On The Watch “It’s All About Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce 2″

WBO Interim Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/ESPN+ Main Event between WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1 21 Kos) and challenger Joe Joyce (15-2, 14 Kos) at the Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, UK, exceeded all expectation in my eyes.

This rematch between these two Heavyweight mammoths had a lot on it riding tonight. The winner gets to move one step closer to a chance at a full-fledged Championship opportunity while the loser would have to fall back deep at the end of the line in the hopes of working their way back into the Heavyweight rankings, a destination that would look quite bleak considering their age at this point in their career.

That being said, the elder and WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion Zhilei wasted no time in executing the proper “game plan” and proceeded to continue his assault and sheer domination from their previous encounter by completely destroying the “Juggernaut” Joe Joyce in a quicker fashion this time around. Real Talk!

Joe, who weighed in this time about 25 pounds heavier at 281 pounds, had the right idea but not the right “game plan” to even bother the even heavier Zhang at 287 pounds. Zhang’s last win over Joe was a beautiful display of boxing at its best for a Heavyweight but this time around, Zhang wasted very little time inside that squared circle and made quick work of Joe by stopping him once again but in a much more dramatic fashion. Only three rounds were needed and a perfectly placed right hook to the chin closed the show for good. Unbelievable!

Joe, who had never been dropped in his career to date could not answer the count in time enough to prove to the Judge at hand that he was fit and ready to go. Joe’s unsteady legs were clear enough for the referee to wave the bout off.

As a strong 40-year-old, Zhang has once again proven to the boxing world and the Heavyweight Division, that as long as he’s got them hands and that power behind that punch, he will be a problem for anyone who steps foot inside that squared circle against him.

With this devastating win now secured under his belt for the second time, Zhang now retains his
WBO Interim Heavyweight Championship and hopes one day to be able to challenge Unified IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk or WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury inside that squared circle.

Until then, enjoy this victory Zhilei, your time is now!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois”

IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Heavyweight Championship Main Event at the Stadion Wroclaw, Poland, between Undefeated Unified IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 Kos) and WBA World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois (19-2, 18 Kos), was a very entertaining bout but will forever be tainted by what transpired in the fifth round.

Usyk, who came out the gate confident as ever, dominated his opponent with ease as the rounds progressed but was met with a controversial incident in the fifth round when Dubois connected with a vicious body shot that brutally dropped Usyk to the ground to which the referee on hand shockingly ruled a low blow when it was clearly a well-placed legal body shot.

That moment was suspect if you ask me but the time that Usyk was permitted to recover before the fight resumed was just enough for him to return to form and continue his dominance.

Dubois failed miserably to capitalize on the fact that Usyk was still hurt from the body shot and showed no sense of real urgency round by round. Usyk on the other hand showed even more aggression while putting his own punches together throwing four-piece combinations and dropping Dubois for a quick 8 count late in the eighth round. Dubois was unraveling and showing fatigue and signs of breaking down. The inevitable was near and by the ninth round Usyk applied the right amount of pressure and connected with a well-placed right jab straight to the chin of Dubois dropping him once again but this time refusing to answer the count prompting the referee to wave the bout.

Although Usyk showed levels above Dubois inside that squared circle tonight and retained his IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship Titles, the wrong call in the fifth round will always be in the back of everybody’s mind.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

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

Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Main Event was a homecoming bout set up for the young and upcoming Heavyweight prospect Jared “Big Baby” Anderson (15-0, 14 Kos) to show off his skills against seasoned veteran and former IBF Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin (29-4-1, 26 Kos) at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.

Charles, who accepted the task on 12 days’ notice but was visibly already in great shape, made sure to give Jared a tougher challenge than his previous 14 marks who got dissipated brutally by knockouts.

Jared is a “Big Boy” inside that squared circle with size, strength and a good number of skills that are still developing for a young man his age. Martin had to be strategic with his approach and may have been a little too cautious in the opening rounds restricting his punch output but making Jared work to get his offence going.

That said, it didn’t take long for Jared to land something significant that knocked Martin down in the third round for a quick 8 count but had Martin bounce back still willing and able to stand his ground and put in that work.

