On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang”

WBO Interim-Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 Kos) and challenger Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 kos) at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, Uk, was a case of a cherry pick by Joe’s team gone wrong. Real Talk!

Joyce walked inside that squared circle with absolutely no respect for his opponent but quickly found out within minutes of the first round that he was in there with a “Big Bang” of an opponent who was gamed and willing to bang toe-to-toe with the “Juggernaut”.

Zhang stood his ground early and asserted himself quite well-hitting Joyce flush with some serious heavy shots straight to the dome and drawing first blood from his nose. It was clear to me from the first two rounds that Joyce’s team definitely drew up the wrong “game plan” cause Joyce was there boxing but looking shaky every time he got hit hard.

It was certainly unfamiliar ground for Joyce who was caught off guard at the receiving end of a game warrior. Zhang showed absolutely no fear inside that squared circle. Zhang welcomed the opportunity presented to him and broke Joyce down round by round.

Although Joyce looked more active with his hands, it was Zhang who was doing the most damage with his. Zhang’s power punches completely closed Joyce’s right eye out prompting the ring physician to check his eye in between rounds to eventually having the referee stop the bout in the sixth round.

Nobody in attendance expected this bout to unravel like this but tonight the “Juggernaut” had met his match and succumbed to the hands of the “Big Bang” Zhang.

Congratulations Zhilei Zhang on becoming the New WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion of the World. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jesse Rodriguez vs Christian Gonzalez”

Vacant WBO Flyweight Championship

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between Jesse Rodriguez (18-0, 11 Kos) and Christian Gonzalez (15-2, 5 Kos) was a very entertaining bout for all the fans in attendance at Tech Port’s Boeing Center in San Antonio.

Both combatants threw some serious leather at each other making this bout that much more intriguing but it was Rodriguez who separated himself by showing a level of boxing IQ above his opponent that couldn’t go unnoticed. The kid “BAM” is something special inside that squared circle. For a young kid, his skill set inside that squared circle was visibly growing fight by fight.

Although Jesse did not get the stoppage in this bout, he clearly dominated his opponent who realized he was severely outmatched inside that squared circle and did whatever was needed to survive the duration of the bout. Gonzalez started the bout with a good “game plan” but quickly abandoned it when the pressure was too overwhelming to overcome.

After 12 fully completed rounds, the Judges at hand had no problem calling the bout 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112 unanimously for Jesse Rodriguez.

With this convincing win, Jesse “BAM” Rodriguez picked up the vacant WBO Flyweight Championship Belt of the World and became boxing’s youngest Two-Division World Title holder.

Quite an impressive accolade for the young warrior. Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino”

Lightweight WBC Eliminator

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between former Two-Division Champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 Kos) and Shuichiro Yoshino (16-1, 12 Kos) was quite an impressive introduction that Shakur needed to announce himself to the world in the 135-Pound Division in his own backyard at the Prudential Center in Newark Newark, N.J.

The hard-hitting Yoshino did not expect to deal with this version of Stevenson inside that squared circle. It didn’t take long to notice that Shakur was the stronger combatant of the night. This version of Shakur was fiercer and aggressive with a come forward style of offense that only comes out from time to time and last night, Stevenson was on full display from all angle.

I personally expected Shakur to deal with some type of resistance but every time Yoshino attempted to press the action, he was at the receiving end of Shakur’s able ready heavy shots that eventually dropped him in the second and fourth round for a quick 8 count.

Stevenson uncharacteristically stood his ground from the jump and bullied the supposedly stronger combatant round after round and eventually breaking him down to the point where the referee saw no other option but to halt the bout saving Yoshino from any further unnecessary abuse in the sixth round.

With this very convincing win now under his belt, Shakur has officially put the Lightweight Division on notice. He personally called out the Undefeated Undisputed Lightweight Champion Devin Haney, since this win was a WBC title eliminator placing him in route to an inevitable showdown with the Champ.

Shakur is looking for that smoke and will not be denied.

Until then, congratulations Shakur on a very impressive win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Robeisy Ramirez vs Isaac Dogboe”

Vacant WBO Featherweight Title

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 Kos) and Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 Kos) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa was a one-sided showcase by the Two-Time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy. Real Talk!

Dogboe came in fit, ready as usual and gamed to throwdown but was met with a superior opponent with exceptional skills who managed to negate every attempt thrown at him. Ramirez was visibly the better skilled athlete inside that squared circle who always seemed one step ahead at all times.

Even when Dogboe would have a slim moment of success Ramirez would simply outwork him and secure the rounds. Dogboe did his best and tried to assert himself at every opportunity but Ramirez’s slick footwork and accurate punches kept Dogboe looking desperate and confused as the rounds progressed.

