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

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion

Last night’s Riyadh Season/Netflix Main Event between Undisputed Super Middleweight IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Champion Canelo Alvarez (63-3-2, 30 Kos) and Former two- Division Undisputed Champion and four-time Division Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (42-0, 31 Kos), surpassed all my expectations by the way things unravelled at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.

  This wasn’t a passing of the torch but rather a forceful “Takeover” at the hands of Crawford who systematically disarmed the “Kingpin” on Mexican Independence weekend, in front of

70, 000 fans, possibly the biggest stage he could have performed on in Las Vegas.

I personally anticipated a competitive bout from start to finish but what ‘Bud” brought inside that squared circle was very impressive. Real Talk! If Crawford was a Rubik’s Cube, Canelo had no clue or the proper “game plan” to solve the puzzle.

‘Bud” the smaller man who was moving up in weight, asserted himself quite well and stood his ground and fought the bully toe-to-toe while showing absolutely no fear as the rounds progressed. Crawford boxed and moved and kept his hands busy enough to stop Canelo from ever finding a good enough rhythm to mount a suitable attack.  

Crawford’s respectable power and punch output was key to carrying out their bullet proof “game plan” that had Canelo bewildered and confused round by round. Crawford had the look of a man on a mission and never folded at any time during the bout.  He stayed cool and under control at all times.

At the completion of the bout the Judges at hand scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 unanimously for Terence “Bud” Crawford.

This was a career-defining historical moment where Terence Crawford became the first male combatant to be Undisputed Champion across three weight Divisions in the four-belt era. He slayed the reigning “Kingpin” and snatched away all the jewels of the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championships to now become the Undisputed King of the Super Middleweight Division.

Congratulations Terence, you have definitely placed your name and accomplishments in the GOAT debate, hands down!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship Showdown

Last night’s Heavyweight Championship Main Event was a clinical beatdown by Unified IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 Kos) when he took down yet again, IBF World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 Kos) at the packed house of 90,000 plus fans at Wembley Stadium in London.

Dubois had previously worked his way back to Usyk by beating highly rated Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller and former Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua to capture the IBF World Heavyweight Title that Usyk had vacated. Beaming with confidence after destroying three top Heavyweights in the game back-to-back, Dubois felt the time was right to right the wrong he succumbed to at the hands of Usyk his fist time out and redeem himself.   

That being said, as confident as Dubois felt going inside that squared circle last night, school was in full session from round one by the way Usyk controlled the ring. Dubois’ bullyish ways were ineffective as Usyk was boxing circles around him clearly frustrating him round by round enabling Dubois to properly detonate one of his signature bombs on him.

Dubois had improved in many ways but for some reason when facing Usyk, he looked lost and not properly prepared to handled what was transpiring inside that squared circle. 

 There are levels to this boxing sh*t and anyone facing Usyk inside that squared circle ends up finding out quickly how ahead of the game this man truly is. Usyk may not be known for packing a punch but he definitely knows how to close a show when the opportunity presents itself. The fifth round saw both combatants exchange heavily at one another but it was Usyk who connected first by chinning Dubois and dropping him for a quick standing 8 count only to see Dubois get back on his feet and wrongfully looking to go toe-to-toe with the cerebral assassin Usyk, who was locked and loaded and once again connected with a well-placed left hook right back on the chin of Dubois, dramatically dropping him for the count prompting the referee at hand to call the fight.

This was a beautiful display of greatness at its best. Usyk proved to the world and his peers why he is the true King of the Heavyweight Division, hands down! This win solidified Usyk as a two-time IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Showdown

The first of three press conferences to kick off one of boxing’s most intriguing super fights has officially taken off last Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the announcement of the “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 Kos) defending his Undisputed Super Middleweight IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship Crown against former two Division Undisputed Champion and four Division Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 Kos) on September 13, 2025, at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Live on Netflix.

No one ever anticipated this matchup ever coming to fruition but with the boxing community talking and Terence starting to believe the “HYPE”, it took his Excellency Turki Alalshikh to bring it to reality.

Terence, fresh off winning another title, the WBA Super at the Junior Middleweight Division, will be moving up another two Divisions in pursuit of another challenge and the opportunity to dethrone the “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez and release him of his Undisputed status, becoming the new Undisputed Super Middleweight IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Champion of the World.

This is a tough task for “Bud” but truth be told, this man does not lack confidence and clearly believes that he is the one to get it done. Skill for skill them two warrior’s match up very well on paper but with Canelo being the true Super Middleweight who has been dominating the Division for quite some time as a Champion, it is very unlikely that he will lay down quietly without a tough fight.

