On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event between WBO Champion Terence Crawford (38-0, 29 Kos) and Shawn Porter (31-4-1, 17 Kos) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena, was a statement-type performance by the Champion that definitely lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

Everybody in the building knew what Porter was going to bring inside that squared circle but nobody knew how Crawford was going to deal with it. Porter brought the heat straight from round one and on and didn’t stop applying pressure making it a real fight. The “game plan” looked simple on Porter’s side but he wasn’t dealing with an average-type of fighter in Crawford.

The key for Crawford was to not get caught up in Porter’s “game plan” but to settle down and execute his own by being patient and sticking to his exceptional boxing skills. He could not get caught stuck exchanging leather for leather letting himself open at times giving unnecessary opportunities which he did, giving Porter successful rounds.

The back and forth both combatants were dishing out was exciting and definitely crowd pleasing to the fans in attendance.

That said, as the rounds were piling up, I could sense Crawford needed to do something spectacular to slow down the momentum Porter had going for himself at that point. Crawford needed to remind the Boxing World why he was on the Pound-for-Pound list.

In the 10th round, Crawford caught Porter with a well-placed short left to the dome that sat him down for a quick 8 count. Porter, who looked surprised, bounced right back up on his feet but the inevitable was looming over Porter’s head. Porter proceeded to go at Crawford with aggression only to be met with a heavy two-piece combo that severely rocked a still concussed and frustrated Porter to the floor for second time. Although Porter managed to beat the 10 count, Shawn’s Dad, Kenny Porter had seen enough and waved the referee to stop the bout. Just like that Crawford put an end to “Showtime” Shawn Porter by TKO in the 10th round.

This was the type of a performance that Terence needed to silence all the naysayers that doubted his greatness inside that squared circle. Porter brought the “heat” and asserted himself quite well but Terence showed to have the equalizer to shut the show down.

This was by far the most noteworthy and hardest combatant to date in Terence’s career and he prevailed in an impressive fashion.

Congratulations Terence on retaining your WBO Welterweight Championship. You truly are one of the Pound-for-Pound greats in the game today.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Demetrius Andrade vs Jason Quigley”

WBO Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade (31-0, 19 Kos) and Jason Quigley (19-2, 14 Kos) at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, was a short but impressive night for the Champion.

Andrade handled his WBO mandatory challenger like the professional Champion that he is, easily dismantling Jason in two rounds by dropping him once in round 1 and twice in round two with a barrage of punches prompting the referee to stop the unanswered onslaught from administering any further damage.

That being said, with no disrespect to Jason who earned his way to a mandatory position, he clearly did not belong with Andrade inside that squared circle. Jason is a good solid well-rounded fighter but levels below the A+ cerebral assassin that Demetrius is.

Peeps keep complaining about Andrade’s lack of competition but the Dude is always out here calling for ALL THE SMOKE with the other Champions in the Division with no one answering his call.

With this statement win, Demetrius retained his WBO Middleweight Title and defended it for the fifth time. Being one of the most avoided Champions in Boxing can be a frustrating feeling but your Boy Andrade handles it like a “G”, a true professional inside that squared circle.

Keep stacking up them wins Demetrius and the so-called elite fighters out there will have to see you soon.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs Gabriel Rosado”

WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Championship

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 Kos) and Gabriel Rosado (26-14-1, 15 Kos) at the Honda Center, Anaheim, CA, did not lack excitement. Real Talk!

Them two warriors fought their hearts out inside that squared circle from start to finish. Nonstop action coming from both sides with heavy leather being thrown with bad intentions.

Fight by fight you can see the improvements Munguia has been making and last night all was on display. His defence was always questionable but noticeably improved in my eyes. His durability and the crazy punch output with the combinations and his heavy hands, is what separates him inside that squared circle. This Kid is something special and definitely has a crowd-pleasing style to keep you on the edge of your seat.

That being said, Gabe ain’t no walk in the park for anybody inside that squared circle and last night Gabe put that impressive pressure style of fighting on Munguia round after round, determined to make his presence felt inside that squared circle. Gabe did a hell of a job and showed his toughness with his own durability as well. Gabe dished it just as much as he was taking.

