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 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 Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara”

WBA Super World Featherweight challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBA Super Featherweight Champion Leigh Wood (26-3, 16 Kos) and Mauricio Lara (26-2-1, 19 Kos) was an entertaining bout that had the fans in attendance on their feet at the Nottingham Arena, Nottingham.

The homegrown Nottingham warrior was well prepared for this bout and proceeded to execute their respective “game plan” as the rounds progressed. I was impressed by Leigh for boxing intelligently and not shying away from Lara who I thought started slower than expected but still kept applying nonstop pressure.

Both combatants stayed true to themselves by standing their ground and exchanging some serious leather back and forth making the bout that much more intriguing as the rounds progressed.

Although I personally felt like Leigh was winning the majority of the rounds, exchanging blow for blow with Lara may not have been the best way to tackle this particular opponent.

Mauricio is known to being a tough competitor with sneaky power that can be unleashed unexpectedly if not careful.

That being said, with a competitive seventh round nearing completion Lara was able to connect and drop Leigh with a devastating well placed left hook on the chin for a quick 8 count that saw Wood rise up on his shaky legs convincing the Referee that he was still able to continue. He visibly looked out on his feet which then hastily prompted Leigh’s trainer to throw in the towel to save his fighter from absorbing any further punishment.

As upset as Leigh was with his cornerman stopping the bout, the right decision was made, Leigh was in no condition to continue.

I tip my “B” hat to Leigh Wood for taking this bout as a voluntary defense. You stepped up and took on a tough contender in your first title defense but fell short – there is no shame in your game for trying to prove the naysayers wrong.

As for Mauricio Lara, congratulations are in order. You walked into enemy territory, and silenced the crowd and snatched the belt from the Champion and are now being crowned the new WBA Super World Featherweight Champion of the World.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Amanda Serrano vs Erika Cruz”

Undisputed Featherweight Champion

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event showdown between Unified IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano (44-2-1, 30 Kos) and WBA Super Featherweight Champion Erika Cruz (15-2, 3 Kos) brought the building down at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater with an electrifying performance by both combatants. Real Talk!

These two warriors made the Main Event worth every penny earned that night. Them two Champions knew exactly what was at stake and wasted no time asserting themselves right from the first bell.

Heavy bombs were being dropped from both combatants standing toe to toe and tightly knit with neither opponent showing signs of backing off. However, Amanda was slicker with her movements – boxing and dodging avoiding the onslaught coming her way.

With both combatants exchanging leather in the phone booth style a clash of heads occurred in the third round causing a deep cut on the forehead of Erika but still did not deter her from continuing to drop bombs at every opportunity

Amanda looked good and strong as the rounds progressed. She boxed and moved beautifully while keeping busy with her hands and landing some serious leather. That said Erika’s own shots did get through and eventually cut Amanda on the forehead making the bout that more interesting.

In the championship rounds Amanda showed her superiority and special skill set by out landing and outworking Erika to the punch. Erika showed crazy toughness, refusing to let the blood dripping in her eyes deter her from the task at hand.

After 10 fully contested rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 unanimously for Amanda Serrano.

With this win Amanda collected the WBA Super Featherweight Belt from Erika and retained her IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Championship Titles to now being crowned the first man or woman from Puerto Rico to become Undisputed IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion of the World. Now that’s “The Real Deal”.

Congratulations Amanda on this historical achievement – well-deserved.

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 Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan”

WBA Featherweight Title Defence

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBA Featherweight Champion Leigh Wood (26-2, 16 Kos) and Michael Conlan (16-1, 8 Kos) at the sold-out Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK, surpassed all my expectations and definitely lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

This bout started out with a bang straight from the jump with Conlan catching Leigh with an overhand left straight to the chin dropping him for a quick 8 count in the first round that had him shook and on the recovery for quite a few rounds. Conlan looked fresh and very accurate in the early rounds boxing circles around Leigh but the Champion in Wood bravely stood his ground and fought through the rough patches one round at a time.

As the second half of the bout progressed Leigh started regaining some ground capitalizing on Conlan who was looking visibly fatigued as the later rounds developed.
Although Leigh himself looked to be on shaky legs at times, Wood never stopped pressing the action and continued to apply pressure that showed cause and effect whenever he kept his hands busy enough to trouble Conlan to retreat to the ropes looking for a way out.

By the championship rounds, Leigh continued his pressure on Conlan by simply outworking him at every corner and eventually evened the odds by dropping Conlan with a left hook to the dome for a quick 8 count near the end of the 11th round.

In the final 12th round, Leigh pressured Conlan once again to the ropes and proceeded to unleash a barrage of unanswered punches that eventually knocked out Conlan between the ropes and out of the ring which then prompted the referee to wave an end to the bout.

These types of bouts, when a combatant has to come from behind and worked their way back one round at a time to finish the bout in a convincing fashion, is what builds Champions in my eyes, and tonight Leigh Woods did just that to secure his Championship Title. Unbelievable performance! I tip my “B” hat to both combatants for giving us fans an incredible show.

Congratulations Leigh on retaining your WBA Featherweight Title. You had to dig deep for this one and came out on top. Job well done Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gary Russell Jr. vs Mark Magsayo”

WBC Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Showtime Main Event between WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. (32-2, 18 Kos) and mandatory challenger (24-0, 16 Kos) at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, wasn’t as eventful as we anticipated the bout to be but we did witness the longest reigning active run by a male Champion in boxing come to an end.

It was evident by the low punch output by Gary in the first few rounds that there was something wrong with his shoulder. Gary who is known for throwing multiple punches in bunches was relegated to pot shotting with only his left hand. Although he connected at will whenever he threw it, the overall output just wasn’t there.

Magsayo did what every fighter should do when an opponent is clearly fighting with a visible injury and that is to capitalize on it. Magsayo applied pressure early with power punches coming from all angle.


Gary did a great job at being elusive throughout the bout making it hard on Magsayo to maintain his aggressive approach but the early rounds that Magsayo had already banked in cost him dearly down the line.

Magsayo was visibly the more aggressive fighter with clearly the punch output and connection on his side. Although Gary attempted to sway the Judges with his punch and move “game plan”, after 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 for Mark Magsayo.

With this win Mark Magsayo now becomes the new WBC Featherweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Magsayo on your latest achievement.

Blaze