On The Watch “It’s All About Michel Rivera vs Frank Martin”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night’s Showtime Main Event between undefeated Michel Rivera (24-1, 14 Kos) and undefeated Frank Martin (17-0, 12 Kos) unfolded in a very unpredictable fashion at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Both combatants came out the gate confident and attempting to work out their respective “game plans” but as the rounds progressed, Frank is the one who shined round by round by applying nonstop pressure with a set of heavy hands making it very hard for Rivera to establish any type of comfort inside that squared circle aside from his jab which was good, but lacked volume to deter Martin.

Both combatants showed exceptional skills but as the rounds’ progressed Frank was clearly ahead securing each and every one of them. Michel had met his match. Frank was simply too slick, stronger, faster and the one controlling the action inside that squared circle.

Desperation was mounting in Rivera’s corner and by round seven Frank took the lead and never looked back when he dropped Rivera to the floor for a quick 8 count. It was at that moment when Rivera looked defeated.

There was no coming back for Rivera. As the rounds continued to pile up, Martin continued to dominate in a very convincing but impressive way. After 12 fully completed rounds, the Judges at hand scored it 120-107, 118-109 and 117-110 all in favour of Frank Martin.

It was a clear shutout by the rising contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin who has now put the 135-Pound Division on notice that he’s coming for all that smoke and looking for that work. Man Down!

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

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 Devin Haney vs George Kambosos Jr. II”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

Last night’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship Top Rank/ESPN Main Event, was a continuation of sheer dominance by the King of the Lightweight Division Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/ Ring Magazine Champion Devin Haney (29-0, 15 Kos) when he successfully defended his belts against George Kambosos Jr. (20-2, 10 Kos) in a rematch at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

This was a necessary evil that needed to be put to bed due to a contractual obligation that bided Devin to revisit this unwarranted bout. That said, Devin proceeded to silence the Australian fans once again by outshining the once upon a time self-proclaimed Emperor, and causing him to bow down to the superior opponent inside that squared circle on that night.

This time around George came out with a different “game plan” geared at first sight to confuse the Champ. It didn’t take long for Devin to crack that code. There are levels to this boxing sh*t and Devin showed us that night that he is levels above Kambosos by easily dismantling his opponent from head to body.

There was absolutely nothing Kambosos could do to deter Devin from having his way inside that squared circle. Devin was sitting on his punches and walking through George like a punching bag. Devin’s work rate was efficient and dominant round by round.

It was too painfully obvious that Devin’s boxing IQ, speed and distance inside that squared circle were too much for George to overcome as the rounds progressed.

After 12 full rounds of nonstop one-sided punishment, the Judges at hand scored it 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110 unanimously for Devin Haney the Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/ Ring Magazine Champion of the World.

The “Dream” will once again continue to take on all comers waiting in line to dethrone Devin Haney, the Undisputed King of the Lightweight Division.

Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall”

IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Unified Middleweight Championship Showdown

Tonight’s highly anticipated Sky Sports/Boxxer Main Event between IBF/WBA/WBC Middleweight Champion Claressa Shields (13-0, 2 Kos) and WBO World Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall (12-1, 10 Kos) was a bout that represented the best of the best on the biggest platform of them all.

The self-proclaimed GWOAT of women’s boxing walked it like she talked it and asserted herself right from the jump and took it straight to Savannah who had absolutely no answer to Claressa’s non-stop action.

Although Savannah was the bigger combatant inside that squared circle, it was Claressa who pressed the action from start to finish making it real unconfutable for Savannah to establish any type of consistent offensive attack. Real Talk!

Claressa’s high-volume punches prevented Savannah from settling in with her strong jab. For every jab Savannah landed Claressa answered with flurries of punches making every round that much harder for Savannah to establish her own “game plan”.

Claressa was focussed and on point round by round physically and mentally ready for everything Savannah was throwing at her. Claressa showed the World tonight what she was all about inside that squared circle. Savannah was in a real fight tonight and had no proper “game plan” to deter Claressa from having her way with her.

After 10 full rounds of non-stop action, the Judges at hand called it 96-94, 97-93, 97 -93 unanimously for Claressa Shields – the New Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO and Ring Magazine Middleweight Champion of the World. A beautiful display of boxing at its finest by the self-proclaimed GWOAT of women boxing to date.

Congratulations Claressa on another dominating performance. You truly are women’s boxing at its finest. Good luck to the competitors attempting to dethrone you.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Alycia Baumgardner vs Mikaela Mayer”


IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO Super Featherweight Unification Championship Showdown

Tonight’s Sky Sports/Boxxer Unification championship bout between Super Featherweight Champion IBF/WBO/Ring Magazine Mikaela Mayer (17-1, 5 Kos) and WBC/IBO Champion Alycia Baumgardner (13-1, 7 Kos) put it all on the line as co Main Event at the 02 Arena in London and did not disappoint.

This highly anticipated grudge match unraveled as a highly played out chess match with both girls executing their respected “game plan” round by round to a “T”. However, Alycia asserted herself as the aggressor right from the jump pressuring Mikaela with some very good combinations making it real uncomfortable for Mikaela to assess.

That being said, Mikaela did eventually figure out her range and jab her way out to make this fight quite interesting as the rounds progressed.

Both girls were letting their hands go from the phone booth to the outside administering some heavy blows coming from both sides. It was a calculative bout from the jump and both girls had their moments.

At times, both girls fought with caution making it real hard to call a clear winner of some rounds but after 10 full rounds of action the Judges at hand had a tough decision to make but called it 97-93 for Mikaela and 96-95 twice for Alycia making her the winner by split decision and New Unified IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO and Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Both combatants talked enough trash before this big night but it was Alycia Baumgardner who managed to pull off the narrow close win to walk away the Unified Super Featherweight Champion.

