On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Oscar Valdez”

WBC/WBO Super Featherweight Unification Championship

Last night’s Top Rank’s Main Event Unification bout between WBO Super Featherweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (18-0, 9 Kos) and WBC Super Featherweight Champion Oscar Valdez (30-2, 23 Kos) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, was a clinical beatdown bestowed by Shakur on the biggest night of his career to date. Real Talk!

Shakur’s boxing IQ was on full display last night. I was expecting Shakur to box and move all night but instead Shakur stood his ground right from the jump and patiently dismantled his opponent round by round with a stiff powerful jab that couldn’t miss or be deterred by Valdez, who was stuck all night clueless behind an ineffective high guard that left his face visibly touched up at the end of the night.

Shakur walked it like he talked it and shut down Valdez who looked defeated as the rounds progressed. Valdez was unable to stop Shakur from having his way inside that squared circle. Valdez’s “game plan” or lack thereof was non-existent. Valdez looked lost inside that squared circle with absolutely no guidance from his corner. Unbelievable.


Shakur was always two steps ahead of Valdez all night. Stevenson stood his ground and beat the power puncher at his own game. After 12 full rounds of schooling, the Judges scored it 118-109, 118-109 and 117 110 all in favor of Shakur Stevenson.

With this convincing win by Shakur, he is now the new WBO/WBC and newly acquired Ring Magazine Unified Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

With the way Shakur made this bout look so effortless, I can’t see anybody beating this kid in the 130-Pound Division. Real Talk! The road to undisputed just got clearer for Shakur. Good luck to the competition.

Congratulations Shakur on your latest triumph.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between Undisputed Lightweight IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/ Ring Magazine Champion Katie Taylor (21-0, 6 Kos) and highly decorated Champion Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30 Kos), outdid themselves when they battled it out at Madison Square Garden in New York.

This was women’s Boxing at its highest level and both combatants showed the World and the fans in attendance a boxing match that will last the test of time. Real Talk! Amanda, who moved up in weight from the 126-Pound Division to the 135-Pound Division, did not look out of place exchanging leather for leather against the visibly bigger Champion in Katie Taylor.

Them two warriors gave it to each other right from the jump with neither combatant letting one another get the edge as the rounds progressed. Both had moments throughout the bout and both managed to impress me with the way they executed their respectable “game plan”.

Amanda, being the smaller opponent, performed exceptionally well and even had the Champ hurt a few times and could have put the Champ out if it wasn’t for the round being over at the right time giving Katie that out long enough to recover. Amanda’s power was real and looked quite effective and definitely bothered Katie whenever she got tagged hard enough.

That said, Katie is one resilient combatant who wasn’t about to be outdone on the biggest night of her career to date. Katie’s hand speed and punch output was quite efficient and definitely made it difficult for Amanda to match her punch for punch. Her foot work and conditioning were key points that carried her throughout the bout.

This was a tight bout to call from start to finish and both combatants had their respectable moments throughout the bout, but after 10 full rounds of nonstop action the Judges at hand scored it 96-93, 97-93 for Taylor and 96-94 for Serrano, giving the edge and the win to Katie Taylor.

Listen, I’m a big fan of Katie but I personally think that Amanda edged this one, hands down!
Again, this was a tight bout from start to finish but Amanda did the better work round by round and clearly had Katie hurt numerous times and landed the more visible telling punches. Katie’s punch output was very good but Amanda stood her ground and showed her strength and power with clean punches that were too clean to be ignored by these two Judges’ score cards.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte”

WBC Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotion/Top Rank Main Event between WBC/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 Kos) and Mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte (28-3, 19 Kos) at the Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, UK, with an attendance of 94,000 fans definitely lived up to the hype. Hands Down!

The “Gypsy King” defended his Championship belts for the second time and did it in style by boxing circles around “The Body Snatcher” Dillian who had absolutely no proper “game plan” in keeping Tyson from having his way inside that squared circle.

It was a boxing clinic by Tyson who kept Dillian at bay with a very effective jab, enabling Dillian from landing anything significant enough to deter Tyson from pressing the action from round one and on.

Tyson looked good from the jump boxing and moving at ease inside that squared circle. Dillian tried numerous times to land that heavy left hand but with no avail constantly missing and swinging at air whenever Tyson moved with grace avoiding every power shot coming from Dillian.