Martin’s punch output wasn’t the best but he did manage to connect and stagger Jared at times throughout the bout. As the rounds progressed Martin’s unwillingness to submit to Jared made things inside that squared circle quite entertaining.

For the first time in his professional career to date, Jared was met with a formidable opponent who was battle tested, savvy and willing to go toe to toe, blow for blow and actually give some heat right back to Jared without folding under the pressure of the youngin.

Jared showed growth in this bout and proceeded to get the job done as instructed by his corner man. After 10 fully completed rounds the Judges at hand scored it 99-90, 99-90 and 98-91 unanimously for Jared Anderson. Going the full 10 rounds for the first time in his early career was the best thing that could have happened for Jared. He got in some quality rounds and felt some real heat from an ex-champion that will only make him better the next time out.

Congratulations on your win Jared, last night you got tested inside that squared circle and passed with flying colours. Now on to the next youngin.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang”

WBO Interim-Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotions/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 Kos) and challenger Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 kos) at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London, Uk, was a case of a cherry pick by Joe’s team gone wrong. Real Talk!

Joyce walked inside that squared circle with absolutely no respect for his opponent but quickly found out within minutes of the first round that he was in there with a “Big Bang” of an opponent who was gamed and willing to bang toe-to-toe with the “Juggernaut”.

Zhang stood his ground early and asserted himself quite well-hitting Joyce flush with some serious heavy shots straight to the dome and drawing first blood from his nose. It was clear to me from the first two rounds that Joyce’s team definitely drew up the wrong “game plan” cause Joyce was there boxing but looking shaky every time he got hit hard.

It was certainly unfamiliar ground for Joyce who was caught off guard at the receiving end of a game warrior. Zhang showed absolutely no fear inside that squared circle. Zhang welcomed the opportunity presented to him and broke Joyce down round by round.

Although Joyce looked more active with his hands, it was Zhang who was doing the most damage with his. Zhang’s power punches completely closed Joyce’s right eye out prompting the ring physician to check his eye in between rounds to eventually having the referee stop the bout in the sixth round.

Nobody in attendance expected this bout to unravel like this but tonight the “Juggernaut” had met his match and succumbed to the hands of the “Big Bang” Zhang.

Congratulations Zhilei Zhang on becoming the New WBO Interim-Heavyweight Champion of the World. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 Kos) and Jermaine Franklin (21-2, 14 Kos) was a much-needed reception that AJ required to have in his own backyard at the 02 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK to uplift his spirit. Real Talk!

Everyone in attendance and me included expected to see AJ dispatch of his opponent in a very quick and destructive fashion but instead we got to see Anthony display a little of what he’s been working with alongside his new trainer Derrick James.

The detractors are going to be going for AJ’s head for not taking Jermaine out before the last bell but let’s keep it real AJ is on his third head trainer change and needed to execute the “game plan” at hand and build from there.

I personally would have appreciated seeing AJ being a little more aggressive in this bout but Franklin was not some chump who was inside that squared circle to lay down without a fight. Franklin did his best and stood up going toe to toe with the hulking AJ for 12 full rounds.

Franklin showed AJ no respect inside that squared circle but lacked the power to deter Anthony from having his way with his own stiff and heavy jab alongside some serious power combination shots as the rounds progressed. Had AJ sat on his punches with a little more aggression I believe he could have collected his 23rd knockout. Real talk!

At the completion of this bout, the Judges at hand scored it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 unanimously for Anthony Joshua. Although we didn’t get to see a destructive performance by Anthony, he did what was necessary to secure a much-needed win under his belt.

My personal opinion after watching this bout is that with Derrick James having more time with Joshua, I expect to see a much more improved and imposing Anthony in his next bout.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker”

WBO Interim Heavyweight Title

Tonight’s Queensberry Promotion Main Event between Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 Kos) and former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker (30-3, 21 Kos) was a hell of a dominating performance by the “Juggernaut” at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Tonight, Joe stayed true to his moniker “The Juggernaut” and ran through the durable opponent Parker with steady offense that couldn’t be deterred. Joe’s offensive pressure was too much for Parker to contain round by round. I’m not sure what kind of “game plan” Parker’s team had in mind but judging by what transpired inside that squared circle, Parker’s “game plan” was non-existent by the way he was getting manhandled by Joe inside that squared circle.

