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.

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On The Watch “It’s All About Serhii Bohachuk vs Virgil 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.

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On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Cinco de Mayo Showdown

Last night’s PBC/Golden Boy/Prime Video/DAZN Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion “Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 Kos) and countryman, former World Champion Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 Kos), undeniably lived up to the “HYPE” surrounding this great event. Real Talk!

The young Lion Munguia brought the “HEAT” to the Kingpin’s door and gave a very good accountability for himself inside that squared circle but found out first-hand what in entails to go toe-to-toe with a seasoned, savvy veteran the likes of Canelo.

There are levels to this Boxing sh*t and on the night Munguia learned that lesson on the biggest stage of his career to date.

Not to be outdone, Munguia fought a great one and stood his ground even after being dropped for a standing 8 count in the fourth round. He bounced back and proceeded with the original “game plan” by applying pressure with an aggressive offence.

These two warriors brought their Mexican fans to their feet at the Arena the way they banged on each other, exchanging leather after leather at close range giving us that action.

That being said, school was in session last night and the instructor was Canelo who methodically broke his opponent down round by round and made it look good. Canelo was active with his hands and precise with his punches which disrupted Munguia’s usual high-octane offense. As big and strong as Munguia was on the night it was the skill set that separated both warriors inside that squared circle.

After 12 rounds of entertaining action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

The “Kingpin” reigns supreme once again on Cinco de Mayo and still Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Canelo, another great victory to be added on this very special night!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia”

Junior Welterweight Showdown

The promotional build up to this bout was quite awkward but last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, between WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Devin Haney (31-1, 15 Kos) and Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 Kos) definitely surpassed my expectations. Real Talk!

Ryan the underdog came out the gate with some serious aggression and rocked Devin with a serious left hook that dictated what was to come. Ryan’s power was quite evident but Devin regrouped and started using his boxing to survive the round.

As the rounds progressed Devin continued to box as expected while Ryan remained calm, waiting for the counterpunch to present itself. Both combatants showed no fear but the power punches were coming from Ryan whenever he let his hands go.

You could see Devin getting into his comfort zone inside that squared circle as the rounds were advancing but Ryan’s confidence never wavered, looking like an animal stalking his prey.

By the 7th round Devin fell asleep at the wheel and got caught with a mean left hook that dropped him, giving him his first standing 8 count in the professional ranks. Ryan had Devin on full survival mode clinching on Ryan for dear life.

The action picked up in the proceeding rounds with both combatants going back and forth but Ryan’s power punches and speed was clearly becoming a factor.

Devin’s defense wasn’t looking as tight as usual because Ryan’s left hand was “Money” and cashed in heavily once again knocking Devin down in the 10th round and the 11th round whenever he landed. Ryan’s equalizer secured the bout for me on this night. Devin could not stand up to Ryan’s power but truth be told he didn’t stay down. Real Talk!

After 12 completed action packed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 115-109, 114-110 and 112-112, giving the majority decision to “KingRy”. The Judge who scored it 112-112 is straight out of pocket for that score card but the right man definitely won this bout. Hands Down!

Due to the fact that Ryan missed the 140-Pound weight limit by 3.2 pounds, Devin remains the WBC Junior Welterweight Champion in defeat.

Belt or no Belt, Garcia proved the naysayers wrong and shocked the Boxing World last night by picking up his biggest win in his professional career to date.

Well done, Ryan, you definitely impressed me with this one!

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On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Cinco de Mayo Showdown

It has now officially been announced: the “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 Kos) recently had a change of heart and will now be defending his Crown on Cinco de Mayo weekend at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, May 4, 2024, against his countryman, unbeaten former World Champion Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 Kos).

Munguia is a young, hungry, worthy combatant who will bring the absolute “HEAT” to Canelo inside that squared circle. This kid is strong and relentless when push comes to shove and he will not give up without a fight. This bout has the potential to be a real action-pact type of an event for the simple reason that Munguia has the punch resistance and the right amount of punch output to hang toe-to-toe with the “Kingpin” inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

That being said, the experience at this level belongs to Canelo. This battle-tested version of Canelo is a serious problem to any opponent attempting to dethrone him on the biggest stage. It’s a different ball game when you step inside that squared circle opposite the “Kingpin”.

