On The Watch “It’s All About David Benavidez vs Ronald Ellis”

WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator

It was another strong showing for David Benavidez (24-0, 21 Kos) at last night’s Showtime Boxing Main Event card at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut when he battled Ronald Ellis (18-2-2, 12 Kos) in a WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator.

Ellis made it fight for as long as he could but soon found out that Benavidez is a serious problem inside that squared circle. Outside looking in, many competitors think that Benavidez is nothing special with no real special effects to his style, but once that bell rings, they find out really quickly that the kid is strong and very effective with his non-stop offence. Benavidez won’t dazzle you with his footwork but he will cut the ring on you and apply that pressure from round one until the end of the fight.

That being said, Ellis fell victim to the same circumstances when it was painfully evident that the punishment Ellis was absorbing round after round would eventually wear him down. Ellis boxed and moved well and definitely made it interesting but the heavy combinations and deadly body and head shots that Benavidez was administering on Ellis forced the referee to ultimately jump in and stop the bout in the 11th round.

Benavidez is a top 168-Pounder who can no longer be avoided by any of the other top contenders in the Division. With this win Benavidez is one step closer at reclaiming his WBC Super Middleweight Title he lost on the scale by not making weight in the last fight.

Benavidez is now officially the new mandatory challenger to Canelo Alvarez’s WBC Super Middleweight Title. With that in mind Benavidez has no shortage of confidence and truly believes he’s the man who will dethrone Canelo from the No. 1 Spot.

This is an interesting bout between the two that needs to happen but with Canelo’s quest of unifying the Super Middleweight Division this year, we may have to wait to see this intriguing clash come into fruition.

Until then keep piling up the wins David.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Miguel Berchelt vs Oscar Valdez”

WBC Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event bout between WBC Super Featherweight Champion Miguel Berchelt (37-2, 34 Kos) and Oscar Valdez (29-0, 23 Kos) at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, did not disappoint.

Oscar, the underdog of the night executed their “game plan” to a “T” from start to finish. Oscar boxed and moved beautifully with a steady and accurate jab that prevented Miguel from effectively settling into his own offence.

Miguel who was visibly the bigger guy inside that squared circle, was unable to assert himself physically to use his well-known power. The “game plan” that Oscar was displaying all night was clearly keeping Miguel overthinking his options inside that squared circle which cost him dearly in the fourth round when Oscar connected with a vicious left hook that sent Miguel staggering off the ropes. This prompted the referee to give Miguel a standing 8 count since the ropes saved him from falling out of the ring.

It was a technical matchup where the more elusive fighter in Valdez, was gaining more confidence as the rounds wore on. Although Miguel did have some moments inside that squared circle, it was clear that Oscar’s power shots were breaking Miguel down round by round.

In the 9th round Oscar connected with a nasty three-punch combination that sent Miguel straight down for his second knockdown of the night but Miguel’s resilience beat the 8 count to see the next round.

Miguel was clearly taking too much punishment and his corner contemplated stopping the bout but still sent him out there in the 10th round. Oscar saw a wounded combatant ready to be dispatched and Oscar did just that when he landed a devastating left hook that closed the show indefinitely. Miguel dropped flat on his face knocked out cold as the referee waved it off.

With this emphatic win, Oscar now becomes the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion of the world.

Job well done Oscar. You defied all odds and proved the naysayers wrong while putting the 130-pound Division on notice. There’s a New Champion on deck and he goes by the name of
Oscar Valdez.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Adrien Broner vs Jovanie Santiago”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Showtime Main Event between Adrien Broner (34-4-1, 24 Kos) and Jovanie Santiago (14-1-1, 10 Kos) from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut wasn’t as eventful as I expected. Real Talk!

Broner, who hadn’t graced the inside of a squared circle in more than two years, may have looked the part last night but definitely didn’t look like the AB that I grew to appreciate throughout his career. AB still got “problems” letting his hands go.

