On The Watch “It’s All About Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan”

IBF Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Top Rank/BT Sport/ESPN + Main Event was a showcase type of an event by the visiting IBF Featherweight Champion Luis Alberto Lopez (28-2, 16 Kos) who came down to defend his Championship Belt on foreign ground against challenger Michael Conlan (18-2, 9 Kos) at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The pro Conlan crowd in attendance soon found out that Lopez was not someone to be taken lightly inside that squared circle. Lopez came out the gate looking for that smoke and proceeded to press the action but Conlan stood his ground as best he could and boxed and moved and attempted to make things quite interesting at times with a very effective and active jab. However, the pressure Lopez was applying round by round was noticeably taxing on Conlan and it was only a matter of time before the inevitable occurred.

That being said, by the fifth round the heavier fisted Lopez landed a perfectly placed right uppercut straight to the chin of Conlan that dropped him lifeless to the ground for the count which then prompted Conlan’s corner to throw in the towel signalling the referee to halt the bout.

This was a statement bout for Lopez who walked it like he talked it by sticking to the script and making sure the Judges at hand were not needed by knocking out Conlan senseless and retaining his IBF Featherweight Championship.

The other Champions in the Featherweight Division need to keep a close eye on this dude as he said it loud and clear that he’s coming for all of them one by one.

Congratulations Luis Alberto Lopez on another destructive statement.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Artur Beterbiev vs Anthony Yarde”

IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Championship Showdown

Canada stand Up! Tonight’s BT Sport/ESPN + Main Event between IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 Kos) and mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 Kos) at the OVO Arena in London England, definitely lived up to the hype! Real Talk!

This bout was a competitive battle right from the jump with both combatants feeling each other out and working on their respective game plan round by round. Both warriors looked strong and fit and ready for war. To me Beterbiev came out as the aggressor unlike what Anthony predicted prior to the build-up which was very surprising. Anthony felt he would be the one dictating how the bout would unfold but things quickly changed as the rounds progressed and he eventually felt Artur’s power.

Both combatants threw leather with intention to hurt each other by visibly marking each other with some very good shots but it was Artur who seemed to me to have the more telling effect as the rounds progressed.

The home-grown fighter Anthony stood his ground and represented his country to the fullest but clearly found himself in a dog fight as the rounds advanced. Both combatants were going blow for blow administering some serious damage but as the rounds developed it was Anthony who seemed to fade with fatigue in my eyes.

Anthony boxed beautifully but the pressure Beterbiev was moving in with was definitely breaking Anthony down slowly but effectively. By the eight round, the inevitable was on the horizon and when Beterbiev connected with two heavy, well-placed right hands to the dome and dropped Anthony, the writing was already on the wall.

Although Anthony rose to his feet after the standing eight count, he looked confused and defeated but proceeded to continue absorbing further punishment from Beterbiev which then quickly prompted Anthony’s corner to halt the bout.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and although Beterbeiv was the elder of the two combatants it was his durability and his experience that carried him over this tough battle.

With this win Artur maintained his perfect knockout ratio along with his IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Titles patiently waiting for the opportunity at undisputed with WBA Super Light heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 Kos).

Congratulations Artur on another destructive performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker”

WBO Interim Heavyweight Title

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotion Main Event between Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 Kos) and former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker (30-3, 21 Kos) was a hell of a dominating performance by the “Juggernaut” at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Tonight, Joe stayed true to his moniker “The Juggernaut” and ran through the durable opponent Parker with steady offense that couldn’t be deterred. Joe’s offensive pressure was too much for Parker to contain round by round. I’m not sure what kind of “game plan” Parker’s team had in mind but judging by what transpired inside that squared circle, Parker’s “game plan” was non-existent by the way he was getting manhandled by Joe inside that squared circle.

Parker’s approach was all wrong, thinking he could stand there going toe to toe with a wrecking ball like Joe Joyce was the absolute means to his demise. Joe Joyce was simply too big, too strong and simply too durable to be handled in such a crazy manner.

Parker showed some courage in attempting to go blow for blow with “The Juggernaut” but being at the receiving end of a steady heavy accurate jab, has a funny way of ending wrong for the opponent getting abused round by round.

It was quite evident that as the rounds progressed Parker’s confidence was starting to dwindle round by round. Parker had absolutely no answer to Joe’s steady onslaught and after being battered and beaten up from start to finish, Parker eventually succumbed to a heavy left hook to the dome that put him down for the count prompting the referee to halt the bout in the 11th round.

Joe’s jab was key at breaking down Parker from top to bottom. The “Juggernaut” has once again proven to be a serious problem to the Heavyweight Division by easily dismantling a worthy top 5 Heavyweight with such ease.

