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 Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Erickson Lubin”

WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. (24-0, 22 Kos) and challenger Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (27-3, 19 Kos) was nothing more than a statement fight where the Interim Champion showed the world and the fans at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, why he’s rated the No. 1 fighter in the 154-Pound Division.

What was supposed to be a tough and competitive bout on paper turned out to be a quick and one-sided beatdown at the hands of Ortiz Jr. who completely outclassed Lubin from the first bell. It was clear from the jump that Lubin had left his “Hammer” inside the tool box because he showed up with no proper “game plan” to deter Ortiz Jr. from having his way with him inside that squared circle.

Lubin looked gun shy and not well-equipped to stand toe-to-toe with the hungrier Ortiz Jr. who was landing nothing but powerful punches from head to body with absolutely no resistance coming his way.

By the second round, Ortiz Jr. had already gathered enough intel on Lubin and decided to go for the kill when he pinned Lubin on the ropes and unloaded on him and caught him with a nasty right hand that left him out cold on his feet which prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight before any further serious damage could be handed down.  

This was an impressive stoppage by Ortiz Jr. considering Lubin was a highly-ranked and proven contender who talked a good game but fell severely short of backing it up on the night.

With this convincing win under his belt, the stage is now clear for the two Interim Champions, WBA Interim Champion Jaron Ennis (35-0, 31 kos) and WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. (24-0, 22 Kos) to finally square up and settle their differences inside that squared circle to determine the No. 1 combatant in the 154-Pound Division. 

The time is now!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Regis Prograis vs Joseph Diaz”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Co-Main Event between former Junior Welterweight Champion Regis Prograis (30-3, 24 Kos) and former Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz (34-8-1, 15 Kos), was quite an entertaining bout that took place at a catchweight of 143 pounds at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Both combatants desperately needed a victory. That being said the action was on and popping right from the gate as Diaz pressed the action early and rocked Prograis with a deadly left hook that had him on shaky legs for the remainder of the first round. To my surprise, Prograis fought back instinctively in survivor mode preventing Diaz from stopping him in the first round.

Diaz proceeded to press the action in the second round and once again managed to rock Prograis putting him right back on shaky legs and Prograis still managed to complete the second round.   

By the third round, Prograis still looking a little shaky on them legs, started to put his punches together by being active enough to win rounds by matching fire with fire with Diaz round by round.

Both warriors brought the “HEAT” inside that squared circle hammering heavy shots after heavy shots looking to do some damage to each other. What surprised me the most is how a non-puncher like Diaz was able to hurt Prograis multiple times throughout the bout.

I’m starting to think that Prograis amour might be broken considering how his last few opponents have been against non-punchers like Devin Haney, Jack Catterall and now “Jo Jo” Diaz and they have all been able to look stronger and more durable than him inside that squared circle.

Nevertheless, after 10 rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 96-94, 96-94 and 98-92 (suspect) unanimously for Regis Prograis.

Prograis may have secured the win with his activity on the night but Diaz definitely put in that work to the point where Prograis, although the winner, should definitely re-evaluate his punch resistance problem at this point in his career if he plans on fully moving up to the Welterweight Division. Them Boys up there at the top, they do pack a punch and they don’t play with their food.  

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs William Zepeda”

WBC Lightweight Showdown

In the Co-Main Event on last night’s Ring III card, WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 Kos) silenced all the naysayers and detractors with an impressive performance when he took on heavy-headed, undefeated William Zepeda (33-1, 27 Kos) and challenged him at his own game at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City.

Everyone in the building expected Shakur, primarily known as a defensive fighter to play spoiler against an offensive machine-like Zepeda but what transpired was the complete opposite as Shakur came in this bout guns blazing. Shakur stood his ground and fought toe-to-toe with the pressure fighter and proved to be quite formidable banging back and forth with the known bully Zepeda.

Zepeda was his usual self and throwing punches in bunches but to his disbelief Shakur was right there pinpointing accurate shots right back at him at a higher-than-normal clip. It was a very competitive and entertaining bout despite what the critics in attendance were proclaiming.

Shakur was in a serious fight where the pressure was real and coming at him in an abundance of speed and pace. Shakur weathered the storm and asserted himself quite well under the nonstop pressure to the point where it was Zepeda who had to slow down his own punch output in the later rounds because Shakur showed levels above Zepeda in the later rounds of the bout.

Although Shakur is not known for having heavy hands, Zepeda had no choice but to respect what was coming at him. Shakur’s punches were precise, affective and consistent round after round.

After 12 rounds of engaging action, the Judges at hand scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 unanimously for Shakur Stevenson. Personally, I think this score card does not do William Zepeda any justice but I have no problem with Shakur walking away the winner and retaining his    WBC Lightweight Championship Title.

Well done, Champ, point taken!

