On The Watch “It’s All About Dmitry Bivol vs Jean Pascal”

WBA Light Heavyweight Challenge

WBA World Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (15-0, 11 Kos) had himself another dominating performance last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City when he easily dismantled former Champion Jean Pascal (33-6-1, 20 Kos).

As dominant as Bivol was last night it was certainly not his best performance to date. Bivol has shown us time and time again that he is fundamentally sound with a very high Boxing IQ inside that squared circle; however, I still think he’s holding back at times when he’s got his opponent hurt.

I was confused by Pascal’s game plan or lack thereof. Dude had heart but absolutely no jab or strategic offence whatsoever? It was embarrassing to see a former Champion go out the way he did. Real Talk! Sporadic bursts of punches doesn’t do anything if you’re not consistent with your pressure throughout the rounds!!

Bivol clearly outclassed Pascal inside that squared circle last night but seemed to have run out of juice in the championship rounds. As polished as Bivol is as a fighter, there are still some unanswered questions that can hopefully be addressed as his competition improves.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Jacobs vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko”

IBF Middleweight Title

Last night, on HBO at the Madison Square Garden in New York, Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 Kos) once again became Middleweight Champion by defeating a very worthy opponent in Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-1, 10 Kos) for the vacant IBF Belt.

This was by far his toughest opponent since his last bout with Gennady Golovkin.
Jacobs came out the gate early by dropping Sergiy in the first round and establishing himself from that point on. Sergiy, a familiar sparring partner bounced back and composed himself and made the fight as competitive as expected. Sergiy maintained an aggressive approach round by round but Jacobs’ experience and slick boxing made it very difficult for Sergiy to land any real significant punches all night. In my eyes Jacobs’ ring generalship combine with precise and accurate punches was what separated both warriors in a very tight bout.

Jacobs fought a brilliant fight against a very determined adversary who laid it all on the line. It was a very technical bout but the more seasoned Jacobs executed the game plan at hand to perfection to secure the victory when it counted under the bright lights.

Sergiy proved to masses in attendance that he belonged amongst the top of the Middleweight Division and can definitely bounce back from this defeat. He needed this fight just as much as Jacobs.

With this win and the IBF Middleweight Title in his possession, Jacobs has good options ahead for himself; a rematch against “GGG” might be on the horizon or possibly a unification bout against newly crowned WBO Middleweight Champion (if the price is right) or a date with the “King” in the Middleweight Division, Lineal Champion, IBO, WBA and WBC Title holder Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 Kos).

Until then, congratulations on a great win Daniel; you belong in the “winner’s circle”.

Blaze

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

Middleweight World Champion

Last night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, in front of a sellout crowd of 21,965, a New “King” in the Middleweight Division was crowned. Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 Kos) has now dethroned the previous Pound-for-Pound “King” of the Middleweight Division Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 Kos).

With this win Canelo is once again the Lineal Champion with some new added hardware to his name, the IBO, WBA, and WBC Middleweight Titles are now in his possession.

This bout was simply a beautiful display of two highly skilled boxers fighting for the “supremacy” of the Middleweight Division. This second time around really felt like a continuation of their first encounter but with the added adjustment especially from Canelo.

There was absolutely no shortage of excitement last night, Canelo walked it like he talked it and backed it up as promised inside that squared circle. Canelo said he was going to be there inside the center of the Ring and he meant it. From the first round to the twelfth, Canelo stayed engaged and pressed it on Gennady round after round. That being said Gennadiy didn’t shy away from Canelo either, they both fought back and forth but to everybody’s surprise Canelo still stood his ground and in my eyes was definitely landing the more consistent power shots between the two which was very surprising considering Gennadiy is the known stalker with the heavier hands but on this night, Canelo handled himself exceptionally well. Real Talk!

Truth be told this bout, once again could have easily been called a draw because the rounds were so damn close to call but I have to tip my “B” hat to your Boy Canelo for sticking to the game plan at hand and administering “GGG” his first defeat of his professional career. This by no means, was not an easy fight for either combatant but definitely one to be proud of for the winner considering the level of difficulty each combatant presented inside that squared circle.

Congratulations Canelo on imposing your will and becoming the New Middleweight “King” of the Division. This is a win well deserved.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Lemieux vs Gary O’Sullivan”

WBA Middleweight Mandatory Challenge

David Lemieux (40-4, 34 Kos) showed up last night at the T-Mobile Arena and redeemed himself once again on the big stage in Las Vegas in a do or die bout against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (28-3, 20 Kos) and handed the Irishman a devastating first round knockout for the ages.

When focussed, healthy and fit, David is a real problem inside that squared circle. I’m not sure what game plan “Spike” had in mind on that night but he surely miscalculated his approach towards Lemieux. “Spike” talked a good game and I personally thought he would have at least made a fight out of it but to my surprise, Lemieux came ready to shut it down nice and early 2:44 in the first round is all he needed. Real Talk! It was the type of display Lemieux has been known for but with his last failed showing against WBO Middleweight “Kingpin” Billy Joe Saunders, the boxing community was suspect on what to expect. That being said, Lemieux silenced the masses in attendance with his fan friendly performance.

With this showing Lemieux has now secured a Middleweight mandatory position and may possibly get a bout with the newly crowned “King” of the Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez.

This is a bout that Lemieux really wants but personally I think he might be reaching in asking for that bout. Although his performance was quite impressive, I think two more wins against any of the top-heavy hitters in the Middleweight Division might be in order. As much as I’m a fan of our own Canadian Lemieux, I still need to see some consistency and discipline along with a few more back-to-back wins to even think of challenging for another title let alone the top Dude in the Division.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Jacobs vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko”

Vacant IBF Middleweight Championship

It’s just been announced that stable mate Daniel Jacobs (34-2, 29 Kos) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-0, 10 Kos) will do battle for the vacant IBF Middleweight Title on October 27, 2018 on HBO Championship Boxing at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This is going to be an exciting bout and very interesting to say the least. These two combatants have sparred together quite a few rounds. The fear factor is non-existent when you’ve gone so many rounds with one another.

This challenge would not be going on if it weren’t for the IBF Title being on the line. Friendship aside, this is an opportunity that neither fighter could afford to look over.
That being said these two warriors know each other inside out, strength and weaknesses accounted for. Both carry power and know how to use it.

It’s not often you see a head trainer having to decide which fighter from his camp he will have to side with but for this one head trainer, Andre Rozier, will be in Jacobs’ corner while assistant trainer Gary Stark Sr., to Jacobs and Sergiy, will be in Derevyanchenko’s corner.

I’m intrigued to see what the game plan will be when these two combatants and head trainers meet inside that squared circle, not for sparring but for a legitimate title bout that could push forward the winner’s careers in a major way. Real Talk!

Although these two competitors match up really well, I personally see this as a chess match that will come down to execution, patience and experience.

Who will deliver the goods when it’s all said and done?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Sergey Kovalev vs Eleider Alvarez”

WBO Light Heavyweight Championship

In a major upset, last night, Saturday August 4, 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the underdog Eleider “Storm” Alverez (24-0, 12 Kos) prevailed in a very convincing manner and silenced all critics by defeating WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 Kos) by knockout. Real Talk!

Not too many people in the boxing community saw this one coming. The bout started out real competitive with some good back and forth from both fighters. Kovalev seemed to be coasting throughout the rounds and in control until Alverez started applying a bit more pressure and somewhat out boxing the veteran Champion in the second half of the fight to eventually taking over in the seventh round by dropping Kovalev three times in a brutal fashion to an subsequent stoppage.

With patience and determination, Alverez defied all odds and accomplished his dream of becoming a Light Heavyweight Champion. Alverez took this occasion and delivered inside that squared circle. With this credible win over “Krusher”, Alverez has now changed the landscape of the Light Heavyweight Division and now has positioned himself as a major player in the Division as the New WBO Light Heavyweight Champion of the world. Music to his ears. This was an opportunity well over due but one definitely well deserved.

Congratulations on your Win Champ and enjoy the moment, you’re officially in the “Winners circle”.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs Liam Smith”

WBO Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vagas Nevada, Jaime Munguia (30-0, 25 Kos) had himself a successful first defense of his WBO Junior Middleweight Belt against a worthy opponent in Liam Smith (26-2-1,14 Kos).

The young Champion had himself a live body in Liam who definitely didn’t come into town to bow down. Liam tried his best and used his experience to try to amplify Munguia’s lack of defense but found it quite challenging to neutralize Munguia’s none stop aggressive offense in doing so.

The Kid Munguia was just too strong, bigger and much younger to be contained by Liam but real talk, Liam put up a hell of a fight even after being dropped in the six rounds. Liam showed a lot of heart to go along with his strong will to never backing down or giving up at no point in the fight.

Munguia punished Liam from round 2 to 12 to a unanimous decision but it wasn’t an easy task. This was a good test of character for Munguia who hadn’t gone 12 rounds before.

