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

On The Watch “It’s All About Artur Beterbiev vs Anthony Yarde”

IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Championship Showdown

Canada stand Up! Tonight’s BT Sport/ESPN + Main Event between IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 Kos) and mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 Kos) at the OVO Arena in London England, definitely lived up to the hype! Real Talk!

This bout was a competitive battle right from the jump with both combatants feeling each other out and working on their respective game plan round by round. Both warriors looked strong and fit and ready for war. To me Beterbiev came out as the aggressor unlike what Anthony predicted prior to the build-up which was very surprising. Anthony felt he would be the one dictating how the bout would unfold but things quickly changed as the rounds progressed and he eventually felt Artur’s power.

Both combatants threw leather with intention to hurt each other by visibly marking each other with some very good shots but it was Artur who seemed to me to have the more telling effect as the rounds progressed.

The home-grown fighter Anthony stood his ground and represented his country to the fullest but clearly found himself in a dog fight as the rounds advanced. Both combatants were going blow for blow administering some serious damage but as the rounds developed it was Anthony who seemed to fade with fatigue in my eyes.

Anthony boxed beautifully but the pressure Beterbiev was moving in with was definitely breaking Anthony down slowly but effectively. By the eight round, the inevitable was on the horizon and when Beterbiev connected with two heavy, well-placed right hands to the dome and dropped Anthony, the writing was already on the wall.

Although Anthony rose to his feet after the standing eight count, he looked confused and defeated but proceeded to continue absorbing further punishment from Beterbiev which then quickly prompted Anthony’s corner to halt the bout.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and although Beterbeiv was the elder of the two combatants it was his durability and his experience that carried him over this tough battle.

With this win Artur maintained his perfect knockout ratio along with his IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Titles patiently waiting for the opportunity at undisputed with WBA Super Light heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 Kos).

Congratulations Artur on another destructive performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler”

Undisputed Bantamweight Championship

The first-ever Undisputed Bantamweight Champion in the four-belt era was crowned last night when Undefeated Unified WBA/WBC/IBF and Ring Magazine Champion Naoya Inoue (24-0, 21 Kos) took on WBO Champion Paul Butler (34-3, 15 Kos) and completely outclassed him in front of his hometown at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

I expected to see two warrior Champions go blow for blow inside that squared circle vying for that Undisputed Crown but instead I witnessed the “Monster” Inoue establish immediate fear into his opponent causing him to retreat into survivor mode from round 1 and on.

For Butler to travel from the United Kingdom to Tokyo and not perform like the Champion that he is, was very disappointing. Butler talked a good game from the jump but failed miserably when faced head on with Inoue inside that squared circle.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and clearly Inoue was 10 notches above Butler who had absolutely no answer and lacked a “game plan” to contain or deter the stronger, faster, smarter combatant from having his way with him inside that squared circle.

Inoue’s punches were thumping with accuracy round by round and even when Butler attempted to utilize the ring by moving away, he was met with an aggressive flurry of punches at every corner. Butler looked like a moving punching bag trying to survive a never-ending onslaught.

Entering the 11th round Inoue was ready to close the show and close the show he did when the crowd in attendance rallied behind their star, motivating him to punish his opponent with a flurry of body to head shots breaking Butler down who was unable to answer the count by the referee.

Although Butler did not behave like a Champion on this night, he did prove to be a tough Dude to withstand such a one-sided beatdown for eleven rounds at the hands of Naoya “Monster” Inoue – the New Undisputed WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF and Ring Magazine Bantamweight Champion of the world.

Congratulations Naoya on you latest history making accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Teofimo Lopez vs Sandor Martin”

WBC Junior Lightweight Eliminator

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Main Event between Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 Kos) and Sandor Martin (40-3, 13 Kos) at Madison Square Garden, New York wasn’t quite the “TAKEOVER” by Teofimo that the fans in attendance expected.

Teofimo was inside that squared circle with a slick defensive southpaw in Sandor who was able to defuse and frustrate Lopez all night long. What Teofimo had in mind did not unfold as planned. The “game plan” constructed by Teofimo’s corner never really got a chance to see the light of day.

Sandor hadn’t come to New York just to lay down for Teofimo, as a matter of fact it was Sandor who actually dropped Teofimo for a quick 8 count in the second round forcing Lopez to step his game up from that point on.

Lopez tried round by round but it was painfully obvious that frustration was getting the best of him as Sandor boxed and moved disabling Lopez from ever catching a proper flow throughout the bout.

Although Teofimo was the aggressor of the two combatants inside that squared circle, Lopez’s body language showed me he was the defeated fighter, irritated that he wasn’t able to get Sandor out of there.

After 10 fully completed rounds, the Judges at hand scored it 97-92 and 96-93 for Lopez and the third Judge 95-94 for Martin, giving the split decision to Teofimo Lopez.

Although Teofimo won the bout, the lack of focus and confidence displayed by Lopez last night lets me know that he’s going to have to step his game up in a major way if he still has aspirations of ever being a full fledged Champion in the Junior Lightweight Division because them “Boys” at the top of the food chain do not play with their food and this version of Teofimo is looking like food ready to be taken.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze