On The Watch “It’s All About Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins”

IBF Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Liam Paro (25-1, 15 Kos) and challenger Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 Kos) was a technical matchup that greatly favoured the challenger at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I was impressed by Richardson who walked it like he talked it and handled his business inside that squared circle like a “G”. Richardson told anybody that would listen that he was levels above Liam and backed every word of it when the time came to prove it.

It took Richardson a few rounds to figure Liam out but once he did it was a boxing session where Richardson outboxed Liam with ease and conviction that he could not be denied. Richardson’s jab was on point along with his punch selection and accuracy that clearly bothered Liam who had no answer to slow down this determined combatant from having his way with him.

“Game Plan” for “Game plan”, Richardson had the right formula. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges on hand called it 117-111 for Liam, 116-112 and 116-112 for Richardson.

The Judge who had it 117-111 for Liam was out of pocket for that but nevertheless, with this convincing win under his belt Richardson is now the new IBF Junior Welterweight Champion of the World. Well done!

A hyped up and full of confidence Richardson wasted no time in calling out his next future challenger, if possible, in WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 kos).

That’s a unification bout that would be fun to watch but will Teofimo answer the call? Only time will tell.

Until then, congratulations Richardson and enjoy this great well-earned victory.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Sandy Ryan vs Mikaela Mayer”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Welterweight Champion Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 Kos) and challenger Mikaela Mayer (20-2, 5 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The animosity towards one another was quite evident towards the build up to this bout and when the first bell went off both worriers went straight to work with no hesitation. Sandy came out the gate with a strong jab but was met with some very busy hands by Mikaela who was countering every shot with speed.

Sandy definitely brought the pressure but the activity and the punch output coming back from Mikaela made things quite interesting as the rounds progressed. The power punches coming in by Sandy were quite evident whenever she landed but Mikaela showed grit and toughness standing her ground at every corner.

Both combatants had their moments as the round progressed but it was Mikaela who might have benefited from the first half of the fight by being exceptionally more active with her hands while Sandy needed to raise the “HEAT” in the second half of the bout to keep things close.

Both girls brought it in the later rounds going toe-to-toe and dishing out some serious leather from both sides but Mikaela’s experience at this stage in her career may have been key to this bout.

After 10 rounds of nonstop action the Judges at hand called it 95-95, 96-94 and 97-93, giving the majority decision to Mikaela Mayer.

I personally thought this was a very competitive bout that could have easily gone either way but on this night, a new Champion was crowned giving Mikaela a world title in her second Weight Division and the New WBO Welterweight Champion.

Well done, Mikaela.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga”

WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s PBC/Matchroom/Prime Video/DAZN Main Event between Unified WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 Kos) and WBA mandatory challenger Edgar Berlanga (22-1, 17 Kos) definitely lived up to the “HYPE” surrounding the Mexico vs Puerto Rico saga at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

Berlanga, who was a massive underdog of the night, surprisingly asserted himself quite well. Edgar stood his ground and felt the pressure of being inside that squared circle opposite of the ‘Kingpin”. Sh*t got real quicky as Berlanga tasted the canvas early in round three from being chin checked by Canelo’s strong left hook but took his standing 8 count like a “G” and proceeded to continue to stand his ground.

That being said, Canelo came out the gate quite aggressive and very active with his hands showing the bully and the bigger fighter Berlanga that things are different when you’re going toe-to-toe with the “Kingpin”.

Although Canelo was visibly the smaller of the two combatants, he was controlling the action inside that squared circle from start to finish. Granted Berlanga had a good strong and effective jab but it had little effect opposite Canelo who walking through his attack while systematically breaking Edgar down round by round.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and last night school was in session and Canelo was the instructor. Canelo outworked and outpunched Berlanga from every angle. The experience that Canelo possessed was key and quite visible. Although Berlanga did well, the inexperience of facing such a high caliber opponent was a major factor.

After 12 rounds of entertaining action the Judges at hand scored it 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

Another young and hungry Lion has tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of the “Kingpin’ and still Unified WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Canelo. Now who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Diego Pacheco vs Maciej Sulecki”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between undefeated Super Middleweight Contender Diego Pacheco (22-0, 18 Kos) and seasoned veteran Maciej Sulecki (32-3, 12 Kos) lived up to the hype when they met up inside that squared circle at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California.

Pacheco handled this bout like a true professional and patiently dissected his opponent round by round with a mean jab that couldn’t miss. Sulecki tried hard to stand his ground landing some decent shots and making it interesting as much as he could but the heavy punches coming from Pacheco were a clear indication that this was going to be a quick night of action.

The inevitable was creeping in and with Pacheco being able to land right uppercuts and heavy right-hand shots at will and breaking down Sulecki, Diego deployed a perfectly well-placed left hook to the body in the sixth round that crushed Sulecki straight to the canvas unable to answer the 10-count.

