On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship

The highly anticipated Heavyweight Showdown rematch between Unified Heavyweight Champion IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 12 Kos) and former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 Kos) lived up to the “HYPE” but not without some controversy at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Usyk came in this bout laser focused and clicking on all cylinders while Fury walked in much heavier and armed with a different “game plan” that had him stand his ground in a much more aggressive manner.

Tyson’s jab was on point and very active at keeping Usyk at bay but not enough to deter him from the task at hand. Usyk fought toe-to-toe with the Big Man and bobbed and weaved as best he could while Fury did his best at maintaining his distance while being more attentive round by round.

Both combatants had their moments round by round but as the fight progressed to the second half of the bout you could see Fury slowing his work rate down probably due the excess weight he was carrying.

Nevertheless, this bout was a highly contested showdown where both combatants had to work through their respective skill sets to cancel out one another in this chess like bout inside that squared circle. Both combatants threw enough leather at one another but the accuracy of the punch output favored Usyk.

This was a very close bout to call from start to finish but after 12 full rounds of action all three Judges at hand scored it unanimously 116-112 for Oleksandr Usyk.

Listen, I don’t have a problem with Usyk being declared the winner, but I personally think that Fury, in his second go around with Usyk did a lot better than being awarded only 4 rounds in this highly competitive bout.

Controversial scores aside, Usyk retained his IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship belts and is still King of the Heavyweight Division.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship

The highly anticipated rematch has officially been announced! Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 Kos) will be attempting his “get back” when he will face the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion but now Unified IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 Kos) on December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

There wasn’t much trash talking done between the two at the press conference but it was clear that Tyson wasn’t looking like someone who wanted to play around. Tyson looked focused and determined to rectify the wrong that transpired on May 18, 2024.

As for Usyk, he walked in that press conference confident as ever looking like the Hitman from the character of the video game Hitman. Insinuating that he will be the hired Hitman to take the “Gypsy King” down once again.

Tyson learned very quickly from their last encounter that Usyk is a different breed, the most highly skilled assassin that he’s ever faced inside that squared circle. In order to beat this man, Tyson will have to be on point from round one and not slip up for one moment.

That being said, the Hitman Usyk will be expecting a highly motivated “Gypsy King” to bring the “HEAT” but Usyk will be fully prepared to defuse and halt the big giant from having his way with him inside that squared circle. That said, Usyk is sublimely making it be known, he’s coming for that knockout. Real Talk!

Speculations aside this second go around will be must see TV so tune in and witness the outcome, December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois”

IBF World Heavyweight Challenge

Former Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 Kos) got himself a serious reality check when he brutally succumbed at the hands of IBF World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 Kos) at tonight’s Main Event at the sold-out Wembley Stadium in London, England, courtesy of Riyadh Season.

This all-British Showdown surpassed all expectations and attendance at the same time. Dubois, who came in the ring looking hungry and laser-focussed, surprisingly kept things simple but efficient. Dubois’ “game plan” was obvious from the jump: to seek and destroy his opponent by all means necessary and the young Lion did just that. Real Talk!

Both combatants looked fit and strong but it was Dubois who imposed himself from the first round by chin checking AJ to a standing 8 count right before the bell ended the round. It was a wrap from that point on.

AJ looked lost and confused from round one and had no proper “game plan” to deter Dubois who was coming at him from all corners with some serious aggression. Dubois refused to give AJ any breathing room round by round. The pressure was real and the power shots that Dubois was landing on AJ were visibly taxing as AJ could not stand toe-to-toe with Dubois and eventually got clipped once again in the third round to another standing 8 count.

The inevitable was near and in the fifth round when AJ attempted to open up with his offence, Dubois landed a “Dynamite” of a right hand that chin checked Anthony cold to the floor prompting the referee to count him out.

