On The Watch “It’s All About Stephen Fulton vs Naoya Inoue”

Unified Junior Featherweight Champion

Naoya Inoue (25-0, 22 Kos) repped his moniker “The Monster” to the fullest this morning at the Top Rank/ESPN Main Event when he completely dominated and stopped WBC/WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Stephen Fulton (21-1, 8 Kos) at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Inoue, who was fresh off capturing the Undisputed Bantamweight Championship status, moved up in weight to the Junior Featherweight Division in search of accomplishing the same by challenging the No. 1 Dude in the Division, Stephen Fulton and relieving him of his prized possessions the WBC/WBO Junior Featherweight Belts.

Fulton was rated as an exceptional worthy Champion that would definitely bring that “Heat” to Inoue but what transpired inside that squared circle this morning proved to me just how serious of a competitor Inoue really is. Dude really walks it like he talks it and backs every word with absolutely no fear of any opponent standing opposite of him. Real Talk!

I anticipated a very competitive bout to unfold but to my surprise, this was a systematic one-sided beatdown at the hands of “The Monster” Inoue who received very little resistance from the Champion Stephen. There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and this morning Inoue showed us and the World watching that, skill wise, he was far ahead of the game when placed inside squared circle with Fulton.

Stephen had utterly nothing to deter Inoue from having his way with him inside that squared circle. As great as Fulton is today, he was no match for Inoue and eventually succumbed to a stoppage in the eighth round.

With this convincing win under his belt, Inoue has now captured the WBC/WBO Junior Featherweight Championship Titles making him a four-weight Division Champion. Inoue has once again proven to the World that he’s nothing to play with inside that squared circle.

The 122-Pound Division has now been put on notice. “The Monster” is out here looking for that smoke and driven to Undisputed once again. IBF/WBA Junior Featherweight Champion Marlon Tapales (37-3, 19 Kos), you’re next!

Until then, congratulations Naoya on another convincing win!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jared Anderson vs Charles Martin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Main Event was a homecoming bout set up for the young and upcoming Heavyweight prospect Jared “Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14 Kos) to show off his skills against seasoned veteran and former IBF Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 Kos) at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.

Charles, who accepted the task on 12 days’ notice but was visibly already in great shape, made sure to give Jared a tougher challenge than his previous 14 marks who got dissipated brutally by knockouts.

Jared is a “Big Boy” inside that squared circle with size, strength and a good number of skills that are still developing for a young man his age. Martin had to be strategic with his approach and may have been a little too cautious in the opening rounds restricting his punch output but making Jared work to get his offence going.

That said, it didn’t take long for Jared to land something significant that knocked Martin down in the third round for a quick 8 count but had Martin bounce back still willing and able to stand his ground and put in that work.

Martin’s punch output wasn’t the best but he did manage to connect and stagger Jared at times throughout the bout. As the rounds progressed Martin’s unwillingness to submit to Jared made things inside that squared circle quite entertaining.

For the first time in his professional career to date, Jared was met with a formidable opponent who was battle tested, savvy and willing to go toe to toe, blow for blow and actually give some heat right back to Jared without folding under the pressure of the youngin.

Jared showed growth in this bout and proceeded to get the job done as instructed by his corner man. After 10 fully completed rounds the Judges at hand scored it 99-90, 99-90 and 98-91 unanimously for Jared Anderson. Going the full 10 rounds for the first time in his early career was the best thing that could have happened for Jared. He got in some quality rounds and felt some real heat from an ex-champion that will only make him better the next time out.

Congratulations on your win Jared, last night you got tested inside that squared circle and passed with flying colours. Now on to the next youngin.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez”

WBO Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Main Event showdown between WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 Kos) and Challenger Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 Kos) at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, was a “Takeover” well executed by Teofimo.

There was a lot of trash talking from both combatants throughout the build-up but when the time came, it was Lopez who surprisingly backed up his words inside that squared circle.

Taylor came out the gate real aggressive with bad intentions on his mind but it was Lopez’s well executed “game plan” and ring generalship that controlled the rounds from that point on.

Lopez impressed me last night and came into this bout laser focussed and stayed on track. Josh had absolutely nothing to deter Teofimo from having his way inside that squared circle. As the rounds progressed, Teofimo’s confidence grew round by round.

Lopez showed completely no fear to the man across from him. Taylor, who was naturally the bigger, longer and stronger man inside that squared circle, in my eyes, could not land anything significant enough to win rounds. Taylor’s usual dominance was non-existent and was easily outworked by the younger and driven warrior in Teofimo.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and after 12 fully completed rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 unanimously for Teofimo Lopez, the New WBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion of the World and now a two-weight Division Champion.

Well done, Teofimo. You defied the odds and silenced the critics who doubted you. You dominated the night and clearly defeated the former Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion to now becoming the “Top Dogg” of 140-Pound Division.

Who’s next?

Blaze

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 Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

Last night’s highly anticipated Top Rank/ESPN PPV Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 Kos) and mandatory challenger Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-3, 11 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

It was evident from round one that Devin quickly realized that he was in there with a hungry and motivated Loma who brought the heat and his extensive experience inside that squared circle.

Styles make fights and last night both combatant dug deep into their arsenal going toe to toe and blow for blow trying to get an advantage at any cost. Loma looked exceptionally strong and applied the most pressure in my eyes. Loma showed absolutely no fear and constantly initiated the offence not waiting for a counter from Devin.

Devin stood his ground and hit the body quite well but definitely looked surprised by how strong and witty Loma was inside that squared circle. At times Devin looked bewildered, not knowing how to deter Loma from applying such controlled aggression. Devin may have been the bigger and longer fighter on the night but Loma found a way in and neutralized Devin’s noticeable advantages.

Both combatants put in that work and it was a back-and-forth type battle round after round keeping it real tight to call but to me Loma asserted himself as the aggressor with the most controlled activity with punches landed round by round.

After 12 fully completed, exciting rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 unanimously for Devin Haney.

Judging by the scorecard handed in, it was evident that the work being done inside that squared circle by both combatants made it hard to call but truth be told, I can’t sit here and honestly say that Devin was the clear winner here and disregard the heavy work that Loma administered on the night. Loma turned back the clock on this one and stole the show if you ask me.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang”

WBO Interim-Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 Kos) and challenger Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 kos) at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, Uk, was a case of a cherry pick by Joe’s team gone wrong. Real Talk!

Joyce walked inside that squared circle with absolutely no respect for his opponent but quickly found out within minutes of the first round that he was in there with a “Big Bang” of an opponent who was gamed and willing to bang toe-to-toe with the “Juggernaut”.

Zhang stood his ground early and asserted himself quite well-hitting Joyce flush with some serious heavy shots straight to the dome and drawing first blood from his nose. It was clear to me from the first two rounds that Joyce’s team definitely drew up the wrong “game plan” cause Joyce was there boxing but looking shaky every time he got hit hard.

It was certainly unfamiliar ground for Joyce who was caught off guard at the receiving end of a game warrior. Zhang showed absolutely no fear inside that squared circle. Zhang welcomed the opportunity presented to him and broke Joyce down round by round.

Although Joyce looked more active with his hands, it was Zhang who was doing the most damage with his. Zhang’s power punches completely closed Joyce’s right eye out prompting the ring physician to check his eye in between rounds to eventually having the referee stop the bout in the sixth round.

Nobody in attendance expected this bout to unravel like this but tonight the “Juggernaut” had met his match and succumbed to the hands of the “Big Bang” Zhang.

Congratulations Zhilei Zhang on becoming the New WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion of the World. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino”

Lightweight WBC Eliminator

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between former Two-Division Champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 Kos) and Shuichiro Yoshino (16-1, 12 Kos) was quite an impressive introduction that Shakur needed to announce himself to the world in the 135-Pound Division in his own backyard at the Prudential Center in Newark Newark, N.J.

The hard-hitting Yoshino did not expect to deal with this version of Stevenson inside that squared circle. It didn’t take long to notice that Shakur was the stronger combatant of the night. This version of Shakur was fiercer and aggressive with a come forward style of offense that only comes out from time to time and last night, Stevenson was on full display from all angle.

I personally expected Shakur to deal with some type of resistance but every time Yoshino attempted to press the action, he was at the receiving end of Shakur’s able ready heavy shots that eventually dropped him in the second and fourth round for a quick 8 count.