It was a dominant performance by Pacheco who became the first to knock out Sulecki in his career to date. With this win, Pacheco remains the mandatory challenger to the “Kingpin” Unified WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez.

That being said, I personally don’t think challenging the “Kingpin” this early in his young career would be a wise decision but this undefeated contender in Diego Pacheco is looking for all the smoke and calling out anyone in the top 10 Super Middleweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Serhii Bohachuk vs Virgil Ortiz Jr.”

WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 Kos) and challenger Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 Kos) was better than advertised when them two warriors finally laced up and met toe-to-toe inside that squared circle at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

This was a tough bout from start to finish but most entertaining to watch considering the favorite Ortiz Jr. really had to grind hard in this bout making it his most challenging test of his young professional career to date.

The defending WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Bohachuk brought his A game on the night and fought tooth and nail never backing down going blow for blow standing his ground round after round making sure his presence was felt.

Although Ortiz Jr. looked like he was the one carrying the most power it was actually Bohachuk who was able to drop Ortiz Jr. with a left hook in the second round prompting Ortiz Jr. to his feet protesting the call then fueling him to get his get back in the remaining round.

As the rounds progressed you could see Ortiz Jr. going off script constantly chasing that knockdown pressuring Bohachuk trying to break him down with his heavy blows. The disciplined and well-schooled Bohachuk remained poised letting his hands go giving back just as much as he was taking.

Bohachuk’s persistence with his own assault charge in the eight-round managed to knock Ortiz Jr. down with a swift right hand for the second time creating a hysterical moment that had the crowd in attendance in a frenzy by what was transpiring inside that squared circle.

Both combatants had their moments and the action was nonstop from start to finish making it that much harder to call but after 12 full rounds of entertaining action the Judges at hand called it 113-113, 114-112 and 114-112 edging the majority decision in Vergil Ortiz Jr. favor.

The outcome of this bout is very debatable in my opinion but nevertheless what we have here today is a new WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion in Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse”

WBC Heavyweight Challenge

Over the past weekend we witnessed the self-proclaimed GWOAT Claressa Shield (15-0, 3 Kos) conquer yet another Division when she moved up to Heavyweight and challenged our own Canadian WBC Heavyweight Champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-2-2, 2 Kos) at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Listen I’m a supporter of our Canadian athletes that get down and represent us to the fullest but this particular Heavyweight Showdown was a mismatch from the jump. No disrespect to Vanessa who was game to the challenge but truth be told she had nothing to deter Claressa from having her way with her inside that squared circle.

Although Claressa was the one moving up in weight, she was the bigger and stronger boxer of the two and wasted no time asserting herself by pressing the action from the first bell dishing out heavy punches from all angles clearly taking Vanessa by surprise.

Vanessa looked shaky and by the second round Claressa went in for the kill by dropping Vanessa with a heavy counter right hand off the ropes for a quick 8 count. When Vanessa rose back up she got dropped again by another right hand and a second standing 8 count. With Vanessa now looking defeated Claressa hit her up with a barrage of unanswered shots dropping Vanessa for the third time and prompting the referee and Vanessa’s corner to stop the fight.

This is a very impressive version of Claressa where she continues to add to her historical career by adding the WBC Heavyweight Title and the vacant WBO Light Heavyweight Title, now crowning her a four Division Champion.

Congratulations Claressa on another dominating performance. Good luck to the challengers attempting to dethrone this version of the self-proclaimed GWOAT, she definitely walks it like she talks it, Hands Down!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Cinco de Mayo Showdown

Last night’s PBC/Golden Boy/Prime Video/DAZN Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 Kos) and countryman, former World Champion Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 Kos), undeniably lived up to the “HYPE” surrounding this great event. Real Talk!

The young Lion Munguia brought the “HEAT” to the Kingpin’s door and gave a very good accountability for himself inside that squared circle but found out first-hand what in entails to go toe-to-toe with a seasoned, savvy veteran the likes of Canelo.

There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and on the night Munguia learned that lesson on the biggest stage of his career to date.

Not to be outdone, Munguia fought a great one and stood his ground even after being dropped for a standing 8 count in the fourth round. He bounced back and proceeded with the original “game plan” by applying pressure with an aggressive offence.

These two warriors brought their Mexican fans to their feet at the Arena the way they banged on each other, exchanging leather after leather at close range giving us that action.

That being said, school was in session last night and the instructor was Canelo who methodically broke his opponent down round by round and made it look good. Canelo was active with his hands and precise with his punches which disrupted Munguia’s usual high-octane offense. As big and strong as Munguia was on the night it was the skill set that separated both warriors inside that squared circle.

After 12 rounds of entertaining action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

The “Kingpin” reigns supreme once again on Cinco de Mayo and still Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Canelo, another great victory to be added on this very special night!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia”

Junior Welterweight Showdown

The promotional build up to this bout was quite awkward but last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, between WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Devin Haney (31-1, 15 Kos) and Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 Kos) definitely surpassed my expectations. Real Talk!

