On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Carlos Takam”

IBF, IBO, WBA Heavyweight Championship

Due to Kubrat Pulev’s injury sustained two weeks or so before the fight a mandatory late replacement was found in the shape and form of # 3 IBF Carlos Takam (35-4-1, 27 Kos). The Frenchman stepped in to become Joshua’s worthy challenger at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Saturday night October 28, 2017.

Having seen how tough and durable Takam is, tonight he did not disappoint me despite the referee stopping the bout in the 10th round. Going toe-to-toe with AJ is not an easy task to do and Takam showed heart and courage tonight but just didn’t have enough in the form of power or proper game plan to put AJ out.

Tonight, AJ performed beautifully by winning every round and never losing control inside that squared circle. Although AJ scored a knockdown in the fourth round, the boxing fans at ringside booed the stoppage of round 10, as they felt that AJ should have been allowed to try and finish Takam, who was still on his feet at the time but in the referee’s opinion was taking too much punishment.

I personally think it was a great fight. AJ needs rounds like these to help him build and improve on his boxing skills as a fighter. With that being said AJ successfully defended his IBF, IBO and WBA Heavyweight Titles and kept his flawless knockout record intact (20-0, 20Kos).

Congratulations Champ now on to 2018!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs David Lemieux”

WBO Middleweight Title Challenge

It’s official. We Canadian Boxing fans will have the privilege of witnessing first hand two of the world’s top Middleweights in WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders (25-0, 12 kos) and David Lemieux (38-3, 33 Kos) do battle Saturday December 16, 2017 at the Place Bell in Laval, Quebec.

I have to tip my “B” hat to Billy Joe Saunders for being real to his words and stepping his Game up with a serious competitor like David Lemieux. Agreeing to a title defense in an opponent’s backyard is proof enough for me to see that BJ is really about that life and is actually daring himself to be great.

A bout against the homegrown heavy fisted David Lemieux in Canada is a dangerous fight but one that can definitely create a certain amount of buzz within the Division. To go into someone else’s house and beat them speaks volume in this Game. REAL TALK!

Styles make fights and this one here has the potential of being a very interesting one. REAL TALK! We got BJ as the slick savvy boxer-puncher going toe-to-toe with Lemieux, a persistent banger who only knows how to move forward with hard blows and a dirty left that’s been known to cripple quite a few opponents.

There is a lot at stake here for both fighters. For BJ, a win against Lemieux would definitely make his stock rise and show the Middleweight Division that he’s not just all talk and should be taken as a major player from this point on. For Lemieux, a win against BJ would give him the status of a Two-Time World Champion, the WBO World Middleweight belt in hand and the main piece to lure a rematch against Gennady Golovkin or a title fight with Canelo Alvarez.

BJ is promising to do a lot of damage to Lemieux even to the point of beating him to a stoppage. Now I know that BJ has found himself being rejuvenated under the tutelage of trainer Dominic Ingle but damn his confidence is on 100 right now.

Listen all I know is that BJ better not underestimate Lemieux come fight night cause your Boy David is a proven warrior whose conquered some heavy hitters in the game and has the track record to prove it. Don’t be fooled by his three losses but do pay attention to his “33 Kos”. This Kat can seriously crack at any given time in that squared circle.

As the Middleweight Division is stacking up with new faces, this fight is a great opportunity for David and BJ to show the rest of the Division what level they’re on by giving us a hell of a showdown. May the best man win!

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Showtime Premier Boxing Champions”

Super Welterweight Division

Wow!!! Last night, Saturday October 14, 2017, Showtime Premier Boxing Champions gave us the fans an incredible tripleheader at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn New York. REAL TALK!
Six of the top Super Welterweights graced that squared circle and all performed stunningly on that stage.

First up was undefeated Jarrett Hurd (21-0, 15 Kos) the International Boxing Federation Titleholder who successfully defended his belt vs former World Champion Austin Trout (30-4, 17 Kos).
This bout was about a young hungry gunner climbing his way to the top of the food chain with no regard to whatsoever to any savvy proven veteran standing in his way. REAL TALK! Trout is a proven warrior and one of the best at that but your Boy Hurd was just too big and strong on that night. Austin brought his “A “ Game but was cut short by the 10th round. Hurd’s onslaught on Trout was just too much to handle.
Jarrett Hurd becomes the first fighter to beat Austin Trout by knockout or technical knockout. Congratulations on your win Champ.

In the co-feature, (which could have easily been the main event on any other night), WBC Super Welterweight Titleholder Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (30-0, 15 Kos), also successfully defended his belt in an astonishing fashion by demolishing previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (18-1, 13 Kos) in the first round. Nuff Said!
Your Boy Jermell is the truth. The kid walks it like he talks it. He once again silenced all the critics and the haters who just can’t seem to come to grip that this kid is the real deal. The 154-pound Division has a real problem on their hands and he goes by the name of Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo. Good luck to the competition. Congratulations Champ!

