On The Watch “It’s All About Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor”

World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final

Tonight’s World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Finals at the O2 Arena in London between WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion & WBC Diamond Champion Regis Prograis (24-1, 20 Kos) and IBF Super-Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor (16-0, 13 Kos), came down to the wire.

This bout was a back and forth tussle from the jump with both fighters trying to assert themselves round by round while working their respective “game plan” and each looking for that advantage.

Taylor came to fight tonight and he wasn’t about to let this big opportunity pass him by. Regis, on the other hand, started a little slower and in doing so, to me, kept the fight a lot closer than it should have been. The visiting fighter Regis, should have kept his foot on the peddle and kept that pressure coming by being busier round by round.

That being said, this bout was a strategic chess match with both fighters performing at a very high level of boxing IQ with neither fighter backing down.

As damn close as this bout was, to the Judges’ eyes they scored it 115-113, 117-112 and 114-114 in favor of Taylor. Josh backed his trash talking by keeping his IBF Super-Lightweight Title and picking up the WBA Super-Lightweight World Championship Belt, the vacant Super-Lightweight Ring Magazine Belt and the prestigious Ali Trophy.

By defeating the No. 1 seeded Regis Prograis and collecting all that hardware, Josh has officially captured the No. 1 Spot in the Super-Lightweight Division. Next on the hit list is a unification bout with WBC/WBO Super-Lightweight Champion Jose Ramirez (25-0, 17 Kos) to decide the Undisputed Champion in the 140-pound Division.

Until then Josh, congratulations on your latest accomplishments. The road to undisputed is on the horizon .

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA Season 2019/2020”

The NBA Season 2019/2020

The NBA Season is set to start this upcoming Tuesday October 22, 2019, and our own newly crowned Canadian Defending Champs the Toronto Raptors will be looking to start the season right where they left off. However, they will be looking to repeat without their star player and Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. With Kawhi jumping ship, the Raptors’ chances of repeating have definitely slimmed down but with the emergence of last year’s Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam they may have found another go to player to help them restore the balance needed to get back to the Finals and defend their Championship.

With the season that they had last year the Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to bounce right back into contention considering that their squad is still intact with a few new faces to help maintain their status quo as one of the top teams that could possibly reach the Eastern Conference Finals if all goes right for them.

After falling short at the buzzer to the Toronto Raptors in the Easter Conference Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers had a hard look at their team and decided to fine-tune their roster to hopefully have that edge needed to conquer the Eastern Conference and set foot to the NBA Finals. As it stands right now, they may have the biggest starting line-up this year if all goes as planned with 6-5, 6-9, 6-10, and a big mobile 7-footer. Defence this year should not be a problem, but Philly will definitely be gunning for that No. 1 Spot. Their time is now.

The lack of chemistry that the Boston Celtics displayed last year cost them dearly and with the departure of Kyrie Irving and Al Holford, they might have slipped a little but I’m not counting them boys out just yet. Coach Brad Stevens is a proven winner and with Kemba Walker now running the show along with a young athletic squad, the Celtics will still be in contention and may be the sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.

The Brooklyn Nets acquired Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant over the off season in a serious power move, but we won’t be able to see the two heavy hitters share the court together until possibly next season since Kevin Durant is expected to miss the entire 2019/2020 season recovering from his Achilles injury. I expect the Nets to be competitive but not ready yet to steal that No 1 Spot in the East.

That being said the Eastern Conference is still steadily improving. The Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards will keep it interesting throughout the season.

Out West the tables have changed dramatically, with the departure of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson sidelined until possibly after the All-Star break. The Golden State Warriors will have no breathing room or any easy nights in the Western Conference. This season might be their toughest to date. The Warriors are not ready to concede the season just yet. Counting them out with a healthy Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still holding it down until Klay comes back is not something I’m willing to bet against at this time.

The two LA teams have done some power moves of their own and in doing so may have reignited the Lakers/Clippers rivalry. The Los Angeles Lakers will start this season with a well-rested and healthy LeBron James and newly acquired Anthony Davis. The Lakers have revamped their squad and are already talking Championships. However, their neighboring team the Los Angeles Clippers have also added two valuable pieces to their already proven squad in the form of reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Now that was an unexpected chess move by the Clippers. Both teams have easily vaulted themselves into contention but in the WESTSIDE, nothing is as easy as it’s sounds. The road to the Western Finals is a never-ending gauntlet. There are quite a few contenders willing and ready to snatch that No. 1 Spot.