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Floyd Schofield vs Tevin Farmer”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night, Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (19-0, 13 Kos) set the town for the opening night of the MVP/DAZN Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Pay-Per-View main card, with a total annihilation of the former IBF Super featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer (33-9-1, 8 Kos) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Farmer talked a good game on route to this bout and felt very confident that he could derail the kid from competing with him at this level. That being said, Schofield accepted the challenge and silenced all the naysayers when he caught Farmer dead cold and chin checked him early in the first round with a heavy right hand that dropped him to a standing 8 count. He then followed up with another right hand straight to the dome and dropped Farmer again to another standing 8 count. Farmer looked shaky on them legs this time around and prime for the taking as Schofield unleashed an unanswered three punch combination that quickly prompted the referee to stop the bout.  

Farmer has always been known to give his opponents problems whether he won or loss but, on this night, he badly underestimated his opponent and paid a hefty price that got him blitzed in one round by a young and hungry combatant looking to make a name for himself.

This was a statement bout heard around the entire lightweight Division.  Your Boy Floyd Schofield is the house and on the come up looking for all the smoke.

Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About The Ring Magazine Fatal Fury in Times Square”

Ring’s Fatal Fury “City of the Wolves”

Last night’s three-card Fatal Fury in Times Square Main Event brought to us by his Excellency Turki Alashikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment, sadly, did not live up to the “HYPE” created by the unknown and the expected excitement.

The closed-out location at Times Square, the production and the Ring, created a different scene and atmosphere that will forever be remembered but where things went left is with the performances that some of the chosen talent for the night who neglected to perform at their peak form on this historical night. Real talk!

First up on the Main Event night was WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 Kos) defending his Championship Belts against undefeated mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 Kos). Although Barboza earned his way to the mandatory position and talked a good game throughout the build-up, he quickly found out that there are levels to this boxing sh*t and on this night, Lopez produced a dominant performance that will forever haunt Barboza. Lopez outworked, outhustled, outboxed and outgunned Barboza who is a very good boxer but lacked the proper skill set and “game plan” to dethrone the Champ on the night. After 12 one-sided rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112 unanimously for Teofimo Lopez. Well done!

Next up was Devin Haney (32-0, 15 Kos) and Jose Ramirez (29-3, 18 Kos) who met up at a catch weight of 144 Lbs. Haney, who talked a good game during the build-up of the bout failed miserably to capture the hearts of viewers at home and in attendance. Neither combatant pressed the action or threw enough leather to land anything significant. I expected Devin, who hadn’t fought in a year, to come out the gate pumped up and ready for some action but what we got was a shell-shocked safety-first reluctant fighter, who put the viewers and fans in attendance to sleep. Ramirez did himself no favours as well with his own lack of activity. It was a very disappointing performance by both combatants on such a big stage like this. Nevertheless, the Judges at hand called it 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110 unanimously for Devin Haney.

The final bout of the night belonged to Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 Kos) and Rolando “Rolly” Romero (17-2, 13 Kos) who met up at the Welterweight Division. With “Rolly” being counted out and labeled the underdog, he wasted no time asserting himself and pressed the action to score an impressive second-round knockdown over Garcia that changed the flow of the bout as it progressed. Garcia looked flat and disengaged, unable to pull the trigger on “Rolly” who was calm and disciplined out-boxing Garcia round by round. “Rolly” stuck with the “game plan” and executed it to a “T” and gained mad confidence round by round while Garcia neglected his corner’s instructions and urgency to let his hands go. Although neither combatant threw an abundance of leather, “Rolly” made his presence felt more than none by landing the more telling punches.

After 12 rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 118-109, 115-112 and 115-112 unanimously for Rolando “Rolly” Romero. You were counted out and you prevailed and silenced all the naysayers. With this impressive win under your belt, you are now the proud owner of the vacant WBA “Regular” Welterweight Championship Title. Well done Champ and enjoy this well-earned victory

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About William Zepeda vs Tevin Farmer”

WBC Interim Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN rematch Main Event at Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico between WBC Interim Lightweight Champion William Zepeda (33-0, 27 kos) and challenger Tevin Farmer (33-8-1, 8 Kos), was more of a statement bout, than expected by the Champion Zepeda.

This time out Zepeda looked more like the warrior we are accustomed to seeing by the way he came out the gate with his controlled aggression and volume punches coming in from all angles catching Farmer off guard and unable to adjust on the fly.

Farmer, as competitive as he tried to be on the night, looked off and possibly injured his left arm and hand during the fight but nevertheless didn’t stop trying to hang in there with the super aggressive Zepeda who continued to press the action.

It was painful to watch at times considering Farmer was overmatched due to his injuries but I have to tip my “B” hat to Farmer for fighting through the pain and physical restrictions and still putting up a good fight while being compromised.

Farmer wasn’t visibly able to keep up with Zepeda’s work rate and aggression. Farmer was simply a wounded animal trying to survive but proceeded to do it in a way that you have to respect his “Gangsta” mentality made him refuse to concede at the hands of his opponent.