With this convincing win Joe has now picked up the WBO Interim Heavyweight Title, positioning himself to a clear path to a date with the Undefeated Unified IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksander Usyk (20-0, 13 kos).

Congratulations Joe, you are definitely on the right path to the Heavyweight Mountain top.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte”

WBC Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotion/Top Rank Main Event between WBC/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 Kos) and Mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte (28-3, 19 Kos) at the Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, UK, with an attendance of 94,000 fans definitely lived up to the hype. Hands Down!

The “Gypsy King” defended his Championship belts for the second time and did it in style by boxing circles around “The Body Snatcher” Dillian who had absolutely no proper “game plan” in keeping Tyson from having his way inside that squared circle.

It was a boxing clinic by Tyson who kept Dillian at bay with a very effective jab, enabling Dillian from landing anything significant enough to deter Tyson from pressing the action from round one and on.

Tyson looked good from the jump boxing and moving at ease inside that squared circle. Dillian tried numerous times to land that heavy left hand but with no avail constantly missing and swinging at air whenever Tyson moved with grace avoiding every power shot coming from Dillian.

Tyson’s size, reach and boxing IQ inside the ring was simply too much of a puzzle for Dillian to overcome. Tyson always seemed to be two steps ahead of Dillian’s every move. Dillian was outmatched and outwitted inside that squared circle. To me this bout looked like a sparring session gone wrong for Dillian. It was only matter of time before the inevitable happened and by the 6th round, Tyson connected with a vicious right uppercut straight to the chin that dropped Dillian who then managed to get up before the count but was on shaky legs to continue. This prompted the referee to call the bout in fear for his safety. Game over!

This was a long overdue mandatory position that Dillian Whyte rightfully deserved from time but fell short on the biggest night of his career to the so-called pillow fisted “Gypsy King”. I tip my “B” hat to Fury for successfully defending his WBC/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Championship Titles and walking away from the game still undefeated and on his own terms in the presence of 94,000 fans at the Wembley Stadium in London.

Job well done Tyson, now enjoy your retirement.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Lyndon Arthur vs Anthony Yard”

Light Heavyweight British Throwdown 2

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotion Main Event between WBO Intercontinental and Commonwealth British Light Heavyweight Champion Lyndon Arthur (19-1, 13 Kos) and Anthony Yard (22-2, 21 Kos) at The Copper Box in East London was a much-needed revenge match gone right for the challenger from Ilford Essex.

Anthony, who previously succumbed to his second defeat to the hands of Lyndon a year ago, wasted no time asserting himself in an aggressive manner right from the first bell. Yard looked like a throwback version of himself landing some serious leather from head to body clearly catching Lyndon off guard and overwhelmed by Anthony’s non-stop pressure.

At first sight Lyndon looked puzzled and unsure on how to deal with the pressure that Anthony was bringing on so early in the bout. Anthony’s “game plan” was pretty obvious from the jump, detonating bomb after bomb clearly looking for a quick stoppage.

Lyndon didn’t look right to me, constantly retreating to the ropes unable to deter Anthony from having his way with him inside that squared circle. Anthony’s power punches and non-stop pressure were visibly bothering Lyndon early in the rounds.

Anthony did not hold back this time around and the inevitable was moments away in the fourth round once again when Lyndon got caught in the corner and on the ropes receiving an onslaught of unanswered combinations from head to body with ferocious power punches being administered by Yarde who eventually dropped Arthur for the second time to the floor giving him a ten count that prompted the referee to stop the bout. Unbelievable!

Tonight, Anthony was a man on a mission and total destruction was the only outcome he was looking for. I’m not sure what was going on with Lyndon but truth be told, Arthur got his ass handed to him in a very convincing manner inside that squared circle tonight.

With this devastating statement win Anthony is now the new WBO Intercontinental and Commonwealth British Light Heavyweight Champion and is back into contention at a possible bout with the winner between WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 Kos) and Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 Kos) in their next bout to be held January 15, 2022.

Until then, congratulations Anthony on your destructive win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Carlos Takam”

Heavyweight Showdown

Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 Kos) walked it like he talked it tonight when he stopped Carlos Takam (39-6-1, 28 Kos) as he predicted, in the sixth round at the SSE Arena in Wembley, England.

Watching Joe fight tonight wasn’t pretty but he did the job. Takam came in willing and able to trouble Joe who made it hard for Takam with his size and length but props still need to be given to Takam for pressuring Joe enough to actually winning rounds in my eyes.

As big as Joe was inside that squared circle, Takam’s movement and quicker hands did find a home landing on Joe quite frequently. Takam had the right “game plan” going for him but the pace he had to maintain to keep Joe from landing was visibly taxing him as the rounds were going.