The only drawback for Gabe was that he needed to be a tad busier cause the Kid Munguia had them punch combinations coming in bunches whenever Gabe hit him with a good one, which clearly swayed the Judges.

After 12 full rounds of nonstop action, the Judges scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111 all unanimously for Jaime Munguia. I don’t have a problem with the winner but this type of score card is disrespectful. Win or lose Gabe made this bout a lot closer than what these Judges saw, HANDS DOWN!

Munguia got tested last night in probably his biggest fight to date. With this win he now becomes the new WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Champion, giving him a clear path to WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade or WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo. Given these two options, Munguia is still hoping for a chance at IBF Middleweight Champion Gennady Golovkin.

Regardless of the path Jaime decides to take on, anyone of these three Champions will guaranty an exciting bout.

Until then, congratulations on your win Jaime.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship

History was made at last night’s Showtime PPV Main Event from the MGM Grand Garden when Pound-for-Pound “Kingpin” Unified Super WBA/WBC/WBO and Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 Kos) defeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant (21-1, 12 Kos) to become the first ever Undisputed Middleweight Champion in the four-belt era. Unbelievable!

It was a cerebral type of performance by Canelo that required patience round by round. Caleb was a formidable opponent with exceptional ring IQ inside that squared circle that needed to be broken down before fully engaging.

Caleb made things interestingly difficult at first with a busy jab, boxing and moving never staying stationary long enough to prevent Canelo from landing anything too damaging at first. It was the right “game plan” to use against Canelo but it was one that required absolutely no room for any slip-up and to stay switched on round after round.

As expected, Canelo’s calculated pressure with some timely power punches visibly started to slow Caleb down in the later rounds. Canelo could sense Caleb mentally starting to show signs of breaking down and the “end game” was only a matter of time.

That being said, by the 11th round the inevitable happened when Canelo connected heavily on his chin and dropped Caleb for an 8 count that saw Caleb get up staggering across the ring hurt but still wanting to continue when the referee asked him. Canelo then went into “Beast Mode” and ferociously attacked Caleb with shots to the head and neck that dramatically knocked him down for the count.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and Caleb Plant’s performance last night proved to me and the boxing world that he belongs at the top and earned Canelo’s respect. There is absolutely no shame in your game if you fall short to the “Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez.

With this historical victory, Canelo now becomes the first Mexican combatant and the first Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion to hold the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO and the Ring Magazine Belt concurrently.

Congratulation Canelo on becoming one of the six male combatants to ever capture the prestigious accomplishment of being Undisputed Champion. You have successfully completed your goal.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Mikaela Mayer vs Maiva Hamadouche”

Junior Lightweight IBF/WBO Unification Championship

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event between WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Mikaela Mayer (16-0, 5 Kos) and IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Maiva Hamadouche (22-2, 18 Kos) at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas was a perfect display of what two of the best female boxers can produce when matched perfectly.

The undefeated Champion Mikaela showed us a different aspect of her boxing game when she elected to bang toe to toe with the always ready known banger Maiva, inside that squared circle. I was quite surprised and impressed to see that Mikaela stood her ground and asserted herself quite well in a tough battle with the shorter but ferocious Maiva.

Maiva came out the gate real aggressive and pressed the action from the jump. Maiva did her best to neutralize Mikaela’s reach but Mikaela’s patience and ring IQ played dividends when she opted to fight fire with fire disrupting Miava’s “game plan”.

This bout was nonstop action with heavy leather being thrown from round 1 to 10 with either combatant letting one another room to breathe. Although both combatants, threw an abundance of punches, it was Mikaela who seemed to land the more telling body to head punches as the rounds progressed.

That being said, after 10 full rounds of action, the Judges scored it 100-90, 99-91, 98-92 unanimously for Mikaela Mayer.

I personally felt that the score card was a lot closer than what they had but I have no dispute with the winner. This bout was by far one of the best fights for the year 2021.

Mikaela fought hard and dug deep for this one and overcame a worthy Champion in Maiva.

Congratulations Mikaela on becoming the New Junior Lightweight IBF/WBO Champion of the World.

Blaze

On the Watch ” It’s All About Jaron Ennis vs Thomas Dulorme”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s SHOWTIME Co Main Event between Jaron Ennis (28-0, 26 Kos) and Thomas Dulorme (25-6-1, 16 Kos) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena was a highlight reel for the one they call “Boots” that only lasted one minute and 49 seconds. Real Talk!

For the boxing fans who haven’t yet noticed, Jaron is not to play with inside that squared circle.

It was a quick night at the office for Jaron when he walked inside that squared circle and completely annihilated his opponent by dropping him twice for the count inside the first round with a devastating right hook and straight left hand that stunned Thomas severely on his back which prompted the referee to stop the bout.

Thomas talked that talk and was supposedly the one to give Jaron that tough test he’s been looking for but judging from this outcome, your Boy Ennis had a completely different take on how he personally wanted things to unfold.

With 18 consecutive stoppages on deck, you Boy Ennis is still putting the 147-Pound Division on heavy notice. The Champions and the top 5 Welterweights in the Division can’t keep ignoring “Boots” cause your Boy is out here making steady statements every time inside that squared circle.

His time is definitely now. Who wants next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jamel Herring vs Shakur Stevenson”

WBO Junior Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta between WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Jamel Herring (23-3, 11 Kos) and Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 Kos) became a showcase type bout for the youngin dubbed the “Fearless”.

Shakur had seek and destroy written all over his face right from jump. Shakur showed Jamel absolutely no respect and continued to apply nonstop pressure with quick and strong punches from head to body.

Whatever “game plan” Jamel’s team came up with was none-existing for the simple fact that Shakur was just too strong and too fast for Jamel to content with. No disrespect to Jamel but the unusual stay in the pocket style that Shakur applied for this bout completely took Jamel by surprise and made him gun shy and unable to counterpunch when he needed to.

That being said, the “Fearless” did just that and showed absolutely no fear towards his opponent and proceeded to completely dismantle the older but more experienced Champion piece by piece.

By the 10th round the inevitable was seconds away. Jamel looked tired and beaten sitting there taking punishment without fighting back. The referee had seen enough and jumped in to stop the unanswered onslaught on Jamel.

This was the type of performance Shakur needed to bring inside that squared circle to silence the critics who doubted him. He fought toe to toe and banged on his opponent in a very dominant fashion.

With this impressive win over Jamel, Shakur now becomes a two weight Division Champion and the New WBO Junior Lightweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Shakur on your latest achievement – now on to a unification bout.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oscar Rivas vs Ryan Rozicki”

Vacant WBC Brigerweight Championship

Last nights’ WBC inaugural Brigerweight Championship bout Main Event between Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (28-1, 19 Kos) and Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (13-1, 13 Kos) at the Olympia Theatre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada was nothing short of pure entertainment at its finest. Real Talk!

On this historical night both combatants put up one hell of a show from start to finish. Rozicki who was previously campaigning as a Cruserweight moved up in weight to challenge Rivas who moved down from Heavyweight to now campaigning in this New Division of the Brigerweight. The size difference was quite visible as Rozicki weighed in at 203 and Rivas a hulking 222 on fight night.

Judging by the size difference between the two warriors, I didn’t think this bout was about to go down as entertaining as it was at first site but boy was I wrong.

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Roziki cause this Boy came to fight and did not disappoint with his performance. Dude came in bangin on Rivas and going toe to toe “phone booth” style round after round.

Rivas clearly had the more telling punches whenever they were exchanging but you could clearly see that Rivas wasn’t expecting Roziki to be so strong and resilient inside that squared circle.

Both combatants made it a fight inside that squared circle. Whenever Roziki looked like he was about to fade he would find another boost of energy out of nowhere and answer Rivas right back.

Rivas, who looked quite gassed early in the bout, had to dig deep to maintain the slight edge he had at the midpoint of the bout. Roziki wouldn’t stop pressuring Rivas but Rivas’ strong jab was doing visible damage all night.

After 12 rounds of nonstop action the Judges scored it 116-111, 115-112 and 115-112 crowning Oscar Rivas as the first titlist in the WBC new Brigerweight 224-Pound Division Champion.

This Championship bout will go down in the record book with Rivas’ name attached to it as the first to don the Brigerweight Belt.

Congratulations Oscar, you earned that one hands down and stamped your name in this 18th new Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Mikey Garcia vs Sandor Martin.”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event at the Chuckchansi Park, Fresno, CA, between former 4-Division World Champion Mikey Garcia (40-2, 30 Kos) and virtually unknown EBU European Super Lightweight Champion Sandor Martin (39-2, 13 Kos) was a perfect example of a cherry pick gone wrong. Real Talk!

A lot of people lost B.I.G. last night when they expected Mikey to have an easy stay-busy fight in front of his home crowd but then soon found out that Sandor wasn’t coming to lay down without a fight.

This was by far Sandor’s biggest moment of his career and he wasn’t about to drop the ball on the biggest stage with the lights and cameras all focussed on him. Sandor and his team came up with the perfect “game plan” which he executed to a “T”, offsetting the surprised Garcia round by round boxing and counterpunching, never letting Mikey get comfortable enough inside that squared circle.

Mikey’s usual punch output connection rate was non-existent at times and he was getting countered with some heavy, precise punch combinations that kept him from settling into any type of an offensive rhythm.

Mikey, the veteran boxer that he is, was shockingly getting outboxed by Sandor who was gaining more and more confidence as the rounds were piling up. Mikey had himself a few good looks at times but not enough momentum to disrupt Sandor’s aggressive approach.

After 10 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 95-95, 97-93, 97-93 all in favor of the underdog Sandor Martin.

The right combatant won this bout hands down. Mikey simply didn’t do enough in my eyes to secure the win. Maybe the long layoff played a part in his lackluster performance but my personal opinion is that Mikey simply overlooked his opponent and paid the price inside that squared circle.

That being said, I tip my “B” hat to Sandor for sticking with the “game plan’ and pulling off one the best wins of his career to date. You touched down in the United State for the first time in your career and left a lasting impression with a great victory.

Congratulations Sandor you truly earned this one, job well done.

Blaze

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

WBC Championship Heavyweight Throwdown

Last night’s PBC/Top Rank Main Event Heavyweight Championship bout between WBC/Ring Magazine Champion Tyson Furry (31-0-1, 22 Kos) and Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 Kos) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was a proper showdown that will definitely last the test of time in the Heavyweight Division. Real Talk!

This trilogy bout lived up to the hype from start to finish. Tyson walked in as a “Spartan” and clearly silenced “The Bronze Bomber” without any dispute. Although Deontay was able detonate two heavy bombs on Tyson that dropped him in the fourth round, Deontay was not able to empty the artillery needed to keep Fury from coming forward with controlled aggression.

Deontay came out the gate with the right “game plan” but neglected to utilize it to its fullest and stick with the task at hand as the tiredness and the rounds became harder to endure as Fury maintained constant pressure on him.

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Deontay cause Dude was getting manhandled inside that squared circle but his strong heart and sheer will wouldn’t let him bow down without a fight. Deontay was on shaky legs early in the bout and took some heavy punishment while handing some of his own as well,  but the “Spartan” warrior that Tyson is proved to be the better prepared combatant on the night. Hands down!

Once again, the strongest puncher in the Heavyweight Division Deontay Wilder got broken down and dropped three times by the so called “pillow-fisted” Tyson Fury who dramatically put a stop to the bout with a devastating knockout in the 11th round. Unbelievable!

I gotta tip my “B” hat to the “Gypsy King”. This man walks it like he talks it inside that squared circle. With another convincing win over the “Bronze Bomber” Tyson successfully defended his WBC Heavyweight Championship and Ring Magazine Belt.

With Boxing Trainer SugarHill Steward in the Gypsy’s corner, it’s going to be hard pressed to remove the WBC Heavyweight Championship and Ring Magazine Belt from this man’s possession. Good luck to the competition.

Until then, congratulations Tyson on another historical type performance. You are truly the man to beat in the Heavyweight Division.

Blaze