Well done, Alycia, you have clearly established yourself as the No. 1
Featherweight Champion of the Division. Undisputed is definitely in your near future.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker”

WBO Interim Heavyweight Title

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotion Main Event between Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 Kos) and former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker (30-3, 21 Kos) was a hell of a dominating performance by the “Juggernaut” at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Tonight, Joe stayed true to his moniker “The Juggernaut” and ran through the durable opponent Parker with steady offense that couldn’t be deterred. Joe’s offensive pressure was too much for Parker to contain round by round. I’m not sure what kind of “game plan” Parker’s team had in mind but judging by what transpired inside that squared circle, Parker’s “game plan” was non-existent by the way he was getting manhandled by Joe inside that squared circle.

Parker’s approach was all wrong, thinking he could stand there going toe to toe with a wrecking ball like Joe Joyce was the absolute means to his demise. Joe Joyce was simply too big, too strong and simply too durable to be handled in such a crazy manner.

Parker showed some courage in attempting to go blow for blow with “The Juggernaut” but being at the receiving end of a steady heavy accurate jab, has a funny way of ending wrong for the opponent getting abused round by round.

It was quite evident that as the rounds progressed Parker’s confidence was starting to dwindle round by round. Parker had absolutely no answer to Joe’s steady onslaught and after being battered and beaten up from start to finish, Parker eventually succumbed to a heavy left hook to the dome that put him down for the count prompting the referee to halt the bout in the 11th round.

Joe’s jab was key at breaking down Parker from top to bottom. The “Juggernaut” has once again proven to be a serious problem to the Heavyweight Division by easily dismantling a worthy top 5 Heavyweight with such ease.

With this convincing win Joe has now picked up the WBO Interim Heavyweight Title, positioning himself to a clear path to a date with the Undefeated Unified IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksander Usyk (20-0, 13 kos).

Congratulations Joe, you are definitely on the right path to the Heavyweight Mountain top.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Robsen Conceicao”


WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Lightweight Championship

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Main Event between former WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (19-0, 9 Kos) and Robsen Conceicao (17-2, 8 Kos) was simply a showcase type of an event for the homegrown combatant Shakur at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Due to Shakur missing weight for the contested bout of 130 pounds, Shakur was stripped of his WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Lightweight Championship belts and was unable to defend them as Champion.

That being said, the bout continued as planned and Shakur proceeded to put on a hell of a performance in front of his hometown fans by easily dismantling his opponent like it was a sparring session.

No disrespect to Robson, who is a highly decorated Olympian and a very worthy opponent for Shakur, fell miserably short in his second attempt at a potential title opportunity.

What looked good on paper turned out to be a mismatch from start to finish. Robson simply did not have the right “game plan” to take such a skillful combatant like Shakur.

Shakur’s surprising approach was to walk down and go through Robson’s offense with ease. Shakur hardly moved around the ring as he usually does and instead stood his ground going toe to toe administering non- contested punches to his opponent at will. That approach took Conceicao by surprise and left him bewildered and confused throughout the entire bout.

Whatever Conceicao did manage to land on Shakur had absolutely no effect whatsoever in deterring the Champ from having his way inside that squared circle. Shakur’s dominance from start to finish was impressive. Although Shakur was unable to stop Conceicao within the 12-round bout, his total dominance of his opponent could not be denied. Shakur was simply too big, too strong, too savvy inside that squared circle.

The Judges for the night had absolutely no trouble in scoring this bout 119-108, 118-108 and 117-109 unanimously for Shakur Stevenson.

Another easy night for the Kid – now on to new challenges at the 135-Pound Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Gennadiy Golovkin III”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event trilogy bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 Kos) and Middleweight WBA/WBC Champion Gennadiy Golovkin (42-2-1, 37 Kos) who moved up to Super Middleweight, finally got put to bed once and for all.

Having seen two previously intriguing outings between Canelo and Golovkin, this version of “GGG” who showed up last night inside that squared circle was a shell of himself in my eyes. It was clear from the jump that Canelo was the aggressor proceeding with the “game plan” at hand while in a surprising way, Golovkin seemed tentative and unsure about how to proceed with his own “game plan”. Golovkin’s pistol jab was missing in action throughout the bout. His punch output was non-existent for most of the night.

Canelo was pretty much having his way round after round. His quickness and punch output were keeping Golovkin in retreat mode enabling him to get into any type of rhythm with his offence. Both combatants looked physically fit and ready to throw down but it was Canelo who had that focussed look of hunger and determination in his eyes.

As skillful as Golovkin is as an elite fighter, last night he looked slow, unsure, disengaged with no sense of urgency at what was unfolding inside that squared circle. Golovkin had absolutely no answer in trying to deter Canelo from having his way inside that squared circle. Thar said, Golovkin finally showed signs of the old “GGG” in the later rounds when he suddenly started to press the action by being a little more active with some aggression to gain some type of traction going his way.

It was the right idea but by then Canelo had already bagged enough deciding rounds to secure the bout. Golovkin put up a good effort in the championship rounds but a little too late in my eyes to sway the Judges. After twelve fully completed rounds the Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

This scorecard does not reflect what transpired inside that squared circle. The right combatant unquestionably won this bout but for these Judges to say this bout was that close of a fight is disrespectful to the winner. Canelo convincingly won this bout by a long slide Hands Down! The Chapter of Canelo vs Golovkin is officially closed.

With this conclusive win, Canelo successfully retained his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Championship Titles.

Congratulations Canelo on another great performance.

Blaze