Both combatants have respectable power and will be exchanging leather back and forth between them, but truth be told, I see it coming down to their individual skill sets and the right “game plan” on fight night.

It will be interesting to see how the young lion asserts himself on the biggest night of his career against boxing’s biggest star ‘Kingpin” Canelo Alvarez. Who will prevail as Mexico’s No. 1 Champion on Cinco de Mayo?

Tune in Saturday night May 4, 2024, on PBC Pay-Per-View/Prime Video/DAZN/PPV.com at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and witness the outcome of this historical night.

Who you got?

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On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia”

WBC Junior Welterweight Showdown

It has been officially announced! WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 Kos) will be defending his newly acquired Championship belt against Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 Kos) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Saturday night April 20, 2024, on DAZN PPV.

Both combatants came to the press conference talking real greasy about one another, but truth be told both Dudes are willing to back every word up. They’ve met in the amateur ranks 6 times in the past and duked it out, splitting the encounters to three apiece. The deciding factor will now be settled on the professional stage with a high pay day, the WBC Junior Welterweight Title and the bragging rights all at stake come fight night.

Devin is the proven Champion and warrior at this point in their respective careers to date. It will be up to Ryan to prove the naysayers wrong by bringing his best performance ever inside that squared circle to even have a chance at defeating the Champ on the big night.

Both combatants are out there promising knockouts on the night creating the intrigue of two young fighters willing to put it all on the line this early in their careers. A big statement will be made on the night. At first sight, Devin looks to be the better skilled and battle-tested combatant while Ryan will be looking at his speed and power along with the right “game plan” to prevail on the night. That being said, the pressure falls more heavily on Ryan’s shoulders than Devin’s to show up correct and focused on a career defining moment as this is a must win fight for “KingRy”.

Tune in Saturday night April 20, 2024, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York live on DAZN PPV and witness the outcome of this interesting Junior Welterweight Showdown.

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On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs John Ryder”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 Kos) and John Ryder (32-7, 18 Kos) was an impressive showing by Munguia who brought the house to its feet the way he handled Ryder inside that squared circle at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

It was quite evident that pairing up with new head trainer Freddie Roach was the right move to make at this point in Munguia’s career. Jaime showed much improvement with his patience and punch accuracy under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.

Munguia looked comfortable and in control inside that squared circle. With his pressure style and sharp timing on point he was able to catch Ryder with a right hand and dropped him for a quick standing 8 count in the second round. Ryder showed his usual resilience and fought back going toe to toe but succumbed once again by being dropped in the fourth round by a short well placed left hand to the dome for another standing 8 count.

John continued to put his best foot forward as the rounds progressed by showing his heart and willingness to throwdown but with very minimal success, this version of Munguia was mounting to be too much to handle inside that squared circle.

Munguia was surprisingly more defensively minded then usual and very sharp, strong and accurate causing havoc to his opponent all night. The inevitable was near and by the ninth round the heavy onslaught that Jaime came with was simply too demolishing to withstand causing Ryder to breakdown and meet the canvas twice in the round looking beaten on all angles prompting his corner to halt the bout. Ryder got up every time but the right call was made to save this “Gorilla” from further punishment.

This was a very impressive showing by Munguia, the type of showing that could possibly get the attention of the “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 Kos).

Well done, Jaime, I hope your call out to the Champ gets answered.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Alexis Rocha vs Giovani Santillan”

Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main event Between Alexis Rocha (23-2, 15 Kos) and Giovani Santillan (32-0, 17 Kos) exceeded expectation in their Welterweight Showdown at the KIA Forum in Inglewood, California.

Alexis strutted his way down the walkway taking his sweet time but beaming with confidence and definitely pissing off his opponent who was already inside the ring irritated by how long Alexis was taking to get the bout started.

I could see the anger in Giovani’s eyes and pure destruction was written all over his face. I’m not sure if Alexis underestimated his opponent but judging from the first round it was clear that Alexis was not properly prepared for the heat that Giovani was coming at him with.

