On the Watch “It’s All About Jessica McCaskill vs Lauren Price”

IBO/WBA Welterweight Challenge

A new Champion was crowned tonight when previously Undisputed Welterweight Champion Jessica McCaskill (12-4-1, 5 Kos) put up what was left of her titles, the IBO/WBA/Ring Magazine belts on the line to challenge undefeated Lauren Price (7-0, 1 Ko) at the Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, Wales.

Lauren put her best foot forward on the night and never looked back when she entered that squared circle and executed a flawless game plan. Lauren was aggressive, patient, stronger and faster than the champion who looked like an armateur on the night.

Truth be told, Jessica hasn’t looked like herself or the champion who dethroned the previous Undisputed Champion Cecillia Btacekhus. This version of Jessica had absolutely nothing going for herself or the right “game plan” to stand a chance against Lauren.

Jessica looked lost and lacked the activity to keep up with the younger combatant who possessed the quicker footwork, the quicker hand speed and the right punch selection to deter the Champion from ever getting any type of momentum. Real Talk!

Skill for skill, Jessica was simply outgunned and outmatched on the night. To make things worse both combatants had a clash of heads giving the Champion Jessica the worst of it handing her a severe swollen eye visibly affecting her eye sight and her productivity while she desperately attempted to go toe-to-toe with the gritty challenger.

As the rounds proceeded, the referee kept a close watch on Jessica’s eye which was looking worse round by round. Jessica eye was shutting out and she was taking some serious punishment.

By the start of the ninth round, the referee called up the Doctor on hand to have a look at the swelling of Jessica’s eye and instructed the referee that the bout could no longer continue.

Due to Jessica’s sickening swollen eye being completely shut by an earlier clash of heads, the Judges ruling went to the cards 90-82, 90-82,90-82 scoring it unanimously for Lauren Price.

With this dominant performance now under her belt Lauren is now the New IBO/WBA and Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Lauren, you did your home fans and country proud. With only seven bouts under your belt your future is looking brighter by the day. Congratulations.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina”

IBF Junior Lightweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event definitely brought the house down at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales, when IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (17-1-1, 14 Kos) took on former IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Joe Cordina (16-0, 9 Kos) on his home ground of Cardiff.

This was Joe’s second homecoming and he did not disappoint his fans in attendance. Both combatants threw tough leather at each other right from the jump but it was Joe who established early dominance by dropping Rakhimov in the second round for a quick 8 count.

But not to be deterred by the second-round slipup, Rakhimov came out gunning and applying pressure from that point on with both combatants going toe to toe phone booth style round after round.

This bout was a competitive bout from start to finish. Both combatants had their moments hurting each other back and forth making it very hard to call the rounds clearly for either warrior. Rakhimov was busier with his hands and combination shots but the more telling punches were coming from Cordina.

After 12 completed, exciting rounds of actions, the Judges at hand scored it 116-111 for Rakhimov, 115-112 and 114-113 for Cordina giving him the split decision win and the New IBF Junior Lightweight Champion.

I’m not sure how the Judge that scored it 116-111 saw the fight that far apart but I personally think the right combatant won the bout.

Congratulations Joe on becoming a two-time Junior Lightweight Champion. You walked it like you talked it and delivered on the biggest stage.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Sandy Ryan vs Marie-Pier Houle”

Vacant WBO Welterweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event brought us the crowning of a new Champion when Sandy Ryan (6-1, 2 Kos) bested our own Canadian challenger Marie-Pier Houle (8-1-1 2 Kos) at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

This may not have been Sandy’s best showing to date but knowing what was on the line tonight she definitely brought the right pressure on Marie, systematically breaking her down round by round. It wasn’t a pretty fight but it was effective enough to trouble Marie who did not have the right “game plan” to deter Sandy from having her way inside that squared circle.

Marie tried hard in every round – giving it her all but she lacked the right controlled aggression to offset Sandy’s higher work rate as the rounds progressed. Marie showed that she’s definitely tough inside that squared circle but she needed to be more active at times with her own work rate.

Sandy was undeniably looking for a knockout but Marie’s sturdy chin stood up to the assault but was unable to avoid the steady jabs hitting her straight all night.

After 10 rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 unanimously in favor of Sandy Ryan, the New WBO Welterweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Sandy, your future is looking brighter and brighter every time out.

Blaze