranked Maciej Sulecki (28-2, 11 Kos).

It was clear from the first round that there are levels to this Boxing sh*t and Sulecki found that out quick when he got dropped for an 8 count. No disrespect to Sulecki who was a worthy opponent but, on that night, Sulecki had met his match. I expected to see a competitive bout between them two but as the rounds wore on Andrade’s superior skills were on full display and turned the bout into a glorified sparring session for his home crowd to witness live.

Sulecki seemed out of place and had absolutely no answer to Andrade’s slick offensive attack and defensive skills. Truth be told this was the first time I saw Sulecki get outboxed and literally shutout for a full twelve rounds of action. No other opponent has ever had this much success against him until that night. All three of the Judges scored it 120-107 for Andrade.

That being said, Andrade is a serious problem in the Middleweight Division and to any competitors game enough to step into that squared circle with him. I personally think we still haven’t seen the best of Andrade yet. But if the Unified “Kingpin” Champion of the Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) were ever to accept his challenge maybe then we would see Andrade’s full arsenal on display and finally get the best fighting the best for Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World. Just a thought.

Until then Demetrius keep piling up them wins, your call will be answered soon.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr.”

World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

Expect the unexpected. The Heavyweight Division has once again taken a major twist.
Late replacement and substantial underdog, Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-1, 22 Kos) shook the world last night at the Madison Square Garden in New York City to a sell out crowd of 20,201 fans, when he defeated the No. 1 Unified IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 Kos) by TKO. Unbelievable!!

What started off slow quickly heated up in the third round when both fighters exchanged knock downs with AJ receiving the worst of it by hitting the mat twice to Ruiz’s heavy combination punches. Joshua landed the first knock down and immediately went in for the kill but ended up being careless and got caught paying the price.

Joshua’s approach was off from the jump. He did not impose his height and reach and fought too tentatively as the rounds wore on. To me AJ looked sluggish and slow while Ruiz showed patience with a sense of fearlessness while stalking AJ.

The underdog Ruiz had suddenly turned the odds around in his favour. Andy’s confidence was growing and his presence was being felt inside that squared circle. The pressure was working AJ and his energy was quickly dissipating, and in the seventh round, Anthony tasted the mat two more times in dramatic fashion, eventually leading to the referee calling to stop the fight. Just like that, Anthony Joshua got broken down.

I tip my “B” hat to Andy Ruiz Jr. He came in there with absolutely nothing to lose and walked away dethroning the No.1 Heavyweight in the game, Anthony Joshua, to now become History’s first Mexican descent Unified IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Champion of the world.

Congratulations Andy, your dreams have now become a reality. Enjoy the fruits of you labour, you deserve it!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Demetrius Andrade vs Maciej Sulecki”

WBO Middleweight challenge

WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade (27-0, 17 Kos) will be looking to defend his title for the second time in his first ever hometown show at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island, Providence against Maciej Sulecki (28-1, 14 Kos) on Saturday June 29, 2019.

This bout should be an exciting one considering Sulecki is a gamer type fighter that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Maciej is a strong and skillful fighter who doesn’t back down when the going gets tough inside that squared circle. This being his first crack at a world title, I’m expecting Sulecki to come prepared with the gloves blazing for a war.

That being said, Andrade is the truth inside that squared circle. Tough, gifted, well-schooled with a very high boxing IQ. He is an undefeated two-time two-weight division World Champion who is presently holding the WBO Middleweight Title. Real Talk! Andrade has high aspirations of one day unifying the Middleweight Division. Before any of that can happen, he’s got to dispatch of his mandatory challenger Maciej Sulecki in a convincing fashion in order to possibly entice Canelo Alvarez the Unified “Kingpin“ Champion of the Middleweight Division to a fight for the last remaining piece of the puzzle, his WBO Middleweight Belt.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and on Saturday July 29, 2019 at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island, Providence, with home court advantage, I’m expecting Andrade to put on a skillful display inside that squared circle and walk away satisfying his fans and family with the win and the WBO Belt still in his possession.

Tune in live on DAZN and Sky Sports for a thrilling night of Boxing.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Manny Pacquiao vs Keith Thurman”

WBA Super Welterweight Showdown

Ask and you shall receive. It has officially been announced. WBA Super World Welterweight Champion Keith Thurman (29-0, 22 Kos) will have an opportunity and the privilege of sharing the squared circle with the Living Legend WBA “regular” Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 Kos) on Saturday night July 20th at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

As it stands right now, Pacquiao is perceived as the underdog going into this bout, however, fresh off two back to back convincing wins, it’s clear to me that the “Pac Man” still has what it takes to upset the odds. Aside from their 10 years difference in age, I think they both match up pretty well. Both carry speed and legitimate power and know how and when to use it.