Stevenson uncharacteristically stood his ground from the jump and bullied the supposedly stronger combatant round after round and eventually breaking him down to the point where the referee saw no other option but to halt the bout saving Yoshino from any further unnecessary abuse in the sixth round.

With this very convincing win now under his belt, Shakur has officially put the Lightweight Division on notice. He personally called out the Undefeated Undisputed Lightweight Champion Devin Haney, since this win was a WBC title eliminator placing him in route to an inevitable showdown with the Champ.

Shakur is looking for that smoke and will not be denied.

Until then, congratulations Shakur on a very impressive win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Robeisy Ramirez vs Isaac Dogboe”

Vacant WBO Featherweight Title

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 Kos) and Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 Kos) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa was a one-sided showcase by the Two-Time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy. Real Talk!

Dogboe came in fit, ready as usual and gamed to throwdown but was met with a superior opponent with exceptional skills who managed to negate every attempt thrown at him. Ramirez was visibly the better skilled athlete inside that squared circle who always seemed one step ahead at all times.

Even when Dogboe would have a slim moment of success Ramirez would simply outwork him and secure the rounds. Dogboe did his best and tried to assert himself at every opportunity but Ramirez’s slick footwork and accurate punches kept Dogboe looking desperate and confused as the rounds progressed.

In the championship rounds Dogboe continued to press the action but to no avail and managed to get dropped in the 12th round for a quick 8 count clearly handing the round to Ramirez.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 119-110, 118-109 and 117-110 unanimously for Robeisy Ramirez.

Robeisy, who walked inside that squared circle with the aura of a Champion, successfully completed the task at hand to become the New WBO Featherweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Robeisy on an exceptional performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

A very intriguing matchup has officially been announced. Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (29-0, 15 Kos) will once again be defending his hard-earned hardware against the highly rated Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-2, 11 Kos) on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

This is a bout that Devin has been calling for since way back to 2019 but to no avail; however, now that he is the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World, the call for the matchup has miraculously been answered.

Lomachenko’s personal goal is to become the Undisputed lightweight Champion of the World but in order to achieve this, he will need to defeat the young King presently reigning at the top of the 135-Pound Division and pry away all the jewels from Devin.

This will be a formidable task for Lomachenko. Devin has improved dramatically over the years and has grown in strength and leveled up skill wise. Devin’s confidence is at an all-time high right now and being an Undefeated Undisputed Champion brings out an aura of invincibility that he plans on keeping and he will not be denied a victory on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Both combatants are highly skilled and both have strength and drawbacks that can be exploited by one another with the right “game plan”. I expect a high-level chess match come fight night when both warriors grace the inside of the squared circle and battle it out for the Undisputed Crown of the Lightweight Division.

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Emanuel Navarrete vs Liam Wilson”

Vacant WBO Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN+ Main Event between WBC Featherweight Champion Emanuel Navarrete (37-1, 31 Kos) and challenger Liam Wilson (11-2, 7 Kos) definitely brought the fans in attendance at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona to their feet.

It was a very intriguing bout where the highly favourite Navarrete got tested early and probably underestimated his opponent when he got dropped and hurt badly in the fourth round but still managed to survive the onslaught coming at him.

With a strong fourth decisive round in the bank for Liam, his confidence grew from that point on but was still unable to capitalize fully as the rounds progressed. Navarrete definitely stepped his game up but still left himself quite open to some unnecessary shots due to his awkward style.

Navarrete’s lack of respect for defense was quite apparent but his high-volume offense and power shots undeniably make up for it as he usually overwhelms his opponents into submission.

As the rounds progressed both combatants exchanged good shots but it was Navarrete who seemed to take control in the later rounds. By the ninth round the inevitable occurred when Navarrete decided to put his punches together and chased down Wilson with a detonating right hand to the dome that dropped a badly hurt Liam for an 8 count that saw him rise up to his feet only to succumb to a barrage of unanswered punches from head to body pinned on the ropes and forcing the referee to put a stop to the bout.

It was a tougher bout then expected for Navarrete who got tested on the night but his higher work rate throughout the bout got the job done in a convincing fashion.

With this win Navarrete became a Three Division World Champion and the new WBO Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Being that Emanuel is also the WBC Featherweight Champion and now WBO Super Featherweight Champion, he will have 10 days to inform the WBO sanctioning body of which Division he will be campaigning at as Champion in the future.

Blaze