The Houston Rockets will be starting two former NBA MVP’s in James Harden and Russell Westbrook. This is an intriguing backcourt but one that I am definitely looking forward to seeing in action at this point in their careers. The pace that these two can play at might be the key that gives them the edge and push them over the hump.

The Denver Nuggets are no longer flying under the radar. That squad balled out of their minds last year and are determined to give it another run at the No. 1 Spot. These Kats have a well-balanced squad who plays that team ball the proper way. No game is an easy game against them. They have arrived and are definitely in the mix.

Fresh off their Western Conference Finals showing, the Portland Trail Blazers have retooled their squad to give it another run. Their goal remains the same as all the top contenders in the Western Conference and that is Championship or bust. They have one of the best backcourts in the league in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Now it’s all about putting the right pieces together and making every game count.

Again, the Western Conference is so competitive that you cannot afford to sleep on any team on any given night. That being said, be on the lookout for the New Orleans Pelicans, the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks to ruffle up the pecking order and create their own havoc in the Western Conference.

Tune in Tuesday night October 22, 2019 and be part of one of the most interesting NBA Seasons.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Artur Beterbiev vs Oleksandr Gvozdyk”

IBF/WBC Light Heavyweight Unification

Last night’s Light Heavyweight Unification bout between undefeated IBF Champion Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 Kos) and previously undefeated WBC Champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-1, 14 Kos) at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, did not disappoint us.

It was clear from the “jump” that Gvozdyk’s “game plan” was to jab stick and move at all times and not get caught in a standstill unless he saw an opening to do so but, as the rounds wore on, I noticed some early fatigue coming from Gvozdyk due to Artur’s relentless pressure. Gvozdyk boxed well and made it harder for Beterbiev to work his “game plan” but truth be told, whenever Beterbiev connected with any leather he damn made sure it counted. Real Talk!

Beterbiev’s power was on full display last night. Artur looked focussed and fresher throughout the rounds and determined to administer pain to his opponent. Artur’s inside fighting was visibly breaking Gvozdyk down. Although Oleksandr tried his hardest to hang on in the later rounds, it was noticeably clear that fatigue had settled in by the 10th round when Artur started walking Gvozdyk down to eventually dropping him down three times in the round prompting the referee to stop the unanswered onslaught.

With this convincing win Artur is now the Unified IBF/WBC Light Heavyweight Champion of the world and still maintains his status as the only current Champion with a 100% Ko percentage.

Beterbiev has once again put the Light Heavyweight Division on notice. It’s going to be hard to beat this man inside that squared circle but until your next challenge, congratulations are in order Artur and thank you for bringing home the WBC Championship Belt back to Canada.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gennady Golovkin vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko”

Vacant IBO/IBF Middleweight Championship Challenge

Last night’s DAZN Main Event card at Madison Square Garden in New York City between Gennady Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 Kos) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 Kos) was nothing short of exciting from start to finish. Real Talk!

We all know by now what “GGG” brings to the squared circle night in and night out but last night “GGG” had to dig really deep and walk through hell and back for this one. Although “GGG” came out the gate early in the first round and dropped Sergiy with a left hand for an 8 count and managed to cut Sergiy on his right eye in the second round, the remainder of the fight was not as smooth.

Sergiy “The Technician” that he is, sensing the urgency of the bout went into full attack mode from round 3 to round 12. The effective steady pressure that Sergiy applied round by round turned this bout into war and definitely caught “GGG” off-guard at times and forced him to take more head and body shots than usual.

Sergiy stuck to the “game plan” at hand and executed it beautifully. Sergiy let his hands go and forced “GGG” to fight his fight. By that point Golovkin had clearly abandoned his “game plan” and resorted to slug it out with “The Technician” by administering substantial and efficient power shots that may have swayed the Judging.

Golovkin, visibly looking tired throughout the bout, still managed to finish the championship rounds with cleaner punches and controlled aggression down the stretch.

That being said, all three Judges scored it 114-113, 115-112 and 115-112 by unanimous decision in favor of Gennady Golovkin.

It was a hell of a close fight and the fans in attendance showed their displeasure with the score cards by booing loudly and rightfully so. This was not Golovkin’s best showing but undeniably one of his toughest bouts to date.

With this win Golovkin is once again IBO/IBF Middleweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Gennady on becoming a two-time Middleweight Champion. The “Drama Show” continues.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz 2″

WBC Heavyweight Rematch Challenge

Heavyweight Luis Ortiz (31-1, 26 Kos) has been campaigning for a rematch with WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (41-0-1, 40 Kos) since their last competitive tussle back in March 3, 2018 and his request has officially been announced.