It was only a matter of time before the “Juggernaut” caught him and seconds into the sixth round Joe did just that when he connected with a heavy left hook to Takam’s dome that rocked him so hard that he started Crip walking on shaky legs leaving himself open to a series of unanswered punches that hastily prompted the referee to stop the bout.

Takam did not agree with the stoppage and rightfully so since he was still standing but judging by the way Joe was picking up steam in the sixth round, the inevitable ending was bound to happen.

As slow and predictable as Joe looked inside that squared circle tonight, one thing for sure is he carries some serious power in those hands and when he connects you definitely feel it.

With this win, Joe continues his winning streak and maintains his WBO mandatory position to challenge the winner of the Anthony Joshua IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion and Oleksandr Usyk future bout.

Until then, congratulations Joe on another great win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Yard vs Lyndon Arthur”

Light Heavyweight British Throwdown

Another intriguing outcome presented itself tonight at Church House, Westminister in London when Anthony Yard (20-2, 19 Kos) and Lyndon Arthur (18-0, 12 Kos) entered that squared circle.

The underdog Lyndon came in with a very good “game plan” and executed it to a “T”. Lyndon’s stiff and steady jab was a key factor tonight. Lyndon boxed well and kept a cool head throughout the rounds.

Anthony, on the other hand, came out the gate with no real sense of urgency which may have cost him a few early rounds. That said, Yard did pick up the pace as the rounds wore on and did manage to land the more telling power punches but the jab, he was eating all night from Lyndon clearly dictated what the Judges were taking into account.

The bout seemed to get a lot closer to call in the later rounds but truth be told, I personally think that Anthony rallied a little too late and did not press the action in his usual dominating ways.

After 12 rounds of action the Judges called it a split decision. One Judge had it 117-111 for Yard and the other two Judges had it 115-114 for Lyndon.

Yard, who was clearly the stronger fighter, did not have the right “game plan” on the night. Yard may have landed the more power shots but it was Lyndon who controlled most of the rounds with good ring generalship and a steady and accurate jab.

Lyndon kept it simple but effective and never wavered from the original “game plan” and for that Lyndon handed Anthony his second defeat.

Congratulations Lyndon. With this win you now retain your Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Title and picked up the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight Title and move up one step closer to a World Championship opportunity.

Blaze

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

Vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title

In his first meaningful fight since David Lemieux, Billy Joe Saunders (28-0, 13 Kos) moved up to the Super-Middleweight Division and challenge No. 1 rated WBO challenger Shefat Isufi (27-4-2, 20 Kos) for the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title at the Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

On paper this bout looked like an even match considering BJS was coming up in weight from the Middleweight Division. However, as the bout progressed, it quickly became clear that we were witnessing another BJS vs David Lemieux type performance inside that squared circle.

For someone who didn’t have an active outing in 2018, BJS was sharp as a whistle-bobbing and weaving, slipping and dipping and popshots at will. BJS controlled every round. There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and it was evident last night that Isufi did not belong in that squared circle with BJS.

No disrespect to Isufi, Dude showed up to fight and gave it a good try even had a good round six in his favour but not enough to sway the Judges. All three Judges scored the fight 120-108, 117-111 and 118-110 in favour of Billy joe Saunders. Nuff said!

With this dominant performance by Billy Joe Saunders, the former WBO Middleweight Champion now becomes a two-weight Champion by capturing the vacant WBO Super-Middleweight Title.

Billy Joe is a problem in either weight Division. I can’t wait to see what becomes of his latest acquisition.

Congratulations on your latest achievement Billy.

Blaze

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

WBO Middleweight Championship

Last night at the Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, Canada, I witnessed firsthand how seemingly easy BJ Saunders (26-0, 12 Kos) dismantled heavy fisted David Lemieux (38-4, 33Kos) in his hometown. REAL TALK!

I have to seriously tip my “B” hat to BJ’s masterful display of skill he performed with in that squared circle. BJ had absolutely no “RESPECT” nor “FEAR” for David Lemieux perceived and well-known abilities on that stage last night. BJ came on enemy soil and schooled, dazzled, out boxed and outsmarted the bully in his own house.

It was impressive to see just how dominant BJ was round by round. The man toyed with the puncher and made it a cat and mouse game by using exceptional movement and slick footwork to prevent David from ever being able to land anything of significance. David had absolutely no answer to BJ’s astonishing offence.

The “Kid” did his homework on Lemieux and executed the game plan to a “T”. You have to give “props” to his trainer Dominic Ingle for seriously reviving BJ’s career cause last night I witness a “World Class Boxer” in Billy Joe Saunders in that squared circle.

Congratulations Champ on retaining your WBO Middleweight Championship in such a convincing manner, you truly are a legit threat in the Middleweight Division.

Your thoughts on this one?

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