Personally, I think some major factors to look at is going to be their conditioning, the ring generalship and their Boxing IQ come fight night. Pacquiao, being the veteran has 30 years of experience on his side. Manny has seen it all by this point and fought the best in the game. Unlike Keith who is younger, undefeated but has been hit with some serious injuries that has slowed down his activity and momentum to date that could play an issue in their bout.

That being said, if the “One Time” Keith Thurman shows up on Saturday night July 20th, then your Boy “Pac Man” will be in for his toughest fight since the Mayweather Jr. bout. Real Talk!

Manny is out to prove the naysayers that he still got the “juice” and that he can still box with the best of them in any era. Taking down the undefeated Champion Keith Thurman would prove just that, he’s still the man to beat in the 147-pound Division.

I’m anticipating this bout to be action packed from start to finish. Keith been asking for crack at a “Legend” from time and now it’s here. Keith cannot drop the ball on this one. In order for him to regain his No. 1 Spot in the Welterweight Division he needs to win “Big” and in a convincing manner.

Keith already started the heavy trash talking out the gate at the press conference but we all know that talk is cheap if you don’t back it up 100 % come fight night. So, you know I’ll be tuning in Saturday night July 20th on Fox Sport pay-per-view.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs Shefat Isufi”

Vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title

In his first meaningful fight since David Lemieux, Billy Joe Saunders (28-0, 13 Kos) moved up to the Super-Middleweight Division and challenge No. 1 rated WBO challenger Shefat Isufi (27-4-2, 20 Kos) for the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title at the Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

On paper this bout looked like an even match considering BJS was coming up in weight from the Middleweight Division. However, as the bout progressed, it quickly became clear that we were witnessing another BJS vs David Lemieux type performance inside that squared circle.

For someone who didn’t have an active outing in 2018, BJS was sharp as a whistle-bobbing and weaving, slipping and dipping and popshots at will. BJS controlled every round. There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and it was evident last night that Isufi did not belong in that squared circle with BJS.

No disrespect to Isufi, Dude showed up to fight and gave it a good try even had a good round six in his favour but not enough to sway the Judges. All three Judges scored the fight 120-108, 117-111 and 118-110 in favour of Billy joe Saunders. Nuff said!

With this dominant performance by Billy Joe Saunders, the former WBO Middleweight Champion now becomes a two-weight Champion by capturing the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title.

Billy Joe is a problem in either weight Division. I can’t wait to see what becomes of his latest acquisition.

Congratulations on your latest achievement Billy.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Deontay Wilder vs Dominic Breazeale”

WBC Heavyweight Challenge

Last night’s Main Event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York was another highlight reel for the WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (41-0-1, 40 Kos). Real Talk!

The “Bronze Bomber” handled his mandatory challenger Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (20-2, 18 Kos) in a demoralizing fashion with a ruthless one-punch knockout at 2:17 of the very first round. The sh*t was straight out of a video game. Night Night!

This sh*t had way more hype in the build-up of the fight then the actual bout. Breazeale talked a good game and spoke of strategies and all that but, real talk, when that bell rung, Breazeale’s “Game Plan” went out the ring once Deontay connected with that straight right hand. Lights out!

I was hoping to see some rounds out of Breazeale and see what Deontay had been working on but clearly, Wilder had a different agenda and called it an early night. (Dude had an after party he needed to attend and he had to make sure he was clean ).

With a destructive performance like this, Deontay reaffirms his stance as the hardest hitting Heavyweight in the game today. He may not be the most polished Heavyweight, but one thing is for sure, his power in both hands, is real.

Until then, congratulations on your win Champ. I can’t wait to see who signs up for that contract next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jarrett Hurd vs Julian Williams”

IBF/IBO/WBA Junior Middleweight Challenge

The Junior Middleweight Division is “Blazing Hot” right now. Last night’s Main Event at the EagleBank Arena, in Fairfax, Virginia, between IBF/IBO/WBA Super Junior Middleweight Champion Jarrett Hurd (23-1, 16 Kos) and Julian Williams (27-1-1, 16 Kos) was a thing of beauty. Real Talk!

J-Rock who was a 5-1 underdog from the jump, walked into the Champion’s own turf (game 7 style) and claimed all the gold by defeating Hurd by unanimous decision with the scores off 116-111, 115-112 and 115-112. Unbelievable!