Ryan the underdog came out the gate with some serious aggression and rocked Devin with a serious left hook that dictated what was to come. Ryan’s power was quite evident but Devin regrouped and started using his boxing to survive the round.

As the rounds progressed Devin continued to box as expected while Ryan remained calm, waiting for the counterpunch to present itself. Both combatants showed no fear but the power punches were coming from Ryan whenever he let his hands go.

You could see Devin getting into his comfort zone inside that squared circle as the rounds were advancing but Ryan’s confidence never wavered, looking like an animal stalking his prey.

By the 7th round Devin fell asleep at the wheel and got caught with a mean left hook that dropped him, giving him his first standing 8 count in the professional ranks. Ryan had Devin on full survival mode clinching on Ryan for dear life.

The action picked up in the proceeding rounds with both combatants going back and forth but Ryan’s power punches and speed was clearly becoming a factor.

Devin’s defense wasn’t looking as tight as usual because Ryan’s left hand was “Money” and cashed in heavily once again knocking Devin down in the 10th round and the 11th round whenever he landed. Ryan’s equalizer secured the bout for me on this night. Devin could not stand up to Ryan’s power but truth be told he didn’t stay down. Real Talk!

After 12 completed action packed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 115-109, 114-110 and 112-112, giving the majority decision to “KingRy”. The Judge who scored it 112-112 is straight out of pocket for that score card but the right man definitely won this bout. Hands Down!

Due to the fact that Ryan missed the 140-Pound weight limit by 3.2 pounds, Devin remains the WBC Junior Welterweight Champion in defeat.

Belt or no Belt, Garcia proved the naysayers wrong and shocked the Boxing World last night by picking up his biggest win in his professional career to date.

Well done, Ryan, you definitely impressed me with this one!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Richardson Hitchins vs Gustavo Lemos”

IBF Light Welterweight Title Eliminator

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between undefeated Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 kos) and undefeated Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 Kos) turned out to be quite interesting from start to finish but the outcome given at the end of the bout at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, was very disappointing to say the least. Real Talk!

Lemos put his best foot forward on the night and proceeded to rough house Richardson with his come forward heavy hands looking to take his head out at every opportunity. This bout was clearly a boxer-versus-puncher where the boxer Hitchins was dealing with some serious challenges inside that squared circle. The pressure Lemos was coming with was visibly working giving the edge in my eyes round by round.

Richardson had his moments at times but he could have made things a lot easier on himself if only he would have let his hands go a tab more in between rounds. Although he was being very allusive at times, I personally think his lack of activity cost him heavily as the rounds progressed.

Richardson’s constant holding and clinching did not help his case in trying to sway the rounds his way. Lemos was the one initiating the action and visibly hurting Hitchins with punches coming at him from all angles.

What did help Richardson was his accuracy when he did decide to let his hands go but that was just not enough in my eyes to win enough rounds. Although Richardson was the better skilled fighter on the night, he did not execute the right “game plan” to the show the right levels needed to separate himself from his opponent inside that squared circle.

After 12 completed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 unanimously for Richardson Hitchins. Unbelievable. That Judge with that 117-111 was way out of pocket. Real talk!

Listen, although I was rooting for Richardson to win the fight, this one right here wasn’t it. Richardson started to put things together in the later rounds going toe-to-toe but his lack of activity throughout the duration of the bout sealed it for me.

I tip my “B” hat to Lemos who fought a good fight and brought the heat on the night. You have nothing to be ashamed of in my eyes. The Judges may have robbed you of your victory but you definitely gained a fan out of me.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Cinco de Mayo Showdown

It has now officially been announced: the “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 Kos) recently had a change of heart and will now be defending his Crown on Cinco de Mayo weekend at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, May 4, 2024, against his countryman, unbeaten former World Champion Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 Kos).

Munguia is a young, hungry, worthy combatant who will bring the absolute “HEAT” to Canelo inside that squared circle. This kid is strong and relentless when push comes to shove and he will not give up without a fight. This bout has the potential to be a real action-pact type of an event for the simple reason that Munguia has the punch resistance and the right amount of punch output to hang toe-to-toe with the “Kingpin” inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

That being said, the experience at this level belongs to Canelo. This battle-tested version of Canelo is a serious problem to any opponent attempting to dethrone him on the biggest stage. It’s a different ball game when you step inside that squared circle opposite the “Kingpin”.

Both combatants have respectable power and will be exchanging leather back and forth between them, but truth be told, I see it coming down to their individual skill sets and the right “game plan” on fight night.

It will be interesting to see how the young lion asserts himself on the biggest night of his career against boxing’s biggest star ‘Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez. Who will prevail as Mexico’s No. 1 Champion on Cinco de Mayo?

Tune in Saturday night May 4, 2024, on PBC Pay-Per-View/Prime Video/DAZN/PPV.com at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and witness the outcome of this historical night.

Who you got?

Blaze