In the championship rounds Dogboe continued to press the action but to no avail and managed to get dropped in the 12th round for a quick 8 count clearly handing the round to Ramirez.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 119-110, 118-109 and 117-110 unanimously for Robeisy Ramirez.

Robeisy, who walked inside that squared circle with the aura of a Champion, successfully completed the task at hand to become the New WBO Featherweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Robeisy on an exceptional performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 Kos) and Jermaine Franklin (21-2, 14 Kos) was a much-needed reception that AJ required to have in his own backyard at the 02 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK to uplift his spirit. Real Talk!

Everyone in attendance and me included expected to see AJ dispatch of his opponent in a very quick and destructive fashion but instead we got to see Anthony display a little of what he’s been working with alongside his new trainer Derrick James.

The detractors are going to be going for AJ’s head for not taking Jermaine out before the last bell but let’s keep it real AJ is on his third head trainer change and needed to execute the “game plan” at hand and build from there.

I personally would have appreciated seeing AJ being a little more aggressive in this bout but Franklin was not some chump who was inside that squared circle to lay down without a fight. Franklin did his best and stood up going toe to toe with the hulking AJ for 12 full rounds.

Franklin showed AJ no respect inside that squared circle but lacked the power to deter Anthony from having his way with his own stiff and heavy jab alongside some serious power combination shots as the rounds progressed. Had AJ sat on his punches with a little more aggression I believe he could have collected his 23rd knockout. Real talk!

At the completion of this bout, the Judges at hand scored it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 unanimously for Anthony Joshua. Although we didn’t get to see a destructive performance by Anthony, he did what was necessary to secure a much-needed win under his belt.

My personal opinion after watching this bout is that with Derrick James having more time with Joshua, I expect to see a much more improved and imposing Anthony in his next bout.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

A very intriguing matchup has officially been announced. Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (29-0, 15 Kos) will once again be defending his hard-earned hardware against the highly rated Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-2, 11 Kos) on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

This is a bout that Devin has been calling for since way back to 2019 but to no avail; however, now that he is the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World, the call for the matchup has miraculously been answered.

Lomachenko’s personal goal is to become the Undisputed lightweight Champion of the World but in order to achieve this, he will need to defeat the young King presently reigning at the top of the 135-Pound Division and pry away all the jewels from Devin.

This will be a formidable task for Lomachenko. Devin has improved dramatically over the years and has grown in strength and leveled up skill wise. Devin’s confidence is at an all-time high right now and being an Undefeated Undisputed Champion brings out an aura of invincibility that he plans on keeping and he will not be denied a victory on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Both combatants are highly skilled and both have strength and drawbacks that can be exploited by one another with the right “game plan”. I expect a high-level chess match come fight night when both warriors grace the inside of the squared circle and battle it out for the Undisputed Crown of the Lightweight Division.

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant”

WBC Interim Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Showtime/PBC Pay-Per-View Main Event between WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 Kos) and Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 Kos) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas was definitely a bout that lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

This bout was a strategic affair that unfolded with both combatants working in their respective “game plan” right from the jump. The boxer Caleb vs the puncher in David.

Both combatants stepped their game up on the night. Caleb, who insisted on a bigger ring, utilized every inch of it by boxing beautifully in the first half of the bout. His movement and speed made it more difficult for David to pin him down and assert himself offensively but throughout the early rounds of this bout you could see the pressure Benavidez was applying would eventually hit the mark.

Benavidez is a patient warrior who clearly believes in his ability to cut off the ring on any tough opponent who thinks they can continuously avoid the inevitable onslaught that he brings inside that squared circle.

David is a hunter inside that squared circle and his opponent his prey. By the 8th round his prey was visibly tiring and losing steam as the round progressed. That being said, Benavidez’s heavy punches were finding their mark at a higher clip and noticeably affecting Plant who tried his best to withstand the onslaught.

With Plant progressively weakening in the later rounds and continuously looking hurt after every hard shot, Caleb surprisingly refused to succumb to the assault and continued to fight back all the way to the final bell of the 12th round.

That being said, I tip my “B” to Caleb’s resiliency inside that squared circle. Although David had clearly taken over the second half of the bout in a dominant fashion, Caleb willed himself in a tough battle and finished on his feet when the beatdown was visibly at his doorstep. Dude is a lot tougher than he looks, hands down!

After 12 full exciting rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 unanimously for David Benavidez.

Although “The Mexican Monster” did not close the show in his traditional knockout fashion, he dominated a tougher than expected top Super Middleweight combatant and still retained his WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title, keeping that door open to a possible showdown in the near future with the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 Kos).

