On The Watch “It’s All About Jean Pascal vs Badou Jack”

Interim WBA/WBC Light Heavyweight Challenge

In a tough and competitive bout last night at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Jean Pascal (36-6-1, 20 Kos) retained his Interim WBA/WBC Belts with a tight split decision against Badou Jack (22-3-3, 13 Kos).

This bout was exciting from the jump. Pascal came out the gate and asserted himself real early with an aggressive style that bothered Jack. Pascal’s power shots were coming in bunches and connected with a serious overhand right with some serious jabs that staggered and dropped Jack in the 4th round for a quick 8 count with only 10 seconds left in the round.

In the second half of the bout Jack started to work his way back and putting in some good work. The rounds were tight and very competitive. The action was none stop and carried all the way to  the final round where Jack connected with a hard right hand that dropped Pascal for a quick 8 count with lots of time left in the 12th round but Pascal showed grit and fired back enough shots to still stay competitive and finished the round strong and on his feet.

When it was all said and done two of the Judges scored it 114-112, 114-112 in favor of Pascal and 114-112 in favor of Jack.

With this win Jean Pascal retains his Interim WBA Light Heavyweight Title and WBC “silver” Light Heavyweight Title and finishes the year 2019 on a positive high.

Job well done Pascal, congratulations.

Blaze

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

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Middleweight “King Pin” Champion Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 Kos) added another chapter to his history-making career last night at the MGM Grand Arena when he knocked out WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 Kos) in the eleventh round.

This bout was a chess match played at the highest level. Kovalev’s “game plan” was clear and executed to perfection. Sergey proceeded as instructed with his stiff jab and doubling up whenever permitted. As good as Kovalev’s jab was all night it literally came down to who had the better tactical approach on the night.

Canelo showed exceptional patience from the start. He did not let Kovalev’s jab deter him from the plan at hand which was making every punch count with controlled aggression. Canelo showed absolutely no fear towards the visibly bigger Kovalev. It was a thing of beauty to see how Canelo was systematically breaking down Kovalev’s body attack round by round.

Kovalev showed great boxing IQ throughout the very close bout but seemed to tire in the later rounds. All though the pace of the fight wasn’t that fast, Sergey was visibly looking weaker and ready for the “end game”. By round 11, Canelo went in for the kill with a devastating two-peace combo that flattened Kovalev into the ropes. Nuff said.

With this win, Canelo has once again conquered his fourth Division and becoming the fourth Mexican boxer to accomplish such an achievement. That being said, Canelo is now the only active boxer to concurrently hold world titles in the Light Heavyweight Division, Super Middleweight Division and Unified Middle Weight Division.

Congratulations Canelo on another great accomplishment. You are truly defying all odds and literally creating your own History.

Until the next chapter Champ.

Blaze

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

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Its Official, Middleweight “King Pin” Champion Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) will be moving up two weight Divisions to challenge Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 Kos) for his WBO Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday November 2, 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

From having two tough bouts with Gennady Golovkin onto a stern challenge with Daniel Jacobs, Canelo is now seeking to outdo himself once again by attempting to dethrone the Three-Time Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev and become the fourth Mexican fighter to win World Titles in four different Divisions.

I’m very intrigued with this matchup. A lot of people in the boxing community see this bout as a cherry pick by Canelo but I personally see it has a real tough task ahead for Alvarez. Real Talk! Peeps need to stop looking at Kovalev’s age and really see what the “Krusher” brings to that squared circle. With trainer Buddy McGirt by his side leading the helm and challenging him in camp, Kovalev has now regained focus and is now showing up a more disciplined fighter inside the ring. Sergey has shown us many times before that he is a very smart, skillful fighter with an extended boxing IQ that also carries heat in both hands. Definitely not a walk in the park for any competitor.

That being said, Canelo is out here chasing history and testing himself every time he enters that squared circle. Canelo is the total package at this point in his career. Skill for skill Alvarez is heads above most and on this night, November 2, 2019 Canelo will be banking on his extensive skills and the right “game plan” from trainer Eddy Reynoso to take down the visibly bigger and stronger “Krusher”.

A successful leap from the 160-pound Division to the 175-pound Division is not familiar. In fact, only a few of the greats have succeeded in doing so but Canelo feels he is destined to join the limited prestige club and plans on achieving that goal come Saturday night November 2, 2019 live on DAZN at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That is if he can effectively slay the “Krusher” down to pieces.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Marcus Browne vs Jean Pascal”

Interim WBA Light Heavyweight Challenge

Last night, on FOX at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Jean Pascal (34-6-1, 20 Kos) jumped right back into the Light Heavyweight contention by overcoming previously undefeated and Interim WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Marcus Browne (23-1, 16 Kos) by an eight round technical decision, due to a clash of heads from which Marcus suffered a severe cut over his left eye that then prompted the Dr. and the Referee to stop the bout.

This bout was shaping up to be a very interesting matchup. I would have liked to see it through the entire 12 rounds. Before the clash of heads, this bout was tight from start to finish. Marcus, who seemed to be controlling the bout and throwing more punches, still managed to get dropped by Pascal in the fourth round and then twice in the seventh round. Real Talk!

To me, Pascal was getting out-boxed at times but his heavy shots and clear-cut knock downs were to emphatic to overlook. It seemed to me that Browne’s punch resistance was particularly weak on that night and Pascal made sure to take advantage of it and made it count whenever the opening presented itself.

Once the bout went to the scorecards, all three Judges scored their fight identically, 75-74 across the panel for Pascal.

This surprise upset to Browne is a major hit considering Marcus was attempting to make the first defense of the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight Title. Personally, I’m thinking Marcus will ask to run it back one more time with Pascal if he has any plans on staying in contention in the top Light Heavyweight Division.

That being said, congratulations are in order to Pascal. With this win, Pascal is now the New WBA Interim Light Heavyweight and WBC “silver” Light Heavyweight Champion. With these two belts in his possession, Pascal has the option of a rematch with WBA Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (16-0, 11 Kos) or a bout with WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14 Kos). These are two very tough opponents sitting at the top of the Light Heavyweight Division.

The choice is yours Pascal now which avenue will you be taking?

Blaze

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

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Last night, at the Ford Center at the Star, in Frisco, Texas, Sergey Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 Kos) successfully avenged his previous loss to Eleider Alvarez (24-1, 12 Kos) by defeating him by unanimous decision.

With new trainer Buddy McGirt in his corner, Kovalev was a completely different fighter then the one who fought 6 months ago and lost his title to Alvarez. Real Talk!

This version of Kovalev who stepped into that squared circle last night was laser focussed with controlled aggression and a very effective jab that was on point throughout the entire bout. Kovalev stuck to the “game plan” at hand and never wavered. He showed patience with no signs of stamina issues well into the second half of the bout.

I was impressed and surprised by his discipline in this bout. Sergey controlled the fight from start to finish while being mindful of Alverez’s effort of trying to land something significant all night.

Alvarez’s approach in this bout was confusing to say the least. Alvarez was hoping to catch Sergey slipping in the second half but to his surprise Kovalev actually stepped it up and finished stronger than expected. Alvarez had no real answers for Kovalev’s strategic approach. Alvarez’s low punch output was definitely the most unexpected to me. Alverez’s overconfidence this time around cost him to succumb to his first professional defeat and his WBO Light Heavyweight Title.

With this win Kovalev now becomes three-time WBO Light Heavyweight Champion of the World and is now anxiously looking for a unification bout with either Titleholder in the 175-pound Division.

I’m curious to see which of the Champions is going accept the challenge.

Until then, congratulations on regaining your Championship Belt, Kovalev.  Job well 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 Adonis Stevenson vs Badou Jack”

WBC Light heavyweight Championship

Finally, it has officially been announced. One of the most intriguing match ups in the Light Heavyweight Division between Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (29-1, 24 Kos) and Badou Jack “The Ripper” (22-1,2, 13 Kos) is set to take place Saturday night May 19, 2018 live on SHOWTIME from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto rather than the original location previously planned for Montreal’s Bell Centre.

The WBC and Lineal Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis Stevenson will be making his 9th defense against probably his toughest task to date in Badou Jack, a former WBC Super Middleweight Champion who moved up a weight class to become WBA Light Heavyweight Champion but to later relinquish his title to hunt down Adonis’ prized possession of the WBC Belt.

A lot has been said about Stevenson’s previous opponents to date but this time around peeps are calling Badou Jack a high risk. I simply see it as the best fighting the best. Adonis is not new to this level of a challenge. Dude is the longest reigning Light Heavyweight World Champion for a reason; he knows his way pretty well inside that square circle and carries around a mean and well-known equalizer in the form of his left hand.

As for Badou Jack, this is an incredible opportunity for him to become a three-time World Champion and a chance at dethroning the Champ. He has faced every tough challenge head on to date and a win here would definitely raise his profile and income to the next level. His confidence is at an all-time high and he might carry the skills and the attributes to give Adonis a run for his money, but will he be able to execute the game plan come fight night?

The haters in the boxing community want to see Adonis take an “L” but Real Talk all bullsh*t aside Adonis is hands down one of the best in the Division and a dangerous Champion who knows too well how to finish a fight.

I anticipate nuff action from both fighters come fight night. The Light Heavyweight Division is about to get “shook”. Will “Superman” prevail or will the “Ripper” put him to rest.

Tune in live on SHOWTIME Saturday night May 19, 2018.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Sergey Kovalev vs Vyacheslav Shabranskyy”

WBO Light Heavyweight Championship

After suffering two humiliating defeats to now-retired Andre Ward, a determined and now refocused Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev is on a mission to regain the top position in the Light Heavyweight Division once again.

Last night at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sergey Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 Kos) had the opportunity to regain his first title he ever won, the WBO Light Heavyweight Belt back once again by defeating Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (19-2, 16 Kos).

On paper Shabranskyy looked like a formidable opponent to challenge and test Kovalev but to our surprise Shabranskyy found out the hard way that the so-called “Krusher” was not done yet. I’ve said this before and I’m gonna keep on saying it, there are levels to this Boxing Game and last night Shabranskyy was soundly out boxed and outclassed simply by a more seasoned and proven veteran fighter, hands down.

Sergey seemed to have gotten his swagger back by dismantling his opponent in less than six minutes. He knocked down Shabranskyy three times in the first round before the referee stopped the bout in the second round.

This was just what Kovalev needed, an impressive comeback fight with the WBO Light-Heavyweight Belt back under his waist. Congratulations on your emphatic win Sergey.

The road back to the top of the Division will not be an easy one. Dmitry Bivol holds the WBA Belt, Artur Beterbiev holds the IBF Belt and our Canadian Champion Adonis Stevenson has held the WBC Belt since 2013. The challenges are there and none of those Kats are easy marks but who will want to attempt at unifying the Division? All these Kats are talking a good game about it but who will actually do it?

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Artur Beterbiev vs Enrico Koelling”

IBF Light Heavyweight World Title

There is a new player in the Light Heavyweight Division ready to shake things up. With Andre “SOG” Ward now retired the IBF Light Heavyweight World Title was up for grabs last night at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California.

Undefeated #2 IBF two-time Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev (12-0, 12 Kos) and Enrico Koelling (23-2, 6 Kos) were the two fighters enlisted to take part for the IBF Light Heavyweight World Title.

Beterbiev has won on every level he has competed at to date and this opportunity wasn’t about to be any different. His dream of becoming a World Champion was his for the taking by any means necessary.

That being said, in a not so exciting bout Beterbiev quietly dismantled Koelling by dropping him two times in the 12th round when the referee decided enough was enough and halted the bout. The fans in attendance weren’t too impressed with Artur’s performance on that night but having seen first hand how Beterbiev usually handles his opponents, I wouldn’t stress this one too tough cuz your Boy Artur can crack with extreme power and box very well. I personally would worry about the next Dude to duke it out with him because the Light Heavyweight Division is in trouble once this Dude gets it going. REAL TALK!

Congratulations “King Artur” on becoming the New IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion.

Blaze