J-Rock’s performance was on point from the jump. He executed their “game plan” to a “T”. Julian was calm, focused and definitely well prepared physically and mentally. Being visibly smaller than Jarrett, Julian still had enough power nice and early to drop Hurd down for an 8 count in the second round.

To me, that was the game changing moment right there. From that point on, them two warriors entered the phone booth and exchanged some serious leather back and forth. The up close and personal style usually favours Hurd but, on this night, J-Rock had his number.

Round by round Williams stayed busy with his hands at all times. His defence was tight and making Hurd miss while still staying composed whenever Hurd did land something of significance.

Williams went toe to toe with the heavy fisted Champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd and out boxed him at his own game. Hurd took a lot of punishment last night and it cost him dearly as the rounds wore on.

Personally, I’m thinking Jarrett underestimated J-Rock’s ring generalship and in doing so succumbed to his first professional loss.

That being said, with this win, Julian is now the New IBF/IBO/WBA Super Unified Junior Middleweight Champion. A feat well deserved.

Congratulations Julian, you defied the odds and fulfilled your dreams of becoming a Champion.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Daniel Jacobs”

Middleweight Unification Challenge

Last night’s Main Event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas did not disappoint. Once again, Middleweight WBA, WBC, Ring Magazine, Lineal Champion Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) proved to his peers and the World why he is the “Kingpin” of the Middleweight Division, hands down, by defeating with a unanimous decision IBF Middleweight Champion, Daniel Jacobs (35-3, 29 Kos).

There was no controversy here last night. Both came out with their respective “game plan” and executed it as best as they could. It was a chess match from start to finish, a well thought out bout.

Canelo, the shorter fighter of the two, pressed the action and kept his hands busy with a very good jab to go along with steady body punches and a higher percentage of power shots, while Jacobs started off slow and was having a harder time asserting himself throughout the bout.

It took Jacobs a few more rounds to eventually get things going but by that time, Canelo was ahead on the cards and had already affirmed himself and knew exactly how to disrupt Jacobs’ offence.

The Kid Canelo is a serious problem inside that squared circle. If you’re going to start slow against him, you’re doomed from the jump. You have to stay on point at all times against this Kat, one slip up and he has you.

Although Jacobs was the bigger, taller fighter, Canelo’s in ring experience and boxing IQ made up for any possible disadvantage. This was a true test in every way. Two well-schooled Champions going at it on the biggest stage.

Unlike Canelo’s last bout with Gennady Golovkin, this was not a war but a skillful display of boxing at its best.

All three Judges had Canelo winning by the scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112. (No complaints from me.) Listen, had Jacobs connected more with his power shots and started early, this bout could have easily been a draw. Real Talk!

That being said, with this win Canelo now captured his third Middleweight Title. He now possesses the IBF, WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine Belts. In order to completely unify the Middleweight Division, Alvarez needs to collect the last remaining WBO Belt from Champion Demetrius Andrade. Not an easy task but definitely one well worth the challenge.

Until then, congratulations on your latest great achievement. You truly are the “Kingpin” of the Middleweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas”

Heavyweight Challenge “Last Man Standing”

It has just been officially announced that Dillian Whyte “The Body Snatcher” (25-1, 18 Kos) will be putting up his WBC No. 1 ranking on the line at the O2 Arena in London, UK on July 20, 2019, against our own undefeated Canadian-based Columbian Oscar Rivas (26-0 18 Kos).

I’m impressed with Whyte taking on this high-risk task by willingly accepting a bout against a tough undefeated Heavyweight on the come up like Rivas.

The name Oscar Rivas may not be familiar to the average boxing fan, but truth be told your “Boy” Rivas is a serious threat who has been avoided by many of the top Heavyweights in the game to date. Judging by his rankings in the WBO No. 5, WBA No. 6, IBF No. 7 and WBC No. 10, you would be foolish to take him on thinking its going to be an easy night. A win over a highly ranked opponent like Whyte would speak volumes in the Heavyweight Division and definitely make for an appealing bout between the two Heavyweight Champions Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder.

That being said, Dillian is slated to be the favorite between the two since he’s the bigger name and the one who will be fighting at home. Whyte has improved in many areas since he last fought AJ and with his steady momentum of back to back wins, Whyte will be looking to continue the streak all the way to a Championship bout in the near future.

I’m intrigued by this bout and can’t wait to see how it will unfold. There is a real potential of an upset. This might be Rivas’ coming out party on the big stage under the bright lights or just another body snatched by Dillian.

Whatever the outcome I anticipate a great bout in the making. Tune in and witness the “Last Man Standing” Saturday night July 20, 2019 at the O2 Arena in London, live on Sky SPORTS Box Office.

Blaze