After 12 full rounds of action, one Judge had it 114-114 (suspect) while the other two Judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 giving William Zepeda the majority decision.

I personally think that a healthier version of Tevin Farmer on the night would have given us a different result but this wasn’t the case. Zepeda did what was needed to be done to secure the win and can now look forward to a possible showdown with the full WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 Kos).

Shakur vs Zepeda is an intriguing bout but only time will tell if and when the challenge will be accepted by both parties involved.

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr.”

Junior Welterweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBO International Junior Welterweight Champion Jack “El Gato” Catterall (30-2, 13 Kos) and WBO Intercontinental Junior Welterweight Champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 Kos), was an interesting bout where both combatants had to get creative with their approach inside that squared circle at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.

This was a chess like match where both combatants had their moments as the rounds progressed. Being the away fighter, Barboza had no choice but to stay active with his hands but Catterall stood his ground and exchanged leather for leather as best he could.

You could see both combatants struggling to get an edge on one another as each looked equally matched inside that squared circle making it harder to call round by round. It was a very calculative type bout where every mistake made cost the opponent dearly.

Both combatants had their share of telling punches being thrown but as the championship rounds rolled out it was becoming clearer to the eye that Barboza was the one putting in that extra push to secure the defining rounds.

That being said, after 12 full rounds of action one Judge scored it 115-113 for Catterall while the other two Judges scored it 115-113 for Barboza giving him the split decision win and the right to claim the vacant WBO Interim Junior Welterweight Title.

It was a tight competitive bout from start to finish but I personally think the right man won on the night. With this win now secured by Barboza an official mandatory position has now been set to challenge for the full WBO World Junior Welterweight Title held by Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 Kos).

That said, will Teofimo accept the challenge? Only time will tell.

Until then, congratulations Arnold on another great win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith”

WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Unification

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Latino Night Main Event between WBA Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 Kos) and WBO Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 Kos) was a very competitive throwdown at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Judging by how this bout unraveled, it was clear to me that Chris’ team underestimated what “Zurdo” brought inside that squared circle. Chris’ team assumed that Gilberto wouldn’t be able to stand toe-to-toe with a true Cruiserweight since “Zurdo” was coming from the lower Division of Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight to now Cruiserweight but failed to understand that “Zurdo” was always big and strong at those weights and damn near a weight bully who truly belonged in the Cruiserweight Division.

Prior to this bout, Gilberto defeated Arsen Goulamirian and relieved him from his WBA Cruiserweight Title which brought us to this Unification bout where Gilberto, a seasoned warrior did not back down from the challenge, but did step towards it with his gloves up.

Both combatants had their moments but it was Gilberto who boxed and moved and pressed the action going toe-to-toe outworking Chris, proving himself to be worthy of the Division.

Both warriors banged hard, throwing heavy punches at one another but as the rounds progressed it was Chris who started fading in the later rounds giving the edge to “Zurdo”. That being said I tip my “B” hat to Chris for never succumbing to the pressure when things looked bleak and ending the tough fight on his feet.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 116-112, 116-112 and 116-113 unanimously for Gilberto Ramirez.

This was a tough and taxing bout for Gilberto but the reward at the end of it was well worth the challenge. With this win “Zurdo” is now a Unified WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion and looking to contest the No.1 Dude in the Division, IBF/Ring Magazine Champion Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 Kos).

Until then, congratulations Gilberto on a very impressive win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Serhii Bohachuk vs Vergil Ortiz Jr.”

WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 Kos) and challenger Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 Kos) was better than advertised when them two warriors finally laced up and met toe-to-toe inside that squared circle at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

This was a tough bout from start to finish but most entertaining to watch considering the favorite Ortiz Jr. really had to grind hard in this bout making it his most challenging test of his young professional career to date.

The defending WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion Bohachuk brought his A game on the night and fought tooth and nail never backing down going blow for blow standing his ground round after round making sure his presence was felt.

Although Ortiz Jr. looked like he was the one carrying the most power it was actually Bohachuk who was able to drop Ortiz Jr. with a left hook in the second round prompting Ortiz Jr. to his feet protesting the call then fueling him to get his get back in the remaining round.

As the rounds progressed you could see Ortiz Jr. going off script constantly chasing that knockdown pressuring Bohachuk trying to break him down with his heavy blows. The disciplined and well-schooled Bohachuk remained poised letting his hands go giving back just as much as he was taking.

Bohachuk’s persistence with his own assault charge in the eight-round managed to knock Ortiz Jr. down with a swift right hand for the second time creating a hysterical moment that had the crowd in attendance in a frenzy by what was transpiring inside that squared circle.

Both combatants had their moments and the action was nonstop from start to finish making it that much harder to call but after 12 full rounds of entertaining action the Judges at hand called it 113-113, 114-112 and 114-112 edging the majority decision in Vergil Ortiz Jr. favor.

The outcome of this bout is very debatable in my opinion but nevertheless what we have here today is a new WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Champion in Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Blaze