Tyson’s size, reach and boxing IQ inside the ring was simply too much of a puzzle for Dillian to overcome. Tyson always seemed to be two steps ahead of Dillian’s every move. Dillian was outmatched and outwitted inside that squared circle. To me this bout looked like a sparring session gone wrong for Dillian. It was only matter of time before the inevitable happened and by the 6th round, Tyson connected with a vicious right uppercut straight to the chin that dropped Dillian who then managed to get up before the count but was on shaky legs to continue. This prompted the referee to call the bout in fear for his safety. Game over!

This was a long overdue mandatory position that Dillian Whyte rightfully deserved from time but fell short on the biggest night of his career to the so-called pillow fisted “Gypsy King”. I tip my “B” hat to Fury for successfully defending his WBC/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Championship Titles and walking away from the game still undefeated and on his own terms in the presence of 94,000 fans at the Wembley Stadium in London.

Job well done Tyson, now enjoy your retirement.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Errol Spence Jr. vs Yordenis Ugas”

WBA/WBC/IBF Welterweight Unified Champion

Last night’s Showtime PPV Main Event between WBC/IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22 Kos) and WBA “Super” Welterweight Champion Yordenis Ugas (27-5, 12 Kos) at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, was simply an excellent display of how great Errol can be when dialed in inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

Both combatants showed up in tip top shape ready to go to war with one another but it was Errol who hadn’t fought in over 16 months, and had to recover from retina surgery to be back healthy for this bout he had the look and the aura of a man who wasn’t going to be deterred by no means, regardless of the opponent inside that squared circle.

Errol let his hands go early and did not stop pounding his opponent right from the jump. Both combatants surprisingly fought from the “phone booth” style not giving each other an inch but it was Spence who was getting most out of that tactic due to the higher volumes of punches being thrown with power.

I was surprised by Ugas’ “game plan” or lack of considering going toe to toe with Errol requires you to dish out a punch output to at least deter him from coming forward. Ugas gave back but was looking more at placing his punches rather than keeping up with Spence. Allowing Spence to have his way helps him build his confidence and encourages him to keep applying nonstop pressure with no real fear of anything coming at him.

Ugas had some moments inside that squared circle and even caught Spence slipping in the 6th round with a couple of heavy shots that caught Spence’s attention and visibly hurt him, but Ugas didn’t capitalize on that momentum and once Spence shook it off, he went back into “beast mode” throwing heavy punches looking for that get back.

As the rounds progressed Ugas’ right eye was swollen shut from the pounding, he was receiving from Spence who by then was breaking his opponent down round by round. The inevitable was near.

By the tenth round Ugas became a punching bag, absorbing punishment after punishment coming from all angles prompting the referee to send Yordenis to the ringside Doctor who than decided Ugas could no longer continue seeing out the right eye. Errol won by technical knockout and became the New Unified WBA “Super”/WBC/IBF Welterweight Champion of the World. Well done.

Errol Spence Jr. is “The Truth” hands down inside that squared circle. This performance by Spence last night proved once and for all that your Boy is back 100% from all previous setbacks. The only thing next to do is to challenge WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (38-0, 29 Kos). Two undefeated Champions laying it all on the line for Undisputed.

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gennadiy Golovkin vs Ryota Murata”

IBF/IBO/WBA Middleweight Unification

The Matchroom/DAZN Middleweight Unification bout between IBF/IBO Champion Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 Kos) and WBA “Super” World Champion Ryota Murata (16-3, 13 Kos) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan this morning, was an interesting bout for as long as it lasted.

It has been a little over 15 months since we last saw the aging but still very strong “GGG” grace the inside of that squared circle and after shaking off some cobwebs “GGG” proceeded to break down his opponent one round at a time. Real Talk!

I tip my “B” hat to Ryota who had the right “game plan” at first and stood his ground banging leather for leather with the hard hitting “GGG” but soon found out that withstanding toe to toe blows with “GGG”, and being at the receiving end of some serious destructive shots with “GGG” will leave you demoralized. Real Talk!

“GGG” looked strong and physically fit inside that squared circle but visibly looked tired at times whenever Ryota let loose with his hands going blow for blow. This bout was competitive in the earlier rounds but as “GGG” started to get comfortable, Ryota slowly started to breakdown from absorbing punishment coming at him from all angles.