Although Anthony showed a lot of heart tonight by rising up every time he got dropped, this version of AJ was the worst I’ve ever seen get into that squared circle. Dubois manhandled and dominated AJ from rounds 1 to 5 which is not an easy task to do but Dubois made it look effortless and for that I tip my “B” hat to the young Lion. You silenced the naysayers and myself, and put the Heavyweight Division and the boxing world on notice that Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois is the real deal. Real Talk!

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On The Watch ”It’s All About Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Guido Vianello”

Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Co Main Event between our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-2, 18 Kos) and Guido Vianello (13-2, 11 Kos) was another unexpected shocker when we witnessed Makhmudov yield to his second defeat of his career at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.

Although Makhmudov rebounded from his fist defeat at the hands of Agit Kabayel this past May when he defeated Miljian Rocvcanin by stoppage, this version of Makhmudov who entered the squared circle last night seemed to have regressed dramatically from the usual destructive “Lion” we are accustomed to seeing.

Vianello entered that squared circle with the utmost confidence and proceeded to box and move in a tactical way that kept Makhmudov bewildered and off balance all night. Vianello put a beating on our “Big Guy” from the jump, controlling every round while administering some heavy damage to the more imposing opponent. It was a very impressive display of one-sided action.

By the third round, Makhmudov’s left eye was swelling up and clearly affecting his eyesight when he couldn’t get out the way of all the heavy punches he was absorbing from left to right. Makhmudov looked slow and unsteady at times and unable to impose himself or mount any type of consistent offense to win a round.

Vianello’s jab and movement was key and by aiming that steady jab at Makhmudov’s left eye and eventually closing it completely, this prompting the referee to call in the ringside doctor at the start of the eighth round who then had a closer look at it and signalled the referee to halt the bout due to medical advice.

It was a dominant performance by Vianello where the ‘The Gladiator” was able to tame “The Lion’ in a very convincing fashion.

Well done Guido Vianello.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jared Anderson vs Martin Bakole”

Heavyweight Showdown

His Excellency Turki Alashikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Entertainment Authority did it again but this time he brought his first overseas Riyadh Season to the United State and blessed us boxing fans with an incredible competitive undercard at the sold-out BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

First up on the night and probably the most intriguing bout in my opinion was Heavyweight “The Real Big Baby” Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 Kos) taking on the hard-hitting Heavyweight Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 Kos).

This was a case of greatly underestimating your 284-pound monster standing across from you. At the first bell Jared started off well with a stiff jab changing levels head to body with good movement while Martin stayed surprisingly very stationary with a bait of a right hand looking to detonate which he eventually landed with a vicious uppercut and a three-punch combo that dropped Jared for the first time and a quick standing 8 count.

This was the beginning of the end for Jared who proceeded to ignored his coach’s instructions and decided to get his “get back” by going toe-to-toe with the Big Boy. Jared had his moments landing some big shots but Martin took them clean and brushed them off while landing his own hard hitting and destructive shots

As the rounds progressed the action started to look one sided for Bakole who was having his way with Jared busting him up from all angles. Jared refused to bow down and showed some serious toughness but going toe-to-toe with Bakole was not the right plan.

By the fifth round the inevitable was nearby. Bakole landed a well-placed left uppercut
That dropped Jared for the second time. A shaky looking Jared beat the count and was willing to continue only to be met with a barrage of unanswered punches dropping him again for the third time.

Jared once again beat the count to continue but the onslaught of heavy damaging punches coming his way forced the referee to step in and put a stop to the bout.

This was a very entertaining bout from start to finish but truth be told Bakole was simply too much too soon for Jared to handle.

A statement was made on the night that Bakole is a serious threat to anyone in the Heavyweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Derek Chisora”

Heavyweight Showdown

Over the past weekend a ‘WAR’ ready Derek Chisora (35-13, 23 Kos) handed “The Juggernaut’ Joe Joyce (16-3, 15 Kos) his third defeat of his career at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London.

Truth be told, this crossroads bout exceeded my expectation. Chisora showed me on Saturday night that he still had something left in him to pull it off. Chisora had absolutely no fear and stood his ground and banged toe-to-toe with the 281 pound “Juggernaut” who had the harder looking punches going for him but lacked severe hand speed at that weight.

It wasn’t a pretty fight to watch but watching Chisora hold his own and dishing it out at this age was quite entertaining. Chisora took in some heavy shots at times but his activity with his own punch output carried him over in a very tight bout.

Joe’s lack of defence cost him dearly once again as he got clipped and dropped for a quick standing 8 count in the ninth round which saw a tired Chisora still manage to maintain the momentum throughout the 10th round and finish the round strongly.

After 10 hard-hitting laboring rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 97-92, 96-94, 96-94 all in favor of Derek Chisora.

It was a physically tough bout on both warriors but the right combatant won this bout. Chisora went through hell and back on this one but silenced the naysayers who had counted him out. Well done!

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On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse”

WBC Heavyweight Challenge

Over the past weekend we witnessed the self-proclaimed GWOAT Claressa Shield (15-0, 3 Kos) conquer yet another Division when she moved up to Heavyweight and challenged our own Canadian WBC Heavyweight Champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-2-2, 2 Kos) at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Listen I’m a supporter of our Canadian athletes that get down and represent us to the fullest but this particular Heavyweight Showdown was a mismatch from the jump. No disrespect to Vanessa who was game to the challenge but truth be told she had nothing to deter Claressa from having her way with her inside that squared circle.

Although Claressa was the one moving up in weight, she was the bigger and stronger boxer of the two and wasted no time asserting herself by pressing the action from the first bell dishing out heavy punches from all angles clearly taking Vanessa by surprise.

Vanessa looked shaky and by the second round Claressa went in for the kill by dropping Vanessa with a heavy counter right hand off the ropes for a quick 8 count. When Vanessa rose back up she got dropped again by another right hand and a second standing 8 count. With Vanessa now looking defeated Claressa hit her up with a barrage of unanswered shots dropping Vanessa for the third time and prompting the referee and Vanessa’s corner to stop the fight.

This is a very impressive version of Claressa where she continues to add to her historical career by adding the WBC Heavyweight Title and the vacant WBO Light Heavyweight Title, now crowning her a four Division Champion.

Congratulations Claressa on another dominating performance. Good luck to the challengers attempting to dethrone this version of the self-proclaimed GWOAT, she definitely walks it like she talks it, Hands Down!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois”

IBF World Heavyweight Challenge

With Oleksandr Usyk recently announcing that he has vacated the IBF Heavyweight Title, Interim IBF Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 Kos) has now been elevated to full IBF Heavyweight Champion of the World, clearing a perfect path to make the first defense of his Title against former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 Kos) in an all-British Showdown on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London, England, courtesy of Riyadh Season.

This is a very intriguing matchup where both combatants look the part and carry the power to end the night in a dramatic fashion. The youth that Dubois has over AJ could come into play and the momentum that Dubois is rocking after stoppage wins over Jarell Miller and Filip Hrgovic has him feeling unbeatable.

That being said, Anthony himself has been looking on point in his last few fights as well and very much focussed on the task at hand. Regardless of the opponent across from him, his sole purpose is to dominate the Heavyweight Division once again and regain the Championship Titles by any means necessary.

The experience AJ has on the biggest stage will definitely play a part but the young Lion in Dubois will bring a significant amount of a challenge on the night. Both combatants have shown much improvement as of late with the confidence beaming from both sides, but the million-dollar question in the room is who will prevail victorious.

Tune in and be part of this mega British Heavyweight Showdown on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Queensberry vs Matchroom 5 vs 5”

Queensberry vs Matchroom 5 vs 5

Thank you to his Excellency Turki Alashikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority for hosting another great show at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By facilitating two of the biggest promoters in boxing in Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn to go head-to-head, Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom Boxing came up with an intriguing and competitive “5 vs 5” that definitely brought the “HEAT” inside that squared circle.Although the outcome of it all was surprisingly one-sided, the anticipation brought forward was well worth it.

First up on the night representing Queensberry was Light Heavyweight Willy Hutchinson (18-1, 13 Kos) who took on Matchroom representative Light Heavyweight Craig Richards (18-4-1, 11 Kos). Hutchinson, who was the underdog on paper talked the most sh*t on the build-up to the fight undermining the more proven fighter, Richards. This was a good domestic dust up to start the night where both combatants had their moments but Hutchinson, the younger warrior seemed to be one step ahead all night making it look easy outmanoeuvring his opponent at will inside that squared circle. Richards, although he tried, did not have the right “game plan” on the night to sway the Judges. After 12 rounds of one-sided action the Judges at hand called it 119-109, 117-111, 116-112 unanimously for Willy Hutchinson. With this win under his belt Willy is now the proud owner of the vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Championship. Well done.

Next up was WBA Featherweight Champion Raymond Ford (15-1-1, 8 Kos) representing Matchroom defending his recently earned title against the always ready Nick Ball (20-0-1, 11 Kos) representing Queensberry who himself recently had to settle for a draw against WBC Featherweight Champion Rey Vargas in his prior attempt at obtaining a Championship Title. On this night, knowing you don’t always get a second chance that quick at a title opportunity, Nick wasted no time at pressing the action right from the jump. Nick’s style is simple but effective if you can’t deter him from coming forward. Nick throws punches in bunches with some pop behind every punch. Although Nick is short in stature, his presence inside that squared circle seems to always be too much for his opponents to handle. Although Raymond did do his best at standing his ground going toe-to-toe with Nick and having some moments, it was visibly Nick having the more telling effects as the rounds progressed. Nick made it very uncomfortable for Raymond to maintain any type of consistent momentum round after round. After 12 rounds of action one Judge called it 115-113 for Raymond while the other two Judges called it 115-113, 115-113 for Nick giving him the split decision win and the New WBA Featherweight Champion of the world. Well done, Champ!

Next up in a WBC Middleweight Title Eliminator we had Hamzah Sheeraz (20-0, 16 Kos) representing Queensberry taking on Austin Williams (16-1, 11 Kos) representing Matchroom in what was a very entertaining bout where both combatants had their moments. Austin pressed the action early with his aggressive style while Sheeraz remained patient throughout the bout and controlled his distance with a stiff but heavy jab. The action was nonstop round after round but nearing the end of the tenth round, Sheeraz caught Austin with a quick right hand that dropped him for a standing 8 count at the sound of the bell. At the beginning of the eleventh round the inevitable was around the corner. Seeing that Austin hadn’t clearly recovered from being dropped in the previous round Sheeraz wasted no time and went in for the kill and detonated heavy unanswered shots to the head of Austin who was about to get dropped prompting the referee at hand to step in and halt the bout at the 45 second mark of the opening round. This was a competitive bout from start to finish but Sheeraz clearly showed his superiority with his power to close the show. Well done.

Next up in an Interim IBF Heavyweight Championship we had Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 Kos) representing Matchroom going at it with Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 Kos) representing Queensberry. Many thought that Dubois would be outclassed by the former 2016 Olympian Hrgovic but what transpired on the night was quite the opposite. Although both combatants did come out the gate throwing heavy leather at each other looking to do harm, it was Dubois who administered the most visible damage having Hrgovic bleeding from both eyes. Personally, I think Hrgovic didn’t look battle ready to handle Dubois. Hrgovic in the later rounds looked battered and exhausted unable to deter Dubois who was coming in stronger as the rounds progressed. Hrgovic was looking so weather-beaten by the eighth round that the referee had the ringside doctor examine his cuts who then recommended that the bout be halted. I expected Hrgovic to bring the “HEAT” on the night but this version of Hrgovic was not it. Dubois impressed me some more on the night and fought fearlessly against a very worthy opponent. Dubois kept his foot on Hrgovic’s neck and delivered a very good win which turned him into an Interim IBF Heavyweight Champion. Well done. Who’s next?

The Main Event and the final showdown of the “5 vs 5” came down to former Interim WBO Heavyweight Champion Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 Kos) representing Queensberry going up against former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 kos) representing Matchroom. Two very hard-hitting punchers looking to keep their careers alive. A lot was said about this matchup on whether retirement might be nearing considering their age but the outcome of this bout proved once again that “Big Bang” Zhang is still very relevant in today’s Heavyweight contention. The action was slow out the gate as both combatants were very aware of the power they both possess but it was only a matter of time before one of them connected with anything to garner the right attention. Wilder looked timid, disengaged and gun-shy every time he even attempted to throw anything solid, unlike Zhang who threw his punches with the purpose of doing bodily harm with every punch thrown. Wilder came to life in the fifth round attempting to let his hands go and getting the crowd involved only to be brought right back to reality by a heavy right hook by Zhang causing Deontay to contemplate life while spinning around lost in space defenseless and open for a detonating right hand that knocked him down flat on his back like a crime scene. Although a shaky looking Wilder made it back to his feet the referee pulled the plug preventing Deontay from absorbing any further damage. Wilder’s power has always been the key to his victories but last night Wilder was severely outsized and outgunned by Zhang who was determined to close the show the “Big Bang” way. Well done.

With this win now secured, Frank Warren and his Queensberry Promotions team had themselves a clean sweep of the first of many “5 vs 5” event with Matchroom Boxing.

Great night of Boxing!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk”

Undisputed Heavyweight Championship

The highly anticipated Undisputed Heavyweight Showdown between WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 Kos) and undefeated Unified Heavyweight IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 Kos) definitely brought the house down at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Them two Champions did the Heavyweight Division justice last night by bringing their best foot forward along with their “A” game that kept the tension in the building on high level for the duration of the entire bout.

In an impressive fashion, Usyk the smaller combatant, pressed the much bigger combatant Fury all night throwing punches in bunches creating havoc, attempting to disrupt Fury from having any type of comfortability inside that squared circle.

That said, Tyson came out the gate with a very good stiff jab that occasionally did tag Usyk but did not discourage him from sticking to the “game plan” of constantly applying pressure round after round.

Aside from the off and on showboating that Fury was attempting to distract the laser focussed Usyk, Tyson fought a very good fight for most of the night. Where I think Fury went wrong is thinking he was going to walk right through Usyk with ease and overwhelm him with his speed and size.

Tyson underestimated the skill set that Usyk possessed but quickly found out how levels above Usyk truly is inside that squared circle. As the rounds progressed, Usyk’s pressure and power punches were having a visible effect on the “Gypsy King” who was caught retreating from the smaller man whose pressure was becoming unavoidable at times.

Although Usyk did have to work extremely hard to crack a dent in the towering “Gypsy King”, Usyk systematically made the right adjustments needed to hurt Fury and had him physically out on his feet in the ninth round only being held up by the ropes prompting the referee to rule it a knockdown and handing him an 8-count saving Fury from having Usyk finish him off.

The proceeding rounds showed us once again that Usyk was the aggressor with a seek and destroy attitude clearly troubling the badly hurt Fury who looked puzzled by what was transpiring inside that squared circle. The “Gypsy King” was in a real fight this time around and was noticeably outgunned and outmatched by a determined warrior inside that squared circle.

After 12 exciting rounds of action, the Judges at hand called it 115-112, 114-113 for Usyk and 113-114 for Fury proclaiming the winner by split decision and the New Undisputed IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion of the World Oleksandr Usyk!
This win now places Usyk as a former Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion and now an Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. An incredible feat to place amongst the elite of the elite in boxing history.

Well done, Champ, you deserve every accolade earned. You traveled from country to country to vanquish the best of the best. You truly are “The Last Man Standing”.

Congratulations Champ. Enjoy this moment for yourself and your country!

Blaze