It’s clear that things haven’t been the same for AB since his loss to Marcos Maidana which to me was a respectable loss cause AB fought his heart out that night and simply got beaten by the better man. That’s the version of AB that could still be a “Problem” to anybody stepping inside that squared circle with him.

That being said, the AB who showed up last night was a shell of the Broner I grew accustomed to seeing. Real talk! Although AB was awarded the win last night, I personally think he failed to show us the work rate that would have sealed the deal convincingly.

Broner clearly landed the harder shots throughout the bout but Santiago was visibly the more consistent with his work rate round by round. The Judges clearly didn’t appreciate Jovanie’s activity and determined aggression when they scored it 117-110, 116-111, 115-112 all in favor of Broner.

Let’s keep it real, that’s some serious suspect scoring and I’m an AB fan from time. A draw in my eyes would have been more acceptable.

Activity is key for you AB so make it happen for yourself Money! You are way too skilled to be having questionable fights like this one.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce”

Heavyweight British Throwdown

Tonight’s highly anticipated British showdown between “Dynamite” Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14 Kos) and Joe Joyce “The Juggernaut” (12-0, 11 Kos) at Church House, Westminister in London was an exciting bout from start to finish. Real talk!

Tonight, Joe silenced all the naysayers by forcing Dubois to gracefully bow down by taking a knee in the tenth round. Joe had his jab working Dubois all night and definitely made a dent in Dubois’ armour when he severely damaged and closed Dubois’ left eye shut.

Dubois came out the gate and tried to physically assert himself with his heavy punches. Normally his presence alone would have deterred his opponents but tonight Dubois was met with a formidable and durable adversary and couldn’t get by Joe’s steady and accurate jab successfully.

That said, it was a competitive and interesting bout with both warriors going at it hard but tonight the young lion met his match when fatigue and a worrisome bummed eye prevented him to continue in the 10th round and got counted out. I personally never anticipated Dubois quitting in any of his fights but only a fighter can truly know when enough is enough.

This is a major win for Joyce who was confident from the time this bout got announced. Experience, patience and a very good chin is what carried Joe over for this victory. Joe is steadily creeping up the Heavyweight ladder and now holds the British, Commonwealth and European Titles but best of all, is he now moves one step closer to a world title opportunity in 2021.

Congratulations Joe on a very convincing win. Job well done.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Jacobs vs Gabriel Rosado”

Super Middleweight Grudge Match

Last night’s DAZN and Matchroom main event between Daniel Jacobs “The Miracle Man” (37-3, 30 Kos) and Gabriel Rosado (25-13-1, 14 Kos) at the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida did not live up to the anticipated so-called grudge match up that we were all waiting for. Real Talk!

I’m a big fan of both them Dudes but real talk, neither one of them backed up their tough talk inside that squared circle. Them Dudes talked a heap of sh*t to each other to being out right disrespectful. Respect had to be earned and given so I was expecting some serious fireworks from round one but instead got two Dudes who barely threw any leather at each other.

Jacobs was treating this bout as a stay busy fight but clearly forgot the part about getting busy active wise inside that squared circle. I’m not sure if the fact that there was no crowd unmotivated him but he visibly didn’t look his usual self inside that squared circle.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and your boy Jacobs did not show any superior levels against Gabe last night. In fact, Rosado executed his “game plan” to a “T” and boxed a good fight with low output but he definitely didn’t look like someone who was not meant to be there.

Although the bout didn’t turn out the way we all expected, Gabe showed discipline and fought well enough to deserve the win or a draw in my eyes but, left in the Judges hands, two of them saw it 115-113 for Jacobs and 115-113 for Rosado. Definitely a disputable outcome.