Golovkin may not have had the foot movement or his usual punch output going for him this morning but he definitely had the power and the strength to knockdown Ryota in the ninth round which then prompted Murata’s trainer who had seen enough by then to throw in the towel.

With this dominant performance by Golovkin at the age of 40 years old, “GGG” showed us that he still has the goods to keep up with the best of them inside that squared circle. That said,
Golovkin is once again the Unified IBF/IBO/WBA “Super” Middleweight Champion of the World.

Although Golovkin has unfinished business that requires him to move up in weight to the 168-Pound Division and challenge the Pound-for Pound Undisputed “Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 Kos), regardless of that outcome “GGG”, will still remain the most hunted in the 160-Pound Division.

Until then congratulations Golovkin on your latest accomplishments.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About George Kambosos Jr. vs Devin Haney”

Lightweight Unification Championship

It has now officially been announced. Unified IBF/WBA/WBO/WBC “Franchise” Champion and Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion George Kambosos Jr. (20-0, 10 Kos) will be putting all off his hardware on the line in a unification bout against WBC Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (27-0, 15 Kos). Both are levelling to be the first Undisputed Lightweight Champion in the four-belt era, set for Saturday night Live on ESPN June 4, 2022 in the United States and Sunday June 5, 2022 at the Marvel Stadium in Australia.

This will be the biggest bout staged on Australian soil since Jeff Horn upset Manny Pacquiao in 2017. Kambosos has been the road warrior working his way up from day one to now being at the top of the 135-Pound Division with the one missing hardware: the WBC Lightweight Championship held by Haney keeping him from being this Division’s Undisputed Champion.

Kambosos is on a natural high right now after dethroning the previously undefeated Teofimo Lopez to become the Lightweight Division Unified Champion of the World, and rightfully so, he should still be enjoying the fruits of his hard labor. Kambosos defied all odds that night when he walked away will all the hardware.

That being said we gotta keep it real here. Styles make fights and the undefeated WBC Champion Devin Haney has all the right tools and attributes needed to remove the IBF/WBA/WBO and Ring Magazine Championship Belts from George Kambosos Jr. Real Talk!

Kambosos may have choked the Boxing World back on November 27, 2021 but in order to become the new Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World he will have to crush “The Dream” Devin Haney convincingly on his biggest stage of his career, a task at hand that will not be easy considering his highly motivated opponent Devin also has his own agenda at hand with the right “game plan” in mind to walk out of Australia and back into the United States the New Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World.

Kambosos has already proven to us and the boxing critics not to be taken lightly inside that squared circle. Now it’s time for Devin to show the World and Kambosos that he’s the real deal inside that squared circle, come Saturday night on ESPN June 4, 2022 in the United State and Sunday June 5, 2022 at the Marvel Stadium in Australia.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Miguel Berchelt vs Jeremiah Nakathila”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Main Event at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas was supposed to be somewhat of a comeback bout for Miguel Berchelt (38-3, 34 Kos) since his demoralizing knockout defeat to WBO Super Featherweight Champion Oscar Valdez 13 Months ago. To avoid the same outcome Miguel decided to move up in weight from the Super Featherweight Division to the Lightweight Division and selected Jeremiah Nakathila (23-2, 19 Kos). Wrong move!

Although Berchelt looked the part physically, he definitely did not act accordingly inside that squared circle. From round one on Nakathila showed Miguel absolutely no respect by moving forward and jabbing him at will all over his face and eventually sitting Berchelt down for a quick 8 count that visibly hurt him until the end of the third round.

Having been dropped from the third round it was quite noticeable that Miguel’s legs were gone. His defence was non-existent leaving himself uncharacteristically open to some heavy uncontested shots. Miguel looked a shell of himself and continued to take unnecessary punishment round after round.

This was a one-sided beating that did not need to go any further. By the end of the sixth round the referee on hand called an end to the bout. Definitely the right call. Miguel will need to re-evaluate his performance tonight and contemplate the inevitable outcome.

That said, Nakathila came in this bout with the right “game plan” and executed it to a “T” and for that, recorded his best win of his career to date.

Congratulations Jeremiah – you earned this convincing win hands down.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington”

IBF Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Featherweight Champion Kiko Martinez (43-11-2, 30 Kos) and Josh Warrington (31-1-1, 8 Kos) was a rematch that brought the house at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England to its feet.