Ortiz will be looking to avenge his one and only loss to date on November 23, 2019 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Although their first encounter ended with Ortiz getting knocked out in the 10th round, everybody in the boxing community knows that Ortiz gave Deontay the business that night and came extremely close to upsetting the WBC Heavyweight Champion. If it wasn’t for Luis running out of gas in the later rounds, the end result could have easily been in favour of “King Kong”. Real Talk!

That being said, we can’t front on Wilder, Dude did drop and stop Ortiz and we all known Ortiz is no one to play with inside that squared circle. However, having shared the ring with Ortiz, Wilder should be better prepared this time around for any possible onslaught Ortiz may have hidden in his arsenal. The “Boogeyman” fear factor will have no effect on the “Bronze Bomber”. Dude got his weight up and his confidence is already at 100! Nuff Said!

Peeps in the boxing community are claiming that Ortiz is now showing his age inside that squared circle but still being avoided by his peers. Personally, age aside, Ortiz’s skill set is superior to most sh*t talkers in the Heavyweight Division. That said I’m not ready to pull the plug on Ortiz just yet. He campaigned for the rematch with Wilder now he’s gotta make it count and show us fans that he can talk it like he walks it. Duplicating that infamous round 7 back in March won’t be easy but “King Kong” has got to bring it on fight night in order to have a chance at beating the heavy fisted “Bronze Bomber” inside that squared circle.

Don’t miss this action-packed Heavyweight rematch on Fox Sport PBC Pay-per-View on Saturday night November 23, 2019 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Errol Spence Jr. vs Shawn Porter”

IBF/WBC Welterweight Title Unification

Last night’s Welterweight Title Unification bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles between IBF Champion Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 Kos) and WBC Champion Shawn Porter (30-3-1, 17 Kos), lived up to the hype from start to finish. Real Talk!

Porter, the underdog, laid it all inside that squared circle. “Showtime” lived up to his name last night and to me, outperformed himself by bringing it straight up to Spence from round to round. Porter’s “game plan” was clear from the jump to rough up Spence with constant pressure while keeping it awkward and standing strong by not letting Spence have his way with him inside that squared circle.

Spence was in a real dog fight last night and surprisingly was unable to command the bout in his usual aggressive fashion. However, the “Truth” stayed cool like his demeanour and weathered the storm by simply adapting to Porter’s rugged tactics by fighting blow for blow and making his punch selections count whenever the openings presented themselves.

These two Champions showed up last night administering some serious heavy leather to one another and kept it real tight all throughout the rounds. To me neither one of them really had a clear-cut lead until the 11th round when Spence scored a decisive left hook “money shot” knockdown that may have sealed the deal for him to win on a spit-decision.

By the end of the twelfth round, two of the Judges had it scored 116-111 for Spence and one Judge had it 115-112 for Porter.

I tip my “B” hat to “Showtime” Shawn Porter” for bringing his all last night. He stepped up to the plate while other competitors are choosing to side step to the “Truth”.

Congratulations Errol on becoming the New IBF/WBC Unified Welterweight Champion of the World. You walked it like you talked it and proved to be the “Man” to beat in the 147-pound Division.

Can’t wait to see who signs up next to face you.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Dirrell vs David Benavidez”

WBC Super Middleweight Challenge

The co-main event on the Errol Spence Jr.-Shawn Porter pay-per-view card at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was blazing last night. David Benavidez (22-0, 19 Kos) regained his WBC Super Middleweight Belt in a conclusive fashion by stopping Two-Time Champion Anthony Dirrell (33-2-1, 24 Kos) by a 9th round TKO. Anthony’s corner had seen enough.

It was a beautiful display by Benavidez. Not an easy one but well worth the challenge. Dirrell stood his ground and seemed to be boxing and moving well and keeping the rounds close but Benavidez who was visibly stronger and taller than Dirrell, started breaking him down systematically and patiently round by round with some serious heavy hands.

To me the “game-changer” was the left hook that opened up a horrible cut over Dirrell’s right eye in the 6th round. It was downhill from that point on for Dirrell. The onslaught coming from Benavidez was too much and the fight was quickly looking one-sided as the rounds wore on.

Dirrell was being walked down and outgunned from every corner. It was only fitting for Dirrell’s corner to pull the plug in the 9th round and stop the bloodbath from continuing.

With this win Benavidez reclaims his WBC Super Middleweight Title and becomes one of the youngest Two-Time Champions to ever do it this good.

Congratulations Champ. Now on to the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev”

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Its Official, Middleweight “King Pin” Champion Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) will be moving up two weight Divisions to challenge Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 Kos) for his WBO Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday November 2, 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

From having two tough bouts with Gennady Golovkin onto a stern challenge with Daniel Jacobs, Canelo is now seeking to outdo himself once again by attempting to dethrone the Three-Time Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev and become the fourth Mexican fighter to win World Titles in four different Divisions.

I’m very intrigued with this matchup. A lot of people in the boxing community see this bout as a cherry pick by Canelo but I personally see it has a real tough task ahead for Alvarez. Real Talk! Peeps need to stop looking at Kovalev’s age and really see what the “Krusher” brings to that squared circle. With trainer Buddy McGirt by his side leading the helm and challenging him in camp, Kovalev has now regained focus and is now showing up a more disciplined fighter inside the ring. Sergey has shown us many times before that he is a very smart, skillful fighter with an extended boxing IQ that also carries heat in both hands. Definitely not a walk in the park for any competitor.

That being said, Canelo is out here chasing history and testing himself every time he enters that squared circle. Canelo is the total package at this point in his career. Skill for skill Alvarez is heads above most and on this night, November 2, 2019 Canelo will be banking on his extensive skills and the right “game plan” from trainer Eddy Reynoso to take down the visibly bigger and stronger “Krusher”.

A successful leap from the 160-pound Division to the 175-pound Division is not familiar. In fact, only a few of the greats have succeeded in doing so but Canelo feels he is destined to join the limited prestige club and plans on achieving that goal come Saturday night November 2, 2019 live on DAZN at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That is if he can effectively slay the “Krusher” down to pieces.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor”

World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final

It has officially been announced that the World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final between WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion & WBC Diamond Champion Regis Prograis (24-0, 20 Kos) and IBF Super-Lightweight World Champion & WBC Silver Champion Josh Taylor (15-0, 13 Kos), will be taking place on Saturday night October 26, 2019 at the O2 Arena in London.

Depending on who you’re asking, these two right here might just be the two best Super-Lightweights in the Division today. Real Talk! Regis entered the WBSS Tournament as the No. 1 seed while Josh entered as the No. 2 seed. Both undefeated with no shortage of confidence from either combatant.

This showdown is a sure shot banger with major fireworks on the horizon when these two Dudes touch gloves inside that squared circle. There is a lot at stake here: a unification bout, undefeated records, the vacant Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight Championship and above all the prestigious Ali Trophy.

The winner of this World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Tournament will stand to be the clear-cut No.1 in the 140-pound Division and one step closer at Undisputed. Both warriors can clearly see the benefits ahead and are determined and driven to come out on top but there can only be one true victor.

Both have talked the talk but all the slick and greasy trash talking doesn’t win fights, however, gloving them up inside that squared circle does. Now let’s see who can back it up under the bright lights. Tune in live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. Saturday October 26, 2019, at the O2 Arena.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Anthony Joshua”

World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

It has now officially been announced. The highly anticipated rematch between newly crowned Unified IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Champion of the World Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-1, 22 Kos) and former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 Kos) is set to take place in an open-air arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night December 7, 2019.

In my eyes, what Andy accomplished back on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City is genuinely one of the biggest upsets in Heavyweight history. Having finally tasted the fruits of his labor and enjoying that good life, Andy is now back preparing himself to prove the naysayers wrong if they think his win over AJ was a lucky break. The instant fame and attention he’s received till this day, along with holding all them Championship Belts, is something he’s not willing to part ways with anytime soon. Ruiz is firmly stating that his hunger to succeed is still there and he wants it to last. come December 7, 2019, Andy is anticipating on still being Heavyweight Champion of the World.

That being said, Anthony is seriously looking forward to the challenge ahead and at becoming a two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. AJ understands that he badly dropped the ball back in June and is now refocused on righting the wrong and reclaiming the No 1 Spot in the Heavyweight Division. Judging by the previous outcome it may look like Andy has AJ’s number and that could well be the case, but I’m anticipating Joshua to make the proper adjustments needed to neutralize Andy’s aggressive output.

With a full camp ahead this time around, Andy is expecting to be leaner, faster and that much sharper come fight night for whatever AJ is planning on bringing to that squared circle. Personally, I feel the pressure will be on Anthony to deliver and to deliver in a convincing fashion in order to reclaim the throne that was once his.

Andy ruined AJ’s U.S. debut back in June at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It will be up to Anthony to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night December 7, 2019, live on DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office. Tune in and witness the outcome.

Blaze