Parker’s approach was all wrong, thinking he could stand there going toe to toe with a wrecking ball like Joe Joyce was the absolute means to his demise. Joe Joyce was simply too big, too strong and simply too durable to be handled in such a crazy manner.

Parker showed some courage in attempting to go blow for blow with “The Juggernaut” but being at the receiving end of a steady heavy accurate jab, has a funny way of ending wrong for the opponent getting abused round by round.

It was quite evident that as the rounds progressed Parker’s confidence was starting to dwindle round by round. Parker had absolutely no answer to Joe’s steady onslaught and after being battered and beaten up from start to finish, Parker eventually succumbed to a heavy left hook to the dome that put him down for the count prompting the referee to halt the bout in the 11th round.

Joe’s jab was key at breaking down Parker from top to bottom. The “Juggernaut” has once again proven to be a serious problem to the Heavyweight Division by easily dismantling a worthy top 5 Heavyweight with such ease.

With this convincing win Joe has now picked up the WBO Interim Heavyweight Title, positioning himself to a clear path to a date with the Undefeated Unified IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksander Usyk (20-0, 13 kos).

Congratulations Joe, you are definitely on the right path to the Heavyweight Mountain top.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Carlos Takam”

Vacant WBC Silver Heavyweight Title

Last night’s Eye of the Tiger Management Main Event that went down at the Montreal Casino, Montreal Quebec, Canada between undefeated Heavyweight Arslanbek “Lion”Makhmudov (15-0, 14 Kos) and veteran Heavyweight challenger Carlos Takam (39-7-1, 28 Kos), was not as eventful as I expected.

From the way this bout unfolded it was clear that Arslanbek underestimated Takam inside that squared circle. Although Arslanbek did drop Takam in the first few seconds of the first round and then again in the seventh round, Arslanbek was clearly in a fight that he was not anticipating of being so tough.

Takam may have had a slow start in this bout but his strength, durability and experience at this level paid dividends last night. As big as Arslanbek was inside that squared circle he felt Takam’s presence throughout every round. Takam took some serious shots but gave just as much of his own making this bout that much harder to call.

Takam’s awkward style made it hard for Arslanbek to land his thunderous punches he is known for. Arslanbek’s lack of movement and footwork were a major issues that will need to be addressed if he plans on competing with the other top Heavyweights in the Division.

I tip my “B” hat to Takam for going toe to toe with the big “Lion” and forcing his opponent to go 10 full rounds for the first time in his career to date. The Judges for the night scored it 96-92, 96-92 and 97-91 unanimously for Arslanbek Makhmudov. Personally, I think Takam outworked Arslanbek and aside from the two knockdowns, did enough to deserve a draw. No disrespect to Arslanbek but the “Lion” did not perform like a king inside that squared circle last night.

That being said, Arslanbek was awarded the win and now picked up the Vacant WBC Silver Heavyweight Title.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Luis Ortiz”

WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator

Last night’s PBC/Fox PPV Main Event between former Unified Heavyweight Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 Kos) and Luis Ortiz (33-3 28 Kos) at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, was an interesting bout that saw “King Kong” be at the receiving end of three knockdowns during the 12-round contest. Unbelievable.

I’m not sure if Ortiz underestimated Ruiz inside that squared circle but after seeing the canvas twice in round two, Ortiz awoke and realized quickly that Andy was coming for him by all means necessary. It took Ortiz some time but he eventually gathered himself and adjusted his “game plan” by working his jab while boxing and moving around making Andy rethink his approach.

That said this version of Andy last night was patient, less active with his hands but more calculative with his approach making sure when he pressed the action, his presence was felt with every punch landed. Ruiz’s hand speed and counter punching was the key to his success.

