On The Watch ”It’s All About Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov”

Heavyweight Showdown

In tonight’s Netflix Main Event we saw the return of Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (35-2-1, 24 Kos) get some much-needed rounds in when he took on our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov (21-3, 19 Kos) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

I expected our towering and strong Arslanbek to at least put up a good fight but what transpired was very disappointing to say the least. Our so called “Lion” showed up as a “cub” who refused to listen to the instructions that his cornerman was dishing out to help direct him within the rounds.

Arslanbek lunged, grabbed and smothered his own work with very little skill displayed making the bout very ugly but perfect for Tyson who hadn’t graced the inside of a ring in 16 months, to stick his jab and move in and out all night.

Arslanbek, who looked the part, gassed out early in the rounds whereas Tyson, who didn’t look in peak physical shape, had the stamina and the punch output to keep Arslanbek confused and powerless inside that squared circle.

Arslanbek, who has power of his own, couldn’t land anything damaging enough to slow down “The Gypsy King” from having his way with him. Aside for showing a strong will to survive, Arslanbek got hit with uppercuts, body shots and jabs round after round.

This was a one-sided beatdown where Arslanbek pretty much showed up to collect a cheque and nothing else. After 12 labouring rounds of unrepresentative action the Judges at hand scored it 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 unanimously for the Tyson Fury.

Although Tyson clearly won this bout, this was by no means a performance to be screaming out “The Gypsy King” is back. Who’s next?

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis”

Welterweight Showdown

In tonight’s Netflix Co-Main Event Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (25-1, 14 Kos) brought up former Junior Welterweight Champion Regis Prograis (30-4, 24 Kos) to a catchweight of 150 lbs and attempted to have a showcase type of a night but was met with some stiff resistance when he graced the inside of that squared circle at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Conor and many boxing pundits expected a quick night of action but instead received a tougher outing than expected. Surprisingly, Regis stood his ground and fought fire with fire with the bigger combatant and managed to bloody Conor up but you could clearly see that Regis punch output and legs were a thing of the past as the rounds progressed.

Conor was his aggressive self, trying to pressure Regis as much as he could but his timing was off and at times creating openings for Regis who did his best to capitalize whenever the opportunity presented itself. Regis had some moments but not enough to sway the rounds his way. 

As the rounds continued to progress Conor pushed the pace as best he could but failed to get Regis out of there as his stubbornness refused to let himself get bullied by the bigger man inside that squared circle.

Fatigue, low punch output and simply not having any legs is what eventually did Regis in as Conor was able to close the later rounds with more damage and authority to separate himself from Regis.

Nevertheless, after 10 rounds of action all three Judges scored it 98-92 unanimously for Conor Benn.

Although Conor clearly won this bout, this performance raised a lot of unanswered questions.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia”

WBC Welterweight Showdown

A focussed and more matured Ryan Garcia is a dangerous man and that is who we witnessed at last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN Main Event when WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios (29-2-2, 18 Kos) defended his title against a hungry looking Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 Kos) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Ryan established himself early in the first round after dropping Mario with a well-placed right hand to the dome giving him a standing 8 count and that was a perfect introduction to Ryan’s power.  That one moment in the bout was a game changer as it dictated from the jump how this bout was going to unfold.

Ryan looked sharp, fit, strong and was very accurate with his punch output and visibly more active than what we’re used to seeing from him. Ryan’s ring generalship was on full display. Ryan showed the bigger man absolutely no respect inside that squared circle and dominated the champion from every angle.

That being said, Mario had the wrong “game plan” on the night and looked a shell of himself for it. Ryan’s jab was on point the entire night and Mario had absolutely no clue how to deter Ryan from having success against him. The speed and the power of Ryan’s jab was too much for Mario to contend with. The work rate that Ryan brought inside that squared circle could not be matched by Mario.

After twelve full rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand had an easy night of scoring this bout 120-107, 119-108 and 118-109, unanimously for Ryan Garcia.      

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and last night Ryan showed the world what a disciplined “King Ry” can accomplish when dedicated. With this dominant performance under his belt, Ryan has now captured his first World Title as the New WBC Welterweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Ryan. This was by far your best performance to date.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson”

WBO Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN Main Event between WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13 Kos) and WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 Kos) was a one-sided affair that favoured the challenger who was moving up in weight at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Real Talk!

Solving the puzzle that Shakur presented is a tough task but entering that squared circle opposite of him without a full proof “game plan” with different options to go along with is diabolical and that is exactly what Teofimo did on the night.

Judging from the first few rounds it was clear that Teofimo and his dad had absolutely no clue on how to break the Shakur Stevenson code. Shakur did say that this was going to be easy work but what transpired was just unexpected pure dominance.

Teofimo looked lost from the jump even when Shakur made it easy for him by standing right in front of him jabbing his head off with an accurate punch that couldn’t miss the target. Shakur showed Teofimo absolutely no respect and no fear as he boxed circles around him round by round.

Shakur systematically disarmed Teofimo with such ease inside that squared circle that it was painful to watch such a decorated champion in Teofimo be humiliated and humbled after talking all that sh*t towards the build-up of this bout and not be able to back any word of it. Real Talk!

Shakur showed us another facet in his arsenal and the boxing IQ needed to always be able to raise the levels when being tested by the so called best.

After 12 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand had absolutely no problem scoring this bout unanimously 119-109 in favor of Shakur Stevenson.

With this impressive performance, Shakur singlehandedly elevated his star status to Superstar on the come up and snatched the WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Championship titles from Teofimo in the process, crowning him a Four-Division Champion.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Keyshawn Davis vs Jamaine Ortiz”

Junior Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN Co-Main Event was an introduction to the Junior Welterweight Division for former WBO Lightweight Champion Keyshawn Davis (14-0, 10 Kos) who challenged Jamaine Ortiz (23-3-1, 10 Kos) and passed the test with flying colors.

Jamaine, a formidable opponent, came in this bout very confident and was ready to dish out a beating on Keyshawn but might have underestimated him as the rounds progressed. Keyshawn stood his ground and fought fire with fire showing absolutely no fear inside that squared circle.

Jamaine thought he could bully the smaller opponent who was coming up in weight but soon found out that Keyshawn was built different and possessed some power with a pin point accuracy that seriously troubled him round by round.

As the rounds progressed it was clear that Keyshawn was breaking Jamaine down as his movements began to slow down whenever Keyshawn pressed the action. Keyshawn’s punches from head to body were taking a toll on Jamaine who tried desperately to stay on survivor mode but he eventually got dropped with a mean body shot to a standing 8 count in the eleventh round but he made it out.

By the twelve round the inevitable was written. Keyshawn continued his assault from head to body and eventually landed the right body shot that shut the show down indefinitely in the last 20 seconds of the round prompting the referee to halt the bout.

With this impressive win, Keyshawn has officially announced himself to the Junior Welterweight Division but he may be looking to bring his talent to the Welterweight Division towards the Champions for his next conquest.

Until then, well done Keyshawn.    

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson”

WBO Junior Welterweight Challenge

A very intriguing matchup in the Junior Welterweight Division has officially been announced concerning the WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 Kos) and WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 Kos), who will be moving up in weight for this challenge to the 140-Pound Division on the Ring VI card as the Main Event on Saturday January 31, 2026, in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Both combatants consider themselves elite warriors who are at their utmost prime of their respective careers, willing to lay it all on the line to determine who truly is the best of the best. Skill for skill, both combatants have the goods to cancel each other out, but trash talk aside they will have to settle their differences inside that squared circle.

As of right now, the odd makers don’t see this bout as a 50/50 and favor Shakur the defensive genius to upset the Champion. As much as Teofimo relishes the thought of being the underdog, he will have to execute a flawless “game plan” and be focussed from start to finish to defeat Shakur because one slip up in this bout could cost him dearly.

I have no doubt Shakur will be properly prepared to deal with Teofimo’s style, but it will be interesting to see just how well prepared Teofimo is to deal with this defensive wizard of an opponent on fight night. Style wise Shakur is all wrong for Teofimo but he’s been tested before and prevailed when counted out.

Tune in Saturday night January 31, 2026, live on DAZN from Madison Square Garden in New York City and witness this electrifying Championship bout unfold.

Blaze

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

WBC Light Heavyweight Showdown

The Main Event at “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” between WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David Benavidez (31-0, 25 Kos) and challenger Anthony Yarde (27-4, 24 Kos) did not disappoint as this was another showcase type of a fight for “The Monster Bandera Roja” at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Real Talk!

Yarde came in this bout looking fit and strong as usual and beaming with confidence but lacked the proper “game plan” to derail the “The Mexican Monster” from having his way with it. Yarde found out first hand what the moniker “The Mexican Monster” really means.

Being under pressure with an aggressive combatant under the bright lights, has a way of making you rethink your approach and that is exactly what happened when things got heavy in there with Yarde.

Going toe-to-toe with “The Mexican Monster” while not being properly prepared is a death trap which suits David perfectly fine since he usually thrives on his opponent’s aggression. Yarde stood his ground and tried to bang as best he could but eventually crumbled in round seven to a standing 8 count and a two-point deduction for David for hitting Yarde after his knee touched the canvas.  That being said, the inevitable was near, Yarde got up but continued receiving an onslaught of unanswered shots and looked visibly shook prompting the referee to jump in and stop the bout.

There are levels to this boing sh*t and in Yarde’s third attempt at a title he found out the hard way where he stands in the hierarchy of the Light Heavyweight Division.

With this win David retained his WBC Light Heavyweight Championship and continues his winning streak, anticipating his next challenge.   

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Brian Norman Jr. vs Devin Haney”

WBO Welterweight Showdown

The Co Main Event on “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” between undefeated WBO World Champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 Kos) and undefeated former two Division Champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (33-0, 15 Kos) was an intriguing bout at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the challenger silenced all the naysayers who doubted.

Both camps talked a good game towards the build-up of this bout but it was the Haney camp who had the last word by the way Devin proceeded to disarm Brian from all angles inside that squared circle.

I anticipated that Brian would bring the “HEAT” to Devin in a bullyish way inside that squared circle but to my surprise Devin was well prepared and focussed for that action and neutralized Brian from ever getting any type of traction at any time throughout the duration of the bout.

It was a one-sided boxing clinic by Devin who made the Champion look amateurish and dropped Brian early in the second round to earn his respect. That was the moment when Brian’s “game plan” went out the window.

Brian talked a good game and made some tough claims he couldn’t deliver on but Devin stayed true to his word and talked it like he walked it. Devin showed levels above his competition and delivered on the night and for that I gotta tip my “B” had to “The Dream”.

After 12 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand called it 117-110, 116-111 and 114-113 unanimously for Devin Haney.

With this convincing win Devin has now claimed a Championship in three different continents, the new WBO Welterweight Champion and became a three-Division Champion. Well done!

Congratulations Devin on another great accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes”

Vacant WBO World Lightweight Challenge

First up in last night’s “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” were two undefeated warriors in Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17 Kos) and Sam Noakes (17-1, 15 Kos) vying for the Vacant WBO World Lightweight Title at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and boy did these two combatants put on a hell of a show. Real Talk!

Mason, who was the favourite on the night, walked in this bout full of confidence thinking this was going to be easy work but soon found out from the jump that Noakes wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Noakes proved to be a tougher combatant than his previous challengers because on this night Noakes brought the “HEAT” and forced Mason into a toe-to-toe type fight that his father/coach did not want for his son. Mason literally threw away the “game plan” and slugged it out with Noakes and brought the house up to their feet with the way these two tough warriors exchanged gloves from round to round.

A determined Mason dug deep and withstood all that was coming at him but gave out more of his own by pressing the action further in the championship rounds with some serious body and head shots clearly breaking the resilient Noakes down who refused to quit.

After 12 full rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-111, 115-111 and 115-111 unanimously for Abdullah Mason.

With this convincing win Mason picked up the Vacant WBO World Lightweight Title crowning him the youngest current male World Champion at 21 years old.

Congratulations Champ. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night our own Canadian representative, undefeated Christian Mbilli (30-0-1, 24 Kos) put his WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title on the line when he took on heavy-handed, undefeated challenger Lester Martinez (19-0-1, 16 Kos) on the undercard of the Canelo vs Crawford at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Them two combatants did not disappoint and definitely brought the “Heat” at the sound of the first bell when they touched gloves inside that squared circle. Both warriors knew what was at stake and proceeded to bang toe-to-toe with neither combatant giving up any breathing room while thrusting heavy leather at one another phone booth style from head to body.

I personally think that Martinez expected Mbilli to be easy work considering most of his opponents folded whenever they felt his power but he soon found out that Mbilli was not one to be taken lightly as his high-octane offense and his resiliency was a serious problem round by round.

Martinez had no choice but to match Mbilli’s energy making that bout that much all the more intriguing and competitive as the rounds progressed.  It was a tough back and forth that clearly entertained the fans in attendance.

Both combatants had their moments with neither showing signs of backing down at any point. That being said, after 10 hard rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it a draw, unable to pinpoint a clear winner on the night.

With this outcome, Christian Mbilli retained his WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title and still maintained his undefeated record while Lester Martinez proved his case at being a serious problem to content with in the 168-Pound Division.

Blaze