This bout was one of the most important bouts in Josh’s career to date, considering a lost tonight would have meant retirement. With that in mind and a full house in attendance, Josh wasted no time asserting himself at the first bell of round one throwing leather with vicious combinations strong enough to drop Kiko for a quick 8 count.

Kiko clearly wasn’t expecting Josh to being so aggressive from the jump. Josh’s approach forced Kiko to exchange but wasn’t able to match Josh’s output from the early rounds.

Once the action slowed down as Josh lowered his output, Kiko proceeded to press the action with his own shots attempting to deter Josh who was still able to box with some very good exchanges going back and forth.

With Josh landing the better shots as the rounds progressed it was quite evident that Josh was the combatant outworking his opponent inside that squared circle. Josh looked good and sharp moving and boxing and landing punches at will.

By the seventh round, it was another trashing by Josh who had pinned Kiko to the ropes and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches like a heavy bag that quickly prompted the referee to stop the bout and kept Kiko from further abuse.

This rematch was way different from their first encounter of five years ago, where Josh won a rough twelve round majority decision over Kiko. This time around Josh shut the show down in a convincing fashion.

With this conclusive win, you have now regained the IBF Featherweight Title and reasserted yourself as a key player in the 126-Pound Division.

Congratulations Josh, can’t wait to see what your next move will be.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Maria Cecilia Roman vs Ebanie Bridges”

IBF Bantamweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event between long reigning IBF Bantamweight Champion Maria Cecilia Roman (16-6-1) and well-liked Australian star Ebanie Bridges (8-1, 3 Kos) was an exciting showdown that definitely brought some “hype” at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Ebanie brought the “heat” early and kept her hands busy by staying aggressive with some very good punch output from head to body. Ebanie boxed beautifully and stayed one step ahead at all corners in the first half of the bout.

That being said, Maria wasn’t the longest reigning Champion for no reason. Maria proceeded to utilized her experience in the second half of the bout to slowly regain some ground. The two combatants exchanged leather for leather going back and forth but it was Ebanie’s higher work rate throughout the bout that clearly separated the two warriors in my eyes.

As we got closer to the championship rounds fatigue started to show on Ebanie giving Maria a better chance at reclaiming some much needed rounds but Ebanie’s sheer will to stay alert and bang with the Champ carried her all the way to the later rounds.

After 10 full rounds of exciting action the Judges scored it 100-91, 97-93, 97-93 all in favor for the New IBF Bantamweight Champion Ebanie Bridges.

Aside from the Judge who scored it 100-91, the right combatant definitely won the bout. Hands Down.

Ebanie’s early work rate and good boxing paid dividends tonight, although she tired near the end, she boxed a good fight and showed much improvement on the biggest night of her career to date.

Congratulations Ebanie – you have now entered the Winner’s Circle of Champions.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Blair Cobbs vs Alexis Rocha”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night the fast talking, trash talking Welterweight prospect Blair Cobbs (15-1-1, 10 Kos) got himself humbled when he took on Alexis Rocha (19-1, 13 Kos) inside that squared circle as the Main Event of the night at the USC Galen in Los Angeles, California on the Golden Boy/DAZN card.

Cobbs talked the talk but clearly underestimated his opponent when he first stepped foot inside that squared circle. Cobbs boxed and moved not looking too concerned about his opponent, right until he got caught and chin checked in the second round which opened up a clear flaw in Cobbs defense as the rounds progressed.

Alexis’ left hand was landing at will all night clearly rocking Cobbs who then started to move way too much to win any rounds. Cobbs was having some serious problems figuring out Alexis who was growing stronger as the rounds progressed.

Alexis’ “game plan” was simple but effective. His patience and steady aggressive approach troubled Cobbs enough to land another hard left chin checked and dropped Cobbs for a quick 8 count in the eighth round. Cobbs, who was clearly hurt struggled heavily to survive the end of the round.

The “End Game” was near and in the ninth round a visibly weakened Cobbs continued to absorb a burst of unanswered punches from body to head and again chin checked out on his feet prompting the referee to call an end to the bout.

Prior to the bout, Alexis had promised to hurt Blair inside that squared circle but went a step further and silenced the flamboyant one permanently.

This bout was a reality check for Cobbs who prior to the bout was calling out the top Welterweights in the Division. There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and this one showed you where you at, but it’s nothing you can’t bounce back from. Keep your head up Blair.

As for Alexis, congratulations on your convincing win keep up the momentum.

Blaze