Both Champions have a mutual respect (for now) for one another but on fight night, all will be out the window when these two combatants bump gloves inside that squared circle come Saturday night, September 13, 2025, at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Live on Netflix.

Tune in and witness the unthinkable unfold. Who will be the last man standing?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship

The highly anticipated Heavyweight Showdown rematch between Unified Heavyweight Champion IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 Kos) and former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 Kos) lived up to the “HYPE” but not without some controversy at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Usyk came in this bout laser focused and clicking on all cylinders while Fury walked in much heavier and armed with a different “game plan” that had him stand his ground in a much more aggressive manner.

Tyson’s jab was on point and very active at keeping Usyk at bay but not enough to deter him from the task at hand. Usyk fought toe-to-toe with the Big Man and bobbed and weaved as best he could while Fury did his best at maintaining his distance while being more attentive round by round.

Both combatants had their moments round by round but as the fight progressed to the second half of the bout you could see Fury slowing his work rate down probably due the excess weight he was carrying.

Nevertheless, this bout was a highly contested showdown where both combatants had to work through their respective skill sets to cancel out one another in this chess like bout inside that squared circle. Both combatants threw enough leather at one another but the accuracy of the punch output favored Usyk.

This was a very close bout to call from start to finish but after 12 full rounds of action all three Judges at hand scored it unanimously 116-112 for Oleksandr Usyk.

Listen, I don’t have a problem with Usyk being declared the winner, but I personally think that Fury, in his second go around with Usyk did a lot better than being awarded only 4 rounds in this highly competitive bout.

Controversial scores aside, Usyk retained his IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship belts and is still King of the Heavyweight Division.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship

The highly anticipated rematch has officially been announced! Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 Kos) will be attempting his “get back” when he will face the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion but now Unified IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 Kos) on December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

There wasn’t much trash talking done between the two at the press conference but it was clear that Tyson wasn’t looking like someone who wanted to play around. Tyson looked focused and determined to rectify the wrong that transpired on May 18, 2024.

As for Usyk, he walked in that press conference confident as ever looking like the Hitman from the character of the video game Hitman. Insinuating that he will be the hired Hitman to take the “Gypsy King” down once again.

Tyson learned very quickly from their last encounter that Usyk is a different breed, the most highly skilled assassin that he’s ever faced inside that squared circle. In order to beat this man, Tyson will have to be on point from round one and not slip up for one moment.

That being said, the Hitman Usyk will be expecting a highly motivated “Gypsy King” to bring the “HEAT” but Usyk will be fully prepared to defuse and halt the big giant from having his way with him inside that squared circle. That said, Usyk is sublimely making it be known, he’s coming for that knockout. Real Talk!

Speculations aside this second go around will be must see TV so tune in and witness the outcome, December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov”

WBA Junior Middleweight Champion

Last night’s Riyadh Season’s Main Event between former Undisputed Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 Kos) and WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

It was a chess match from the jump where both combatants executed their respective “game plan’ to a ‘T” pushing one another to put their boxing IQ to the test. Although Crawford was the one moving up in weight, he definitely held his own with the bigger fighter Madrimov who constantly pressed the action.

Madrimov was resilient and very patient inside that squared circle but was met with a very strong and determined combatant in Crawford who surprisingly stood his ground and fought him toe-to-toe showing absolutely no fear.

Neither combatant had sole control of the bout but both did have their moments making it really hard to determine a clear winner after every rounds. Madrimov’s punch accuracy was on point while Crawford made sure to answer every call given his way with his own power punches clearly marking Madrimov’s face.

Both combatants made it tough on one another while dishing out hard leather from head to body. If you were one the peeps thinking this bout was going to be a cake walk for Crawford then you were all for a major shock cause that Boy Madrimov took in the challenge with open arms and kept things very interesting round by round.

That being said, Crawford showed us all why he is one of the Pound-for-Pound greats in the game today and possibly closed out the championship rounds in convincing fashion. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 all in favor of Terence “Bud” Crawford.

I tip my ‘B” hat to Israil Madrimov for standing his ground and testing his skills with one of the greats in the game today. You showed up and gave us fans a hell of a fight where you proved all who doubted you that you belong with the top dogs of 154-Pound Division, hands down!

That said, congratulations to Terence for conquering his fourth Division and becoming the new WBA Junior Middleweight Champion and WBO Interim Junior Middleweight Champion as well.

You walk the talk and back it up every time out, good luck to the competition trying to derail this Champion because this version of “Bud” is looking for all the smoke!

Blaze