Munguia, 21 years old, is an impressive fighter. He’s still fairly raw but unquestionably made a statement of his own last night. Theirs a new “Kid” in the 154-pound Division ready to stir up the pot. However, I personally wouldn’t go out and call out the other Champions in the Division just yet. Give yourself some time with a few more bouts under your belt. Your future is bright, pace yourself, and keep perfecting your skills cause you’re undeniably a star in the making.

Congratulations on your win Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Jacobs vs Maciej Sulecki”

WBA Middleweight Title Eliminator

Last night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York, Daniel Jacobs (34-2, 29 Kos) secured his WBA Middleweight Title Eliminator position by defeating a worthy contender in Maciej Sulecki (26-1, 10 Kos).

This was an exciting bout from start to finish. Real Talk! This Kat Sulecki may have sounded as an unknown to casual boxing fans but last night he definitely made a name of himself and showed the Middleweight Division that he’s a real -life player to be taken seriously. Although the outcome wasn’t what he had hoped for his aggressive style kept the attention of the fans in attendance.

That being said there are levels to this boxing sh*t and Daniel Jacobs is definitely levels above Sulecki. When the going got a little rough, Jacobs stepped up his game and showed Sulecki why he’s one of the top dogs in the Division. Sulecki was a tough customer who came out the gate ready to fight. The Kat’s got heart with no intention of backing down, but Jacobs is a seasoned warrior who adjusted on the fly and kept steady control of his opponent. It was a back and forth type of fight from round to round but when it was time for the curtain call, Jacobs knocked Sulecki down with a straight right hand in the 12th round with less than minutes left to wrap off the performance. Nuff said.

Jacobs needed a tough outing like this to keep him sharp and ready with that hunger for more. This win makes him a WBA mandatory challenger to Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and gives him another opportunity to redeem himself for his loss to “GGG” by unanimous but controversial decision in a close 12 round title fight back in March 2017.

Congratulations on your win Danny. Until your next bout stay focus and ready at all times.

Blaze

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

Middleweight World Supremacy Battle Take 2!

The Battle of the Middleweight World Supremacy between Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) and Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) is back on once again on May 5th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This highly anticipated sequel between these two badass Middleweights has taken a life of its own. Both fighters feel like they both did enough last September 16, 2017 to walk away with the win. The 12-round split draw has left them both with a sour taste in their mouth and the only way to get rid of it is to battle it out and take the Judges out of the equation one time!

As expected the trash talking has been quietly building up some steam as of late from both sides. Canelo is talking real greasy about guaranteeing a knockout while Golovkin is stating that he will put in some heavy bodywork to slow down the pit-bull from moving around all over the place. Golovkin will be aiming to breakdown Canelo systematically round by round.

They both have tasted each other’s best shots so hopefully the fear factor is out the window and these two combatants meet up in the center of the ring and go blow for blow. Both have very exceptional skills that will come into play. Canelo is very elusive with exceptional Boxing IQ.

Golovkin’s Boxing IQ is also exceptional but his style is that of a more aggressive fighter who doesn’t like to waste too much energy when he’s putting in that work inside that squared circle.

Neither fighter appeared badly hurt at any point during their initial clash but I’m thinking this go around someone is definitely going to feel some serious pain. What we the fans need and want from our fighters is the best to fight the best but that only comes second to what these two-determined combatants want to accomplish and that’s a clear-cut winner come Saturday night May 5th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

All the Middleweight Belts WBC, IBO, WBA, IBF are at stake and there can only be one clear Champion.

Who you got on Take 2 of this Battle of the Middleweight World Supremacy?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs David Lemieux”

WBO Middleweight Championship

Last night at the Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, Canada, I witnessed firsthand how seemingly easy BJ Saunders (26-0, 12 Kos) dismantled heavy fisted David Lemieux (38-4, 33Kos) in his hometown. REAL TALK!

I have to seriously tip my “B” hat to BJ’s masterful display of skill he performed with in that squared circle. BJ had absolutely no “RESPECT” nor “FEAR” for David Lemieux perceived and well-known abilities on that stage last night. BJ came on enemy soil and schooled, dazzled, out boxed and outsmarted the bully in his own house.

It was impressive to see just how dominant BJ was round by round. The man toyed with the puncher and made it a cat and mouse game by using exceptional movement and slick footwork to prevent David from ever being able to land anything of significance. David had absolutely no answer to BJ’s astonishing offence.

The “Kid” did his homework on Lemieux and executed the game plan to a “T”. You have to give “props” to his trainer Dominic Ingle for seriously reviving BJ’s career cause last night I witness a “World Class Boxer” in Billy Joe Saunders in that squared circle.

Congratulations Champ on retaining your WBO Middleweight Championship in such a convincing manner, you truly are a legit threat in the Middleweight Division.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze