On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven”

WBC Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN “Glory in Giza” Main Event between Unified IBF/WBA/WBC/ Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion of the World Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 Kos) and former Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion of the World Rico Verhoeven (1-1, 1 Ko), surpassed my expectation when both combatants bumped gloves at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

At the first bell you could see Usyk approaching this bout as a light night’s work for a hefty pay but as the rounds quickly progressed Usyk realized he was in a real fight with a strong warrior who had an old school style that was aggressive, awkward and defensively minded that was clearly efficient and hard to deter.

Truth be told, Verhoeven was winning rounds and had Usyk back peddling and confused by what was transpiring inside that squared circle. This novice boxer Verhoeven was putting in work and beating on Usyk the way none of his previous opponents could ever do to him in 24 fights.

This wasn’t the usual Usyk we’re used to seeing. This version of Usyk looked a little tired at times and more flat footed than usual but nevertheless still had some moments and made them count when the opportunity presented itself.

 That being said, regardless of how the Judges wanted to play it, going into the eleventh round I had Verhoeven ahead and Usyk needing a knockout to win this bout and with 20 seconds left in the round Usyk went into “BEAST MODE” and threw a well-placed uppercut that dropped Verhoeven to a standing 8 count. Clearly hurt and tired, Verhoeven rose back up but was met with a barrage of punches missing and connecting that prompted the referee to halt the fight seconds before the bell sounded.

I personally think the referee ruined this bout by not giving Verhoeven the chance to see the 12th and final round. The momentum was on Usyk’s side and Verhoeven was hurt but we will never know the true outcome of this bout had Verhoeven been given the opportunity to continue.

Nevertheless, I tip my “B” hat to Verhoeven for standing his ground and going toe-to-toe with the Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Controversy aside, Usyk retained his WBC Heavyweight Title and is still King of the Heavyweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez”

Heavyweight Showdown

In last night’s Ring Magazine/DAZN “Glory in Giza” IBF Heavyweight Eliminator, the highly touted undefeated American Heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. (14-1, 12 Kos) had himself a rude awakening when he stepped foot inside that squared circle opposite of Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (26-1, 19 Kos) at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Following his setback loss to Agit Kabayel in May of 2024, many pundits had written Sanchez off as a potential Heavyweight Champion but this Warrior stayed true to himself and went back to the lab to get ready for the next opportunity and when this bout was offered, he made sure to make it count.

Torrez had high hopes and envisioned having another dominant performance with his hand being raised when all was said and done but what transpired was the complete opposite. Torrez came out the gate gunz blazing pressing the action while Sanchez remained disciplined, calculative and accurate with his punch selection, surprisingly and firmly standing his ground with the aggressor.  

By the second round, “The Cuban Flash” went straight into attack mode and with barely 55 seconds into the round, Sanchez connected with a deadly well-placed right uppercut that flattened Torrez straight onto the canvas. Torrez managed to beat the referee’s count but eventually crumpled back onto the floor which then prompted the referee to halt the bout.

It was a dominant and impressive performance by “The Cuban Flash” which now places him back into contention, vying at an opportunity to challenge the King of the Heavyweight Division Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 Kos).

Until then, congratulations Sanchez. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois”

WBO Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/DAZN highly anticipated Main Event Heavyweight showdown between undefeated WBO Heavyweight Champion Fabio Wardley (20-1-1, 19 Kos) and former IBF Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (23-3- 22 Kos) did not disappoint with the performance that these warriors brought to the stage inside that squared circle.

From the first bell Wardley wasted absolutely no time in asserting himself and his power by dropping Dubois to a standing 8 count right from the jump and continued his destructive approach well into the third round by once again dropping Dubois to a standing 8 count where Dubois was looking shaky but not yet defeated.

Confidence was building on Wardley’s side but Dubois was also building confidence and never wavered under duress and asserted himself quite well, rebuilding his own momentum by fighting under control and the leadership of his cornerman.

Surprisingly, both combatants continued to fight toe-to-toe landing heavy damaging shots on one another round by round and creating a frenzy inside the building not knowing when it could all be over by the way these two warriors were going at it inside that squared circle.

This was a battle of attrition where your condition and resistance were being tested at all times. Although Dubois was the combatant who tasted the floor twice inside that squared circle, it was   Wardley who actually looked depleted and tired as the rounds progressed.

Dubois looked fresher in the later rounds hammering powerful heavy shots after heavy shots gaining some serious traction with his pressure round by round. Wardley showed us a sturdy chin and an even stronger will to survive as the rounds were clearly slipping away from him.

With Wardley’s nose damaged and one eye swollen shut, the inevitable was forthcoming as Dubois was breaking Wardley down with every punch landed. By the eleventh round, the one-sided punishment continued to the point that the referee had seen enough and stepped in to halt the bout to save Wardley from any further injury.

This was by far one of the best Heavyweight shootouts on British soil. Both warriors earned each other’s respect but there could only be one clear winner on the night and that is the new WBO Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois.

Congratulations Daniel on becoming a two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov”

Heavyweight Showdown

In tonight’s Netflix Main Event we saw the return of Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (35-2-1, 24 Kos) get some much-needed rounds in when he took on our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov (21-3, 19 Kos) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

I expected our towering and strong Arslanbek to at least put up a good fight but what transpired was very disappointing to say the least. Our so called “Lion” showed up as a “cub” who refused to listen to the instructions that his cornerman was dishing out to help direct him within the rounds.

Arslanbek lunged, grabbed and smothered his own work with very little skill displayed making the bout very ugly but perfect for Tyson who hadn’t graced the inside of a ring in 16 months, to stick his jab and move in and out all night.

Arslanbek, who looked the part, gassed out early in the rounds whereas Tyson, who didn’t look in peak physical shape, had the stamina and the punch output to keep Arslanbek confused and powerless inside that squared circle.

Arslanbek, who has power of his own, couldn’t land anything damaging enough to slow down “The Gypsy King” from having his way with him. Aside for showing a strong will to survive, Arslanbek got hit with uppercuts, body shots and jabs round after round.

This was a one-sided beatdown where Arslanbek pretty much showed up to collect a cheque and nothing else. After 12 labouring rounds of unrepresentative action the Judges at hand scored it 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 unanimously for the Tyson Fury.

Although Tyson clearly won this bout, this was by no means a performance to be screaming out “The Gypsy King” is back. Who’s next?

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder”

Heavyweight Showdown

In tonight’s DAZN Main Event, Derek “War” Chisora (36-14, 23 Kos) entered that squared circle in his 50th contest and stayed true to himself and brought the “HEAT” from the first bell when he touched gloves with former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay the “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (45-4-1, 43 Kos) at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London.

Truth be told, this bout wasn’t a pretty fight to watch but both combatants had some flashing moments throughout the bout that kept the fans in attendance entertained. Chisora, the shorter combatant, pressed the action as much as possible to prevent Wilder from detonating on him as everyone expected. This strategy worked at times but the heavy-handed “Bronze Bomber” still managed to land some heavy shots that visibly effected on Chisora.

Nevertheless, Wilder’s power did not deter Chisora from standing his ground and dishing out some damaging shots of his own. As the rounds progressed it was clear that fatigue was playing a big factor on both warriors as there was a lot of holding from both combatants slowing the pace of the fight down.

Chisora did his best at getting to the body of Wilder and crowding him as often as possible to prevent Wilder from catching any type of a rhythm which proved efficient until Chisora eventually got caught by that right hand dropped through the ropes in rounds eight and eleven.

Chisora stood back up after both knockdowns and continued his relentless aggressive attack throwing wild punches from every corner. There was very little display of a technical bout from either combatant but a fight was on full display.

After 12 struggling rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 115-112 for Chisora and 115-111 and 115-113 in favor of Wilder giving him a split decision win.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Queensberry Promotions/DAZN Main Event between undefeated Heavyweight Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 Kos) and Jermaine Franklin Jr. (24-3, 15 Kos), was another showcase type of an event for the young up-and-coming Heavyweight when he brought the house to their feet at Co-op Arena in Manchester, England. Real Talk!

Moses continued his destructive path without missing a beat when he entered that squared circle and completely annihilated tough and durable Jermaine Franklin by stopping him in the fifth round.

Jermaine had never been stopped before but then again, he hadn’t faced a young hungry warrior of the likes of Itauma. Moses systematically broke down the veteran combatant with ease by landing heavy destructive head shots that were visibly doing damage every time they landed. You could tell from the opening rounds that this was going to be quick night of action.

For a young combatant, Moses’ patience and discipline is key when he’s inside that squared circle. That being said, Jermaine was specifically brought in to test the young warrior but found out after being dropped in the third round by a heavy left hand that this youngin was the truth and a serious problem to solve.

Having felt the youngin’s power early in the bout, the inevitable was on the horizon. Moses continued to apply his controlled aggression with accurate hard punches and eventually connected with a well-placed left uppercut that laid Jermaine out for the count which then prompted the referee to stop the bout in the fifth round.

This was an impressive showing by Moses. Jermaine had gone the distance with both Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua in a respectable showing but was unable to withstand the heavy onslaught that Moses Itauma brought on the night.

Well done, Moses. Statement made.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois”

WBO Heavyweight Challenge

A very intriguing Heavyweight showdown has officially been announced where newly crowned WBO Heavyweight Champion Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 Kos) will be looking to have a voluntary first defence of his Championship Title against former IBF Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 Kos) at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on May 9, 2026. 

Interestingly, Wardley could have chosen a softer touch for his first title defence but specifically sought out Dubois as he is one of the most dangerous opponents available and the one that would give him an even better look once he adds that conquest to his resume.

Wardley is a real Warrior looking to be taken seriously in the Heavyweight Division so looking for an easy roll out is not in his present DNA. This bout is being billed as “Don’t Blink” due to the fact that both combatants pack some heavy heat and have proven in the past to do some serious damage to their opponents. 

The 95% knockout ratio they both carry speaks volumes, hence the intrigue. My question is which combatant will be able to withstand each other’s heavy onslaught when the going gets tough inside that squared circle?

This championship bout is set to be a 12 round competition but truth be told, with these two heavy- handed combatants gracing that squared circle Saturday night May 9, 2026, at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, anticipate a quick and destructive outcome.

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Alexis Barriere vs Guido Vianello”

Heavyweight Showdown

In last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Co-Feature Main Event at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, our own Canadian prospect Alexis Barriere (12-1, 10 Kos) was dealt a minor setback at the hands of Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (14-3, 12 Kos).

No one anticipated ever seeing this outcome but truth be told, Guido was never going to be an easy out for anybody in the Heavyweight Division on any given night. Coming off a tough 10 round loss to Heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr., Guido desperately needed a win to keep himself going in the Heavyweight conversations.

Giving what was at stake, Guido proceeded to dish out his best work by dismantling Alexis from head to body inside that squared circle. Alexis looked outgunned and unprepared for the pressure and the heavy shots that were coming his way.

Usually, Alexis is the hunter inside the squared circle but on this night, he was the hunted being outboxed and outhustled from every angle. Guido’s speed and power played a major factor as he was able to drop Alexis in the fourth round and stop Alexis in the fifth round after the referee waved it over preventing any further onslaught. This was a tough loss for Alexis and a teaching lesson that he will bounce back from but this was definitely a great win for Guido.

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov”

Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between Dave “White Rhino” Allen (24-8-2, 19 Kos) and our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2, 19 Kos), was an entertaining bout that had the 9,000 fans in attendance on the edge of their seats at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.

Dave, fresh off stopping the young and upcoming Heavyweight Johnny Fisher in his last bout, was feeling like the stars were aligning themselves in his favour and proceeded to tackle another hefty challenge in the form Arslanbek Makhmudov and chopping down the big “Lion” that most would opt to avoid on their road to redemption.

The “White Rhino” went into this bout with the utmost confidence but was met with a force that refused to succumb and in return Arslanbek gave Dave a good beating throughout the duration of the bout.

Dave showed us once again that his chin is a hell of a tough one to take down but that steady heavy jab that Arslanbek was dishing out round by round was quite affective and consistent at preventing Dave from getting to him.  At times things got ugly inside that squared circle as Arslanbek did a lot of holding and eventually lost a few points because of it.

Dave had a few sporadic moments throughout the bout but was not active enough with his hands when the opportunity presented itself. Although Arslanbek looked tired in the later rounds his work rate over all could not go unnoticed.

After 12 full rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-109, 116-110 and 115-111 unanimously for Arslanbek Makhmudov.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and last night our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek Makhmudov showed just that by beating a tough and durable warrior in Dave Allen.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Lani Daniels”

Undisputed Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Salita Promotions/DAZN Main Event was another showcase type of an event for the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” IBF/WBA/WBC/WBF/WBO Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Claressa Shields (17-0, 3 Kos) who defended her crown against IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Lani Daniels (11-3-2, 1 Ko) at the packed house at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

First off there are levels to this boxing sh*t and when all them ladies were stepping up to Claressa on the build-up to the fight, they got a lot of talk but very little action as they stepped foot inside that squared circle opposite of the “GWOAT”. Real Talk!

Lani used a lot of movement in the first few rounds as Claressa pressed the action in an aggressive fashion looking for that work. It was quite evident from the jump that Lani did not possess the required skill set to offset Claressa from having her way with her.

Lani couldn’t match the output of punches coming her way round by round but one thing she did show was durability by the way she was taking them punches coming in from all angles and remained standing. It was a dominant performance by Claressa who looked focused at the job at hand. She wanted to put on a show for her home crowd by looking to stop Lani but this girl was tough and did whatever it took not to get stopped.

  That being said, Claressa was on point from all angles. Her speed, accuracy, punch output and her boxing IQ were all on full display last night. After 10 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand scored it 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91 unanimously for Claressa Shields.

With this win, Claressa retained her IBF/WBA/WBC/WBF/WBO Undisputed Heavyweight Championship Titles with very little competition ahead to look forward too.

Claressa is simply too good for any of the three Undisputed Divisions she conquered. The “GWOAT” is definitely here to stay. Hands Down!

Good luck to the future competition.

Blaze