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

On The Watch “It’s All About Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez”

WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Showdown

Last night’s PBC/PPV Prime Video Main Event surpassed my expectations when WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-2, 30 Kos) took on WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster “Benavidez (32-0, 26 Kos) and completely got dominated by the younger man who was moving up in weight to do battle at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

I anticipated these two warriors who are very familiar with one another after sparing over 100 rounds or so in the past to give us a mind-blowing boxing match but what transpired was the complete opposite.

 Ramirez came out the gate with a “game plan” in mind and proceeded to execute it as instructed in the first few rounds but soon found out that once Benavidez started to let his hands go that this “Mexican Monster” was the real deal under them bright lights.

Ramirez quickly threw the original “game plan” out the ring as Benavidez started to pick up the pace and forced Ramirez into a shootout. As I’ve mentioned in the past going toe-to-toe with “The Mexican Monster” while not being properly prepared is a death trap which Ramirez fell right into. Not being able to match Benavidez punch for punch is detrimental to your health.  

The hand speed in which Benavidez comes at you with has a tendency of breaking most combatants down and it did just that in the final seconds of the fourth round when Benavidez unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches to the head of Ramirez, dropping him to a standing 8 count.

Ramirez either refused or ignored his cornerman’s instructions but the inevitable was near. Ramirez wrongfully continued to stand toe-to-toe and attempted to bang with Benavidez but was visibly breaking down, unable to stand his ground as Benavidez’s speed and clip rate was too much to contend with and eventually succumbed to a deadly three-piece punch combination that closed the show in the sixth round prompting the referee to halt the bout.

To simply put it, Ramirez was outgunned on every level. It was a very impressive and dominate performance by “The Mexican Monster” who now enters History as the first combatant to win Titles at Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and now Cruiserweight.

With Benavidez now holding the WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Titles and the WBC Light Heavyweight Title, his options are quite interesting. I can’t wait to see which avenue he decides to tackle next.

Until then, congratulations David.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani”

Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown

Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (33-0, 27 Kos) continued his dominant performance in the Junior Featherweight Division when he took on another heavy fisted challenger coming up in weight in undefeated former IBF/WBC Bantamweight Champion Junto “Big Bang” Nakatani (32-1, 24 Kos) this morning at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan before 55,000 fans in attendance.

In the first few rounds, Nakatani uncharacteristically fought with extreme caution by not letting his lethal hands go unlike Inoue who pressed the action by being the aggressor and letting his hands go, keeping the rounds interesting. That being said, Nakatani eventually started to let his hands go in stretches but still with much caution to match up with Inoue who kept a steady pace with accurate punch output.

As expected, both combatants were strategic in their approach but to me it was Inoue who looked more like the risk taker inside that squared circle. The action picked up as the rounds progressed when both warriors looked to do some damage to one another whenever the opportunity presented itself. As much as Inoue’s speed was a problem so was Nakatani’s jab whenever it landed but the real difference, was Inoue’s power punches which were visibly more effective then Nakatani’s.

Nevertheless, this was a highly executed bout where both combatants had their moments which made it that much more interesting. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 unanimously for Naoya Inoue.

This was a challenging bout for Inoue where he had to adjust on the fly as his opponent was quite skilled and evasive in his own way. Inoue still found a way to prevail and retain his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Championship crown.

Well done, Naoya. Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov”

Heavyweight Showdown

In tonight’s Netflix Main Event we saw the return of Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (35-2-1, 24 Kos) get some much-needed rounds in when he took on our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov (21-3, 19 Kos) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

I expected our towering and strong Arslanbek to at least put up a good fight but what transpired was very disappointing to say the least. Our so called “Lion” showed up as a “cub” who refused to listen to the instructions that his cornerman was dishing out to help direct him within the rounds.

Arslanbek lunged, grabbed and smothered his own work with very little skill displayed making the bout very ugly but perfect for Tyson who hadn’t graced the inside of a ring in 16 months, to stick his jab and move in and out all night.

Arslanbek, who looked the part, gassed out early in the rounds whereas Tyson, who didn’t look in peak physical shape, had the stamina and the punch output to keep Arslanbek confused and powerless inside that squared circle.

Arslanbek, who has power of his own, couldn’t land anything damaging enough to slow down “The Gypsy King” from having his way with him. Aside for showing a strong will to survive, Arslanbek got hit with uppercuts, body shots and jabs round after round.

This was a one-sided beatdown where Arslanbek pretty much showed up to collect a cheque and nothing else. After 12 labouring rounds of unrepresentative action the Judges at hand scored it 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 unanimously for the Tyson Fury.

Although Tyson clearly won this bout, this was by no means a performance to be screaming out “The Gypsy King” is back. Who’s next?

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis”

Welterweight Showdown

In tonight’s Netflix Co-Main Event Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (25-1, 14 Kos) brought up former Junior Welterweight Champion Regis Prograis (30-4, 24 Kos) to a catchweight of 150 lbs and attempted to have a showcase type of a night but was met with some stiff resistance when he graced the inside of that squared circle at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Conor and many boxing pundits expected a quick night of action but instead received a tougher outing than expected. Surprisingly, Regis stood his ground and fought fire with fire with the bigger combatant and managed to bloody Conor up but you could clearly see that Regis punch output and legs were a thing of the past as the rounds progressed.

Conor was his aggressive self, trying to pressure Regis as much as he could but his timing was off and at times creating openings for Regis who did his best to capitalize whenever the opportunity presented itself. Regis had some moments but not enough to sway the rounds his way. 

As the rounds continued to progress Conor pushed the pace as best he could but failed to get Regis out of there as his stubbornness refused to let himself get bullied by the bigger man inside that squared circle.

Fatigue, low punch output and simply not having any legs is what eventually did Regis in as Conor was able to close the later rounds with more damage and authority to separate himself from Regis.

Nevertheless, after 10 rounds of action all three Judges scored it 98-92 unanimously for Conor Benn.

Although Conor clearly won this bout, this performance raised a lot of unanswered questions.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze