On The Watch “It’s All About Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis”

Junior Welterweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 Kos) and former two-time Junior Welterweight Champion Regis Prograis (29-3, 24 Kos) was a statement bout that both fighters needed in order to move forward but on this night at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, Catterall prevailed.

Catterall was in a fight tonight and got dropped for the first time in his career to date in the fifth round but got up and continued to gain momentum as the rounds progressed. At that point, both combatants had their highs and lows throughout the rounds but Catterall kept his cool and picked his spots just right to even the score.

The ninth round was a game changer for Catterall who dropped Prograis twice in the round and abused him from that point on. Prograis’ defense and stamina looked shaky and he failed to even out the score with his lack of action in the later rounds. Knowing he was heavily down on the score cards Regis should have pressed the action but Jack stayed ahead of the game and made things hard for Prograis simply by moving around where Prograis was unable to land anything significant enough to do damage.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 117-108, 116-109 and 116-109 unanimously for Jack Catterall.

With this convincing win now under his belt Jack picked up the vacant WBO International Junior Welterweight Title positioning himself one step closer to a possible opportunity at the full Championship Title being held by Teofimo Lopez (21-1- 13 Kos).

Jack is deserving of this opportunity especially after defeating two highly ranked former champions in Josh Taylor and now Regis Prograis in back-to-back wins but only time will tell if the opportunity will be granted to him.

Until then, congratulations Jack on a very impressive win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois”

IBF World Heavyweight Challenge

Former Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 Kos) got himself a serious reality check when he brutally succumbed at the hands of IBF World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 Kos) at tonight’s Main Event at the sold-out Wembley Stadium in London, England, courtesy of Riyadh Season.

This all-British Showdown surpassed all expectations and attendance at the same time. Dubois, who came in the ring looking hungry and laser-focussed, surprisingly kept things simple but efficient. Dubois’ “game plan” was obvious from the jump: to seek and destroy his opponent by all means necessary and the young Lion did just that. Real Talk!

Both combatants looked fit and strong but it was Dubois who imposed himself from the first round by chin checking AJ to a standing 8 count right before the bell ended the round. It was a wrap from that point on.

AJ looked lost and confused from round one and had no proper “game plan” to deter Dubois who was coming at him from all corners with some serious aggression. Dubois refused to give AJ any breathing room round by round. The pressure was real and the power shots that Dubois was landing on AJ were visibly taxing as AJ could not stand toe-to-toe with Dubois and eventually got clipped once again in the third round to another standing 8 count.

The inevitable was near and in the fifth round when AJ attempted to open up with his offence, Dubois landed a “Dynamite” of a right hand that chin checked Anthony cold to the floor prompting the referee to count him out.

Although Anthony showed a lot of heart tonight by rising up every time he got dropped, this version of AJ was the worst I’ve ever seen get into that squared circle. Dubois manhandled and dominated AJ from rounds 1 to 5 which is not an easy task to do but Dubois made it look effortless and for that I tip my “B” hat to the young Lion. You silenced the naysayers and myself, and put the Heavyweight Division and the boxing world on notice that Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois is the real deal. Real Talk!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois”

IBF World Heavyweight Challenge

With Oleksandr Usyk recently announcing that he has vacated the IBF Heavyweight Title, Interim IBF Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 Kos) has now been elevated to full IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World, clearing a perfect path to make the first defense of his Title against former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 Kos) in an all-British Showdown on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London, England, courtesy of Riyadh Season.

This is a very intriguing matchup where both combatants look the part and carry the power to end the night in a dramatic fashion. The youth that Dubois has over AJ could come into play and the momentum that Dubois is rocking after stoppage wins over Jarell Miller and Filip Hrgovic has him feeling unbeatable.

That being said, Anthony himself has been looking on point in his last few fights as well and very much focussed on the task at hand. Regardless of the opponent across from him, his sole purpose is to dominate the Heavyweight Division once again and regain the Championship Titles by any means necessary.

The experience AJ has on the biggest stage will definitely play a part but the young Lion in Dubois will bring a significant amount of a challenge on the night. Both combatants have shown much improvement as of late with the confidence beaming from both sides, but the million-dollar question in the room is who will prevail victorious.

Tune in and be part of this mega British Heavyweight Showdown on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez”

Light Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s British domestic Boxxer/Sky Sports Main Event between Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 Kos) and British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 Kos) was an interesting bout that had the attention of all the fans in attendance at the OVO Arena in London, England.

Both combatants came out with a very good “game plan” that had both opponents exchanging blows back and forth round-by-round while holding their respective ground inside that squared circle.

Although both combatants each had their moments inside that squared circle, Buatsi, to me had the more telling type punches with the speed and accuracy giving him the edge as the rounds were piling up.

Buatsi’s level of experience was quite evident between the two combatants. Buatsi stayed level-headed and continued with the “game plan” as instructed by his cornerman unlike Azeez who was unable to deliver the bodywork his corner was requesting of him.

Both combatants did throw nuff hard leather shots at each other in the later rounds but it was Buatsi’s power punch that eventually got through and dropped Azeez twice in the eleventh round for two quick 8 counts. Water on the floor may have played a part in the knockdowns but nevertheless both were counted in Buatsi’s favor.

That being said, both combatants finished the last round strongly going toe-to-toe and bringing the crowd in attendance to their feet. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 117-109, 117-109 and 116-110 unanimously for Joshua Buatsi.

It was a very good domestic bout, one that the winner can definitely build onto bigger and better things. With this win Buatsi picked up the British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Championship belts and secured himself a mandatory position to challenge undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 Kos) for his title.

Only time will tell if this opportunity will be granted sooner rather than later.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer”

IBF Welterweight Challenge

Tonight’s Boxxer/Sky Sports/ESPN + Main Event between IBF Welterweight Champion Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 Kos) and challenger Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

Both combatants brought the “HEAT” straight from the first bell and never letting their feet of the gas pedal. Heavy bombs coming at each other from both sides round by round with neither combatant giving an inch of breathing room.

Natasha, the Champion and the natural welterweight, found herself in a serious shootout with Mikaela who moved up to the Welterweight Division ready and willing to dethrone the Champion with a steady pace of aggressive offence proving to be effective as the rounds progressed.

Both combatants stood their ground hammering some serious shots from body to head making this bout that much more exciting for the fans and for the judges to call.

Although both combatants were going toe to toe inside that squared circle, I personally feel that Mikaela was the one edging out the better imposing work rate and administering the most visible damage.

That being said, after 10 exciting action-packed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 96-95, 96-94 for Jonas and 97-93 for Mayer, giving Natasha Jonas the spilt decision.

It was a very close fight to call where I could definitely see Mikaela walking away with the win but nevertheless Natasha retained her IBF Welterweight Belt and recorded a great victory over an elite warrior.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Mauricio Lara vs Leigh Wood”

WBA Super Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBA Super Featherweight champion Mauricio Lara (26-3-1, 19 kos) and challenger Leigh Wood (27-3, 16, Kos) was a rematch that desperately needed to be rectified by Leigh at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Having succumbed to an upsetting stoppage by Lara back in February 2023, Leigh wasted no time at applying the “game plan” at hand right from the jump. Leigh’s confidence was on point and looked quite focussed and determined to remedy the mishap of their last meeting.

Lara talked a good game prior to this bout but surprisingly did not back it up inside that squared circle. Lara looked slow, disengaged and one step behind every move Leigh had for him inside that squared circle.

Leigh looked stronger on the night and managed to dropped Lara twice early in the second round for two quick 8 counts but to me, it was the exceptional boxing skills displayed on the night and bewildering Lara round after round that sealed the deal. Leigh’s patience and determination was key to securing the win after 12 fully completed rounds of action with the Judges at hand calling it 118-109, 118-109 and 116-111 unanimously for Leigh Wood.

With this convincing win now under his belt, Leigh is now a two-time WBA Super Featherweight Champion of the World with an even brighter future ahead.

Congratulations Leigh Wood. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Josh Warrington vs Luis Alberto Lopez”

IBF Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DZAN Main Event between IBF Featherweight Champion Josh Warrington (31-2-1, 8 Kos) and Luis Alberto Lopez (26-2, 15 Kos) was an action packed bout from start to finish in Josh’s own backyard at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

First off, the referee for this bout was horridness – hands down one of the worst officiating for a championship bout. That said, both combatants came out the gate going blow for blow in a very aggressive but competitive manner which resulted in some great action but as the rounds progressed, I personally felt that Josh was getting away with too much home cooking when the referee failed to call the constant fouling that Josh was getting away with the continuous back of the head, rabbit punches and head-butting happening in front of his capable eyes.

Although the no call was happening, Lopez kept his work on par and continued to press the action by not discouraging himself and sticking to the “game plan” at hand. Lopez did get an early cut from a Josh headbutt but did not let that deter him from staying in the pocket and hammering down his own heavy punches.

Aside from the constant fouling from Josh, he did let his hands go and fought back when things got heated between them two as the rounds progressed. Josh seemed to pick up the action in the later rounds making it really close to call. That said, the first half of the fight was clearer to call for Lopez who managed to secure the earlier round in my eyes.

This was a tough bout for both combatants but after 12 full rounds of non-stop action two of the Judges at hand called it 115-113 for Lopez while the third Judge called it a draw giving Lopez the unanimous decision.

This was a close bout from start to finish but truth be told I feel the right combatant won this battle inside that squared circle.

Congratulations Luis Alberto Lopez on your latest accomplishment. The odds were clearly stacked against you from the moment you stepped foot inside that squared circle but you fought through your toughest challenges and prevailed as the winner and now join the winner’s circle as the new IBF Featherweight Champion of the World.

Well done!

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 Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington”

IBF Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Featherweight Champion Kiko Martinez (43-11-2, 30 Kos) and Josh Warrington (31-1-1, 8 Kos) was a rematch that brought the house at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England to its feet.

This bout was one of the most important bouts in Josh’s career to date, considering a lost tonight would have meant retirement. With that in mind and a full house in attendance, Josh wasted no time asserting himself at the first bell of round one throwing leather with vicious combinations strong enough to drop Kiko for a quick 8 count.

Kiko clearly wasn’t expecting Josh to being so aggressive from the jump. Josh’s approach forced Kiko to exchange but wasn’t able to match Josh’s output from the early rounds.

Once the action slowed down as Josh lowered his output, Kiko proceeded to press the action with his own shots attempting to deter Josh who was still able to box with some very good exchanges going back and forth.

With Josh landing the better shots as the rounds progressed it was quite evident that Josh was the combatant outworking his opponent inside that squared circle. Josh looked good and sharp moving and boxing and landing punches at will.

By the seventh round, it was another trashing by Josh who had pinned Kiko to the ropes and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches like a heavy bag that quickly prompted the referee to stop the bout and kept Kiko from further abuse.

This rematch was way different from their first encounter of five years ago, where Josh won a rough twelve round majority decision over Kiko. This time around Josh shut the show down in a convincing fashion.

With this conclusive win, you have now regained the IBF Featherweight Title and reasserted yourself as a key player in the 126-Pound Division.

Congratulations Josh, can’t wait to see what your next move will be.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Maria Cecilia Roman vs Ebanie Bridges”

IBF Bantamweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event between long reigning IBF Bantamweight Champion Maria Cecilia Roman (16-6-1) and well-liked Australian star Ebanie Bridges (8-1, 3 Kos) was an exciting showdown that definitely brought some “hype” at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Ebanie brought the “heat” early and kept her hands busy by staying aggressive with some very good punch output from head to body. Ebanie boxed beautifully and stayed one step ahead at all corners in the first half of the bout.

That being said, Maria wasn’t the longest reigning Champion for no reason. Maria proceeded to utilized her experience in the second half of the bout to slowly regain some ground. The two combatants exchanged leather for leather going back and forth but it was Ebanie’s higher work rate throughout the bout that clearly separated the two warriors in my eyes.

As we got closer to the championship rounds fatigue started to show on Ebanie giving Maria a better chance at reclaiming some much needed rounds but Ebanie’s sheer will to stay alert and bang with the Champ carried her all the way to the later rounds.

After 10 full rounds of exciting action the Judges scored it 100-91, 97-93, 97-93 all in favor for the New IBF Bantamweight Champion Ebanie Bridges.

Aside from the Judge who scored it 100-91, the right combatant definitely won the bout. Hands Down.

Ebanie’s early work rate and good boxing paid dividends tonight, although she tired near the end, she boxed a good fight and showed much improvement on the biggest night of her career to date.

Congratulations Ebanie – you have now entered the Winner’s Circle of Champions.

Blaze