Jacobs may have been declared the winner of this bout but if he has any aspiration of challenging any of the belt holders in the Super Middleweight Division, he needs to come in with his head in the game and with a way better “game plan” then what we saw last night cause this version of Jacobs doesn’t cut it at the top of the 168-Pound Division. Real Talk!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Kell Brook”

WBO Welterweight Title Defense

Terence Crawford (37-0, 28 Kos) silenced all the naysayers once again at last nights Main Event inside the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas when he annihilated the tough and worthy former IBF titleholder Kell Brook (39-3, 27 Kos).

It took Crawford a few rounds to get going while Kell was looking good in the early rounds with a stiff jab causing Crawford to rethink his approach. By round three Crawford had switched stance to southpaw and started moving in on Kell like he had figured out the right angles to press the action. The bout started to heat up and was looking really competitive. Kell was holding his own, moving and boxing well until the fourth round started when Crawford caught Brook slippin and connected with a powerful right hand that staggered Kell all the way to the ropes. Crawford continued administering further unanswered assault before the referee intervened to rule a knockdown on Brook and separated them for the standing 8 count.

Seeing that Brook was clearly hurt, Bud wasted no time in finishing his wounded opponent with a flurry of heavy punches that forced the referee to halt the bout at 1:14 in the round.

As good and strong as Brook was last night, Crawford made sure his own power was felt when he stopped Brook dead on his feet. With this destructive win, Terence retained his WBO Welterweight Title that he effectively defended for the fourth time.

Since entering the 147-Pound Division, Crawford has knocked out or stopped all of his opponents in convincing fashion. That being said your Boy Bud is the silent killer in the Welterweight Division. Your Boy got pop in them hands and is nothing to play with. Real Talk!

Peeps can talk all they want about who Bud fought or hasn’t fought to date, but all I want to know is Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez”

Lightweight Title Defence

In tonight’s Main Event at the SSE Arena, Wembley, London between Undisputed Lightweight IBF/WBC/WBA/WBO Champion Katie Taylor (17-0, 6 Kos) and WBA mandatory challenger Miriam Gutierrez (13-1, 5 Kos) was nothing short of a clinical display of exceptional boxing by the Champion.

Katie asserted herself from round one and never took her foot off the gas. Katie made it clear tonight that she was not in the mood to play around with her opponent. Katie punished Gutierrez with flurries of punches that stung so hard that at times Gutierrez looked puzzled and overwhelmed by Katie’s none-stop pressure.

It was clear as the rounds wore on that Gutierrez was absolutely no match for Katie. However, I got to give it up to Gutierrez for taking her punishment and not giving up on the fight even after hitting the canvas in the fourth round for a quick 8 count, Gutierrez showed a lot of heart and still managed to make it through the end.

Katie showed us tonight why she is the Queen of the Lightweight Division. Her boxing IQ is something serious and not easily matched. After 10 rounds of action the Judges scored it 100-90, 100-89 and 99-91 in favor of Taylor.

Another dominant performance by the Undisputed IBF/WBC/WBA/WBO and Ring Magazine Champion Katie Taylor.

Job well done Katie. I can’t wait to see who will step up and challenge the Queen in your next outing.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Gervonta Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz”

WBA Super Featherweight and Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Premier Boxing Champions on Showtime Pay-Per-View Main Event at the Alamodome in San Antonio between WBA Regular Lightweight Champion Gervonta Davis (24-0, 23 Kos) and WBA Super Featherweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 Kos) was an exciting bout for as long as it lasted. Real Talk!

This bout was “Blazin” from the start of the first bell. Leo looked focused and determined. Leo came out the gate and asserted himself by not shying away from Gervonta and actually boxing his way towards him. Leo was giving Gervonta some good work and looking good doing it.

However, as good as Leo was doing so was Gervonta. Tank was just as focused and definitely took this bout seriously. Gervonta showed patience while boxing beautifully with exceptional quickness to go along with the powerful shots he was throwing accurately at Santa Cruz.

As the rounds wore on you could clearly see the power shots were getting to Leo as he was more cautious and tentative with his usual output. Still, I have to tip my “B” hat to Leo for standing there and actually going toe to toe with Gervonta.