Both combatants fought with caution and at a slower pace than expected at times but both still had signs of success whenever they did connect blows back and forth. That being said, Andy’s counter punching speed and power was quite evident when he once again dropped Ortiz in round seven for a quick 8 count, but Ortiz bounced backed up and completed the tough round.

Ortiz regrouped and managed to build up some momentum throughout the later rounds with an effective jab keeping Ruiz at bay but he lacked that extra bounce in the back of his jab to put Ruiz down whenever the opportunity presented itself.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 115-110, 114-111, 113-112 unanimously in favor of Andy Ruiz Jr.

Although Ruiz managed to drop Ortiz multiple times throughout the bout, this was by far one of his toughest battles to date. With this WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator win under his belt Andy creeps closer to an official WBC World Championship opportunity down the road.

Congratulations Andy on your latest win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua II”

IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Rematch Challenge

Tonight’s Heavyweight Championship rematch between Undefeated Unified IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 Kos) and former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 Kos) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, definitely lived up to the hype.

This highly anticipated bout was a continuation from their last meeting but this time Joshua, with a new trainer by his side, performed exceptionally better then his last outing. This time around AJ had a much better “game plan” and proceeded to execute it well but Usyk with his country of Ukraine at war on his mind, fought with all his people on the back of his shoulders and performed remarkably well with the added pressure.

That being said, AJ’s “game plan” was the right way to go about it in this bout but as the rounds progressed AJ seemed to divert from the plan at hand at times as Usyk proved to be just as elusive with his boxing skill on full display figuring AJ out as the rounds advanced.

AJ had some moments where he had the upper hand but neglected to capitalize and finish the job as the bigger and stronger man inside that squared circle and those critical times were key to him having that window of success.

Usyk weathered the storm and fought through the adversity and like the great technical combatant that he is managed to turn things around while never losing focus or confidence inside that squared circle.

This bout was a much closer outing then their last encounter but the deciding factors to me were the championship rounds where Usyk separated himself from AJ by being the much busier combatant in the most important rounds.

Both combatants showed fatigue in the later rounds but Usyk closed it out with pure will and effort in my eyes. After 12 full rounds of none stop action, the Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 for Usyk and 115-113 for Joshua giving the split decision win to Oleksandr Usyk.

With this second win over AJ under his belt, Usyk retained his IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Championship belts and picked up the prestigious Ring Magazine belt for good measure.

Had Anthony stuck to the original “game plan” and not gassed out, we definitely could have seen a different outcome but the superior warrior in Oleksandr Usyk prevailed and completed the task at hand.

Congratulations Oleksandr on your latest accomplishment, well done.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua”

IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Rematch Challenge

It has officially been announced, the highly anticipated Heavyweight rematch between newly crowned undefeated unified IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 Kos) and former Heavyweight Champion and challenger Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 Kos), has now been set for August 20th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This bout is a very important bout for both combatants but more so for the Heavyweight Division in general as the winner of this bout will most likely be looking to unify the Division with WBC/Ring Magazine Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 Kos).

That said, looking ahead is irrelevant at this point without first seeing the outcome of this rematch. Usyk has proven to all the naysayers that he is a legit Heavyweight worthy of the Heavyweight Crown by the way he systematically broke down Anthony round by round in their previous outing. Usyk is a very skillful combatant with the attributes to adapt to any scenario. A focussed Usyk is a difficult man to beat inside that squared circle.

That said, AJ will need to produce the right “game plan” in order to beat this version of the “War Machine” dedicated to representing his country by all means necessary. With a new trainer, Robert Garcia now running the camp, I anticipate a more aggressive, active, focussed and better prepared AJ to be ready to do whatever it takes to be victorious on August 20th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

We already know what Usyk will be bringing into that squared circle and judging by the odds makers favoring Usyk, they too are assuming a second victory over Anthony is inevitable. It will be up to AJ to defy all odds and execute the right plan at hand to avenge his loss and recapture the missing belts from his previous conqueror.

So much at stake and so many questions, tune in on DAZN Saturday August 20th from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to see who will reign supreme when the “Rage of the Red Sea” settles.

Blaze