Until then, congratulations David on another great and dominant performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia”

Legacy Clash

The youngins are coming. This highly anticipated matchup is finally here. Two of the best in the World of Boxing in three Division World Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (28-0, 26 Kos) and Ryan “King Ryan” Garcia (23-0, 19 Kos) have officially agreed to meet at a catchweight of 136 pounds on Saturday April 22, 2023, on Showtime PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

From enjoying both press conferences from New York to LA, it’s clear them two warriors are both ready for that smoke. Real Talk! There’s been a lot of tough talk from both sides and predictions of a guaranteed knockout by both combatants. There are no belts on the line but their undefeated records and the possibility of claiming the Face of Boxing.

The heat is definitely brewing whenever them two are in the same vicinity of one another. Ryan is feeling himself and projecting some serious confidence at the task at hand while Gervonta has yet to show anything different other than his usual never bothered persona.

Both combatants clearly carry some serious ammunition in their hands, but it might take more than power to get the job done on that night. Both respective corners will have to produce a serious “game plan” to offset the opposition. Ryan, being the much bigger and longer opponent, possesses a considerable advantage, but “Tank” has always been at a disadvantage in the past, but his boxing IQ and boxing skills have always been the original equalizer aside from his high ko percentage bailing him out.

Gervonta’s small stature compared to Ryan’s is a hot topic that can’t go unnoticed but skill for skill, Gervonta has the goods to get the job done regardless of the obstacle ahead and is more proven at this point in his career. It will be up to “King Ryan” to fulfill his destiny of knocking “Tank” off the food chain when push comes to shove when the two combatants meet on Saturday night April 22, 2023, on Showtime PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Regardless of the outcome I expect nothing but fireworks come fight night. Hands Down!

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara”

WBA Super World Featherweight challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBA Super Featherweight Champion Leigh Wood (26-3, 16 Kos) and Mauricio Lara (26-2-1, 19 Kos) was an entertaining bout that had the fans in attendance on their feet at the Nottingham Arena, Nottingham.

The homegrown Nottingham warrior was well prepared for this bout and proceeded to execute their respective “game plan” as the rounds progressed. I was impressed by Leigh for boxing intelligently and not shying away from Lara who I thought started slower than expected but still kept applying nonstop pressure.

Both combatants stayed true to themselves by standing their ground and exchanging some serious leather back and forth making the bout that much more intriguing as the rounds progressed.

Although I personally felt like Leigh was winning the majority of the rounds, exchanging blow for blow with Lara may not have been the best way to tackle this particular opponent.

Mauricio is known to being a tough competitor with sneaky power that can be unleashed unexpectedly if not careful.

That being said, with a competitive seventh round nearing completion Lara was able to connect and drop Leigh with a devastating well placed left hook on the chin for a quick 8 count that saw Wood rise up on his shaky legs convincing the Referee that he was still able to continue. He visibly looked out on his feet which then hastily prompted Leigh’s trainer to throw in the towel to save his fighter from absorbing any further punishment.

As upset as Leigh was with his cornerman stopping the bout, the right decision was made, Leigh was in no condition to continue.

I tip my “B” hat to Leigh Wood for taking this bout as a voluntary defense. You stepped up and took on a tough contender in your first title defense but fell short – there is no shame in your game for trying to prove the naysayers wrong.

As for Mauricio Lara, congratulations are in order. You walked into enemy territory, and silenced the crowd and snatched the belt from the Champion and are now being crowned the new WBA Super World Featherweight Champion of the World.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Amanda Serrano vs Erika Cruz”

Undisputed Featherweight Champion

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event showdown between Unified IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano (44-2-1, 30 Kos) and WBA Super Featherweight Champion Erika Cruz (15-2, 3 Kos) brought the building down at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater with an electrifying performance by both combatants. Real Talk!

These two warriors made the Main Event worth every penny earned that night. Them two Champions knew exactly what was at stake and wasted no time asserting themselves right from the first bell.

Heavy bombs were being dropped from both combatants standing toe to toe and tightly knit with neither opponent showing signs of backing off. However, Amanda was slicker with her movements – boxing and dodging avoiding the onslaught coming her way.

With both combatants exchanging leather in the phone booth style a clash of heads occurred in the third round causing a deep cut on the forehead of Erika but still did not deter her from continuing to drop bombs at every opportunity

Amanda looked good and strong as the rounds progressed. She boxed and moved beautifully while keeping busy with her hands and landing some serious leather. That said Erika’s own shots did get through and eventually cut Amanda on the forehead making the bout that more interesting.

In the championship rounds Amanda showed her superiority and special skill set by out landing and outworking Erika to the punch. Erika showed crazy toughness, refusing to let the blood dripping in her eyes deter her from the task at hand.

After 10 fully contested rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 unanimously for Amanda Serrano.

With this win Amanda collected the WBA Super Featherweight Belt from Erika and retained her IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Championship Titles to now being crowned the first man or woman from Puerto Rico to become Undisputed IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion of the World. Now that’s “The Real Deal”.

Congratulations Amanda on this historical achievement – well-deserved.

Blaze