Giovani pressed the action from the jump and never let his foot of the gas. Giovani was putting his punches together with authority and precision. The power that Giovani was displaying round by round was overwhelming and clearly took Alexis by surprise.

Alexis looked out of place and not in the right mind to compete with Giovani on that night inside that squared circle. Alexis was being broken down round by round and in the fifth round succumbed to two vicious knockdowns that saw him beat the count but clearly wasn’t completely recovered from the bruising round.

The inevitable was around the corner and by the 6th round an onslaught of uncontested heavy punches connected and dropped a demoralized and depleted Rocha to the canvas for the third time prompting the referee to wave the bout at this point.

Although Alexis attempted to stand his ground throughout the bout, Giovani was clearly the better prepared warrior of the night and he did not disappoint by seizing the moment on his biggest night.

With this emphatic win now under his belt, Giovani has shot up the Welterweight Division and put the rest of his peers on notice, he is coming and taking all challenges ahead.

Well done, Giovani, now onto the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between Jaime Munguia (42-0, 33 Kos) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (14-5, 10 Kos) was an exciting showdown that undeniably brought the fans in attendance to their feet at the Toyota Arena, Ontario, California. Real talk!

Both combatants moved up from the Middleweight Division to the Super Middleweight Division to have this incredible clash and boy did they bring that heat inside that squared circle.

It was clear from the way this bout started out that Munguia did not expect this type of resistance from his older opponent but what he soon found out was that this “Technician” was not someone to be taken lightly inside that squared circle.

Derevyanchenko brought his “A” game on the night and showed the young buck how serious things can get when you move up in competition. Both combatants threw some serious leather at each other round by round but it was Sergiy’s consistent aggressive pressure that troubled Munguia as the rounds progressed.

Munguia had a good jab whenever he let it go but his lack of defense on the night was quite evident and disturbing considering the heavy shots he kept on absorbing. I mean the dude is tough but when you’re met with a resilient warrior like Derevyanchenko, you have to quickly reassess the “game plan” at hand.

Both combatants were hurt multiple times and showed fatigue throughout the bout but as the championship rounds approached, Munguia seemed to have the edge in the power department. By the 12th and final round Jaime may have sealed the deal with a devastating body shot that sent Derevyanchenko down for a quick 8 count which then had Sergiy backpedaling in survivor mode for the remainder of the round.

After 12 hard fought completed rounds, the Judges at hand scored it 115-112, 114-113 and 114-113 unanimously for Jaime Munguia. It was a tough battle that I think personally, could have gone either way.

That being said, Munguia definitely fought the toughest opponent of his career to date. With this hard-earned win Munguia picked up the vacant WBC Silver Super Middleweight Title positioning himself one step closer to a possible clash with the “Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division Undisputed Champion Canelo Alvarez.

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On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia”

The Moment

Last night’s PBC/Showtime PPV Main Event between Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 Kos) and Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 Kos) unquestionably lived up to the hype and shook the jam-packed building at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

Both combatants talked a lot of sh*t towards the build-up of this bout but truth be told the inside of that squared circle is the original truth teller of them all and the one that walked it like he talked it and backed up every word is none other than Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Both combatants came out the gate very confident from round one but it was Tank who established his presence first by dropping an eager Ryan for a quick 8 count in the second round. In doing so, Ryan became more worrisome of Tank’s power and deviated slightly from the original “game plan” at hand, while Tank stayed cool and calm round by round.

Ryan attempted to press the action at times but kept on overreaching being countered by a very calculative Tank who seemed to always be ready at all times. Tank did not make it easy for Ryan who visibly outsized him in length and size but still wasn’t able to land anything of significance enough to slow Tank down.

With desperation and the rounds mounting on Ryan’s back, Ryan attempted to go blow for blow with Tank and succumbed to a vicious counter body shot in round 7 that forced him to take a knee, unable to answer the referee’s count. It was a delayed reaction type punch but in definitely closed the show in an emphatic fashion.

That being said, this was an exciting bout from start to finish and both combatants showed up and performed and the better man won. Ryan can keep his head up high for stepping up to the plate and giving it his best shot.

Congratulations Gervonta on another great performance, tonight was your night.

Well done!

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