That being said, I think Leo may have been believing his own hype a little too much by the sixth round. Leo tried once again to go toe to toe with Gervonta one time too many and brutally got caught with a vicious left uppercut that landed Leo’s first ever knockout of his 14-year pro career. Leo was lights out cold with an official time of stoppage at 2:40 of the sixth round.

With this destructive performance by Gervonta, he now regains the WBA Super Featherweight Title and retains his WBA Regular Lightweight Title to now simultaneously become a two weight Division Champion.

Hate him or love him your Boy “Tank” is nothing to play with in the 130 or the 135-Pound Division hands down.

Both Divisions have some serious talented competitors waiting for their opportunity. I can’t wait to see what’s next or better yet who’s next in line for the young “Pitbull” Gervonta Davis.

Congratulations “Tank” on your latest accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Oleksandr Usyk vs Dereck Chisora”

Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Heavyweight Main Event between Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13 Kos) and Dereck Chisora (32-10, 23 Kos) at the SSE Arena at Wembley wasn’t pretty but definitely a tougher challenge this time around for Usyk.

Dereck came out the gate aggressive pouring some heavy punches that caught Usyk off guard and had him back peddling trying to figure Chisora out for the first three rounds. Dereck spent a lot of energy trying to slow Usyk down in the early rounds and actually had some success with his approach but as the rounds wore on Usyk started to box and move and connecting on Chisora with some very good accuracy.

Chisora continued to press the action as much as he could but Usyk’s style and movement was definitely giving Chisora issues that caused his output to slow down. Tonight, Usyk was unquestionably in a tough bout but was still able touch up his opponent at will.

Chisora stood his ground as much as he could but simply couldn’t keep up with the movement and the output that Usyk was using to tire him out. As the later rounds creeped up Dereck became lazy and sluggish which made it easier for Usyk to dominate the later rounds in a stronger fashion.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 117-112, 115-113, 115-113 in favor of Oleksandr Usyk.

Personally, this wasn’t Usyk’s best outing to date but for only his second fight at Heavyweight, Oleksandr has showed signs of being able to hang with the Big Boys.

With this win Oleksandr moves one step closer to a WBO mandatory showdown with IBF/IBO/WBO/WBA Super Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 Kos).

Can’t wait to see them two duke it out inside that squared circle. Until then, congratulations Oleksandr on your latest victory.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Sergey Lipinets & Custio Clayton”

Interim IBF Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s SHOWTIME Main Event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, between Sergey Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 Kos) and Custio Clayton (18-0-1, 12 Kos) was an entertaining chess match from start to finish. Real Talk!

Our own Canadian prospect Clayton, touched down on U.S. soil for the first time and asserted himself in a convincing manner in his first step up fight of his career. Clayton executed his “game plan” to a “T”, boxed and moved beautifully with a stiff jab that had Sergey’s attention all night. Clayton’s effective higher work rate kept the stalker, Sergey from ever getting into a comfortable flow but it did not stop him from working Clayton’s body attack.

Every punch thrown from Sergey was heavy with some serious bad intention when landed but due to Clayton’s tight defence and some very good movement, Sergey couldn’t connect with his usual output. Fatigue seemed to have settled down on him in the later rounds and may have cost him the outcome.

That being said, Clayton came in stronger in the later rounds and definitely stole the 12th round from Sergey in my eyes. One Judge scored it 115-113 for Clayton (as I did) but was overruled by the two Judges who scored the bout a 114-114 draw. Personally, I think that if Clayton would have pressed his offensive attack a little bit more, things could have been a lot clearer to the Judges.

Clayton showed Sergey and the 147-Pound Division that he is not to be taken lightly. Last night’s showing definitely earned him some respect to his name (Birdman voice).

This may not have been the outcome you were looking for Clayton, but one thing is for sure you did us Canadians proud last night.

Can’t wait to see what’s next for you, keep your head up Custio.

Blaze