In the main event, WBA/IBO Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara (25-2-2, 14 Kos) successfully defended his belts by knocking down previously unbeaten Terell Gausha (20-1, 9 Kos) on the way to a 12-round unanimous decision.
Listen his fight wasn’t as exciting as Jarrett or Jermell’s previous title fights but we can’t wrong the man for making it look so easy cause he’s still the top dude in the Division. We all know that styles make fights so lets hope his next performance is up to par to a real Champs standard. Congratulations Champ.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About George Groves vs Chris Eubank Jr.”

World Boxing Super Series (WBSS)

In his first fight of the World Boxing Super Series Saturday night October 14, 2017, George Groves’ (27-3, 20 Kos) number one seed and WBA Super Middleweight Titleholder successfully defended his title by knocking out previously undefeated challenger Jamie Cox (24-1 13 Kos) in just four rounds at Wembley Arena in London, United Kingdom. Congratulations George for this emphatic statement.

To me size and experience played a major factor in this bout. Jamie Cox looked good in short spurts but definitely not long enough to do any serious damage to Groves.
Tonight George was just too strong and physical for a limited and inexperienced Jamie Cox. Maybe the stage and the moment were just too much for Cox to take in.

With this win Groves will now advance to the World Boxing Super Series Semi-Finals where a very eager fellow British countryman, IBO Super Middleweight Titleholder Chris “Next Gen” Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20 Kos) is awaiting to take his beloved WBA strap away from him.

The Semi-Finals of the World Boxing Super Series Groves vs Eubank Jr., in January or February if all goes according to plan will be a very intriguing fight considering they have past sparring history with stories for days depending on who you ask.

Styles make fights and this domestic bout between them two Kats on such a big stage is bound to be breathtaking. Eubank Jr. is the newbie in the Middleweight Division while Groves has been vacationing in the Division far longer then him. Groves is the No. 1 seed in the tournament trying to carve his name in the History books while Eubank Jr. is on a mission of attempting to take over the Division the only way he knows how with a high work rate style unmatched by his opponent.

When this bout comes into fruition it might just be the most highly anticipated matched up of the World Boxing Super Series. Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Chris Eubank Jr. vs Avni Yildirim”

World Boxing Super Series (WBSS)

Tonight, Saturday October 7, 2017, at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer in Stuttgart, Germany, Chris Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20Kos) successfully defended his IBO Super Middleweight World Title vs Avni Yildirim (16-1, 10Kos) in taking part of the quarterfinals of the Super Middleweight Division in the World Boxing Super Series.

From the jump Eubank Jr. showed Yildirim what it meant being in the ring with him. There are levels to this sh*t. Eubank Jr. came in that squared circle focused, determined and ready to put on a show.

Tonight, Chris Eubank Jr.’s performance was proof of that flawlessness when he dismantled previously undefeated Avni Yildirim with a third round knockout. REAL TALK!

With such a convincing win Chris has put the other competitors in the Super Middleweight Tournament on notice. Congratulations Champ you are one-step closer to your goal. Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Vasyl Lomachenko vs Guillermo Rigondeaux”

“History In The Making”

I can’t front on Boxing this year 2017, the Boxing Gods have given us entertaining bouts after bouts every month to date. REAL TALK!

One of the highly anticipated clashes of the year has finally been set. WBO Super Featherweight Titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko (9-1-0 7 KOs) and WBA Super Bantamweight Titleholder Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-0-0 11KOs) are set to collide in that squared circle on Saturday December 9, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Rigondeaux will be moving up two weight Divisions to 130-pounds to challenge Lomachenko for his WBO Super Featherweight Belt. This is another history fight in the making considering that this will be the first time a pair of two-time Olympic Gold-Medal winners will be sharing that squared circle together.

Their amateur careers speak volumes. Lomachenko was (396-1) as an amateur and Rigondeaux was (463-12) as an amateur. To top it all off, they also won two World Amateur Championship apiece-Nuff said! To me they are arguably two of the greatest utmost skilled amateur boxers in history to ever lace up some gloves.

Regardless of the weight class, these two combatants are ready to match it up skill for skill and deliver us an unforgettable high-octane performance.

So far, Lomachenko is seen by many experts in the Boxing community as the favourite in this match up but personally, I don’t think peeps should be sleeping and overlooking Rigondeaux on what he brings to the table. The way Rigodeaux moves and thinks in that squared circle is like a cerebral assassin. Will Lomachenko’s “Matrix” style be enough to penetrate Rigondeaux’s impenetrable style of defense? Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The Heavyweight Division”

The Heavyweight Division is getting some serious attention with a really good look this Fall, if no injuries occur all three Titleholders are booked to return to the ring.

First up is WBO Champion Joseph Parker (23-0 18Kos) who will be defending his title against his mandatory challenger Hughie Fury (20-0 10Kos) this Saturday September 23, 2017 at the Manchester Arena in United Kingdom.

Unified World Titleholder IBO/WBA/IBF Anthony Joshua (19-0 19Kos) will be defending his titles against the mandatory challenger under the IBF, Kubrat Pulev (25-1 13Kos) October 28, 2017 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

WBC Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (38-0, 37Kos) will be facing the unbeaten “Boogieman” of the Division Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (27-0, 23 Kos) on Saturday November 4, 2017 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York.

The “Top Dog” in the Heavyweight Division hands down is your Boy Anthony Joshua since he is holding three of the five belts in the Division and defeated Future Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko. Something any of the other current Titleholders don’t have on their Resume.

That being said out of the three upcoming Heavyweight defenses, I’m very intrigue to see how the Wilder/Ortiz on November 4, 2017 plays out. In my eyes belt or no belt the Number 2 spot in the Heavyweight Division lays between them two. However, if you were to ask either of them they will tell you that they are the No. 1 Dude in the Division. The hype is real when you mention them two Kats. Both carry a lot of power in that ring. Ortiz’s amateur career is impressive. He has seen a lot and done a lot. As for Deontay he came in the game a little later but still managed to win a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics representing the USA as an amateur.

This is a critical fight for both men, as the winner will definitely change the landscape of the Heavyweight Division and position themselves to a unification fight with either remaining Champions. This is a 50/50 fight where youth vs experience will be crucial to a victory aside from the power of course. Your Thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Andre “S.O.G.” Ward”

Andre Ward Retiring From Boxing

Today we see another future Hall of Famer hang his Boxing Gloves up. Andre “S.O.G.” Ward is one of very few Professional Boxers who get to walk away while still being on the top of his Game. His accolades in this Boxing Game speak for himself. 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Two-Division World Champion, Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion, Reigning Pound-For Pound WBA, WBO, IBF and still undefeated (32-0 16Kos). Nuff said.

Haters are going to talk that shit about homey but REAL TALK, I’m happy to see Ward walk away from Boxing on his own terms. Andre is part of that exceptional breed of disciplined Boxers who took the Game seriously and stayed on path throughout his entire career and looking back at it now, all that hard work and dedication to the sport he loved paid off.

Even if his career ends earlier than anyone projected, “Hate him or love him” peeps can’t front on what Ward brought to the Boxing World. You will be missed. Thank you Andre “S.O.G.” Ward for blessing us with your greatness.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin”

“Middleweight World Supremacy Battle To A Split Draw”

First off I would like to congratulate both Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2 34KOs) and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (37-0-1 33KOs) for giving us a hell of a fight. This Middleweight Battle was as good as expected. Both fighters stepped up to the plate and performed at a high level. “GGG” stayed true to himself as he was the aggressor chasing down the “Pitbull” Canelo whom surprised me with his constant movements around the ring. Which was very unusual for him.

Both fighters were dropping “bombs” on each other. Golovkin had his jab game on point on that night but Canelo had his combination and counterpunches to answer the jab. I have to give the “ring generalship” to Golovkin cause he seemed to cut off the ring well and pretty much controlled the fight. Canelo established himself as a true Middleweight in withstanding Golovkin’s onslaught like a worrier. Your Boy’s chin is serious. REAL TALK! He gave his fair share to Golovkin, whether “GGG” respected his power it’s another question.

For 12 full rounds of action we saw two of the Pound-For-Pound best Middleweights the game had to offer duke it out in that squared circle. The result, a split draw?

Golovkin will retain his IBF, IBO, WBC and WBA Middleweight Titles while Canelo still remains The Ring Magazine and lineal Middleweight Champion since no one has officially beaten him for taking the WBC, Ring and lineal Middleweight Titles from Miguel Cotto back in November 2015.

That being said the unexpected but not too surprising “Drama Show” came in the hands of one particular Judge Adalaide Byrd scored the closely contested fight 118-110 for Alvarez? Judge Dave Moretti scored it 115-113 for Golovkin and Judge Don Trella scored it even, 114-114.

Truth be told this fight was a damn close one no disputing that but to call it 118-110, you have just tainted this “Battle of Middleweight Supremacy”. Now the question remains, will a rematch be the next chapter or will we be left to ponder what could have been? Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

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

Reigning WBO Middleweight Champion

Tonight at London’s Copper Box Arena, Billy Joe Saunders (25-0, 12Kos) successfully retained his WBO Middleweight Title in beating Willie Monroe Jr. (21-3, 6 Kos) with a twelve round unanimous decision. REAL TALK!

Billy looked calm, in control and never looking rattled or bothered by Willie. It was a boxing chess match in winch Billy’s game plan was executed to perfection. I was quite disappointed to see how weak Monroe performed tonight knowing what was at stake if he won. Willie’s offence was stagnating and lackadaisical. As the visiting fighter your game needs to be on point from the “jump”. You can’t afford to sit back and play the waiting game. He may have looked the part tonight but he did not show up to win in that squared circle.

With that being said I have to congratulate Billy Joe Saunders for his convincing win. Billy showed up in shape and performed well for someone who hadn’t fought since December 2016. His improved stamina was very noticeable considering how he competed impressively in every round. With this win I’m eager to see how he follows it up. Will the winner of the Canelo/Golovkin call him out? Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze