On The Watch “It’s All About Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz”

IBF Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Lightweight Champion Raymond Muratalla (24-0, 17 Kos) and Olympic Gold medalist, undefeated Challenger Andy Cruz (6-1, 3 Kos) was a competitive bout that had the fans in attendance at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, quite entertained.

Raymond knew exactly what he was up against and wasted no time executing his “game plan” from the fist bell. Raymond pressed the action with calculated pressure throwing punches from head to body at a higher clip rate than expected but definitely efficient enough to keep Andy from settling down into his own groove.

Andy did his part to match Raymond punch for punch but it was clear as the rounds progressed that Raymond was the one outworking Andy when push came to shove. Andy had his moments in between rounds but never quite capitalized on them enough in my eyes.

Raymond showed up last night and brought his “A” game inside that squared circle and silenced all the naysayers who discredited him as a Champion.

That being said, this was a highly competitive and technical bout where both combatants had to be on point to outduel one and other. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 114-114, 116-112 and 118-110 giving the majority decision to Raymond Muratalla.

Although the score of 118-110 is suspect in my eyes, the right man definitely won this bout hands down.

Congratulations Raymond on retaining your IBF Lightweight Championship.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Stephen Fulton vs O’Shaquie Foster”

Interim WBC Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s PBC/Prime Video Pay-Per-View co Main Event between WBC Super Featherweight Champion O’Shaquie Foster (24-3, 12 Kos) and challenger, former two Division Champion Stephen Fulton (23-2, 8 Kos), was supposed to be contested at the Super Featherweight Division but due to Stephen blowing the contractual weight limit by 2 pounds the bout got moved up to the Lightweight Division in order to maintain it on the card at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

It was very unprofessional of Stephen for blowing the weight after talking all that sh*t to the build-up of the fight. A lesson had to be given for the disrespect and O’Shaquie did just that by unleashing a one-sided beatdown that was well deserved.

O’Shaquie wasted no time at the first bell and started drilling in his stiff and accurate jab that couldn’t miss all night. O’Shaquie pressed the action using his size and his length walking down Stephen, who had absolutely no proper “game plan” at deterring O’Shaquie from having his way with him round by round.

O’Shaquie’s reach and power punches coming from all angles had Stephen bewildered and clueless all night. Stephen looked disengaged and inattentive to his corner man who was trying desperately to encourage him to let his hands go and fight back.

As the rounds progressed it was clear that Stephen was mentally and physically defeated. After 12 rounds of one-sided action the Judges at hand scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111 unanimously for O’Shaquie Foster.

With this impressive and dominant win, O’Shaquie is now the new Interim WBC Lightweight Champion and is still WBC Super Featherweight Champion, giving him the option in the coming days to decide whether to stay at the 135-Pound Division and challenge to upgrade his interim title by taking on the full WBC Champion Shakur Stevenson or returning to the 130-Pound Division to continue defending his title.

Until then, congratulations O’Shaquie on a great performance!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes”

Vacant WBO World Lightweight Challenge

First up in last night’s “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” were two undefeated warriors in Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17 Kos) and Sam Noakes (17-1, 15 Kos) vying for the Vacant WBO World Lightweight Title at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and boy did these two combatants put on a hell of a show. Real Talk!

Mason, who was the favourite on the night, walked in this bout full of confidence thinking this was going to be easy work but soon found out from the jump that Noakes wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Noakes proved to be a tougher combatant than his previous challengers because on this night Noakes brought the “HEAT” and forced Mason into a toe-to-toe type fight that his father/coach did not want for his son. Mason literally threw away the “game plan” and slugged it out with Noakes and brought the house up to their feet with the way these two tough warriors exchanged gloves from round to round.

A determined Mason dug deep and withstood all that was coming at him but gave out more of his own by pressing the action further in the championship rounds with some serious body and head shots clearly breaking the resilient Noakes down who refused to quit.

After 12 full rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-111, 115-111 and 115-111 unanimously for Abdullah Mason.

With this convincing win Mason picked up the Vacant WBO World Lightweight Title crowning him the youngest current male World Champion at 21 years old.

Congratulations Champ. Well done!

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Floyd Schofield vs Tevin Farmer”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night, Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (19-0, 13 Kos) set the town for the opening night of the MVP/DAZN Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Pay-Per-View main card, with a total annihilation of the former IBF Super featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer (33-9-1, 8 Kos) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Farmer talked a good game on route to this bout and felt very confident that he could derail the kid from competing with him at this level. That being said, Schofield accepted the challenge and silenced all the naysayers when he caught Farmer dead cold and chin checked him early in the first round with a heavy right hand that dropped him to a standing 8 count. He then followed up with another right hand straight to the dome and dropped Farmer again to another standing 8 count. Farmer looked shaky on them legs this time around and prime for the taking as Schofield unleashed an unanswered three punch combination that quickly prompted the referee to stop the bout.  

Farmer has always been known to give his opponents problems whether he won or loss but, on this night, he badly underestimated his opponent and paid a hefty price that got him blitzed in one round by a young and hungry combatant looking to make a name for himself.

This was a statement bout heard around the entire lightweight Division.  Your Boy Floyd Schofield is the house and on the come up looking for all the smoke.

Who’s next?

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About William Zepeda vs Tevin Farmer”

WBC Interim Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN rematch Main Event at Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico between WBC Interim Lightweight Champion William Zepeda (33-0, 27 kos) and challenger Tevin Farmer (33-8-1, 8 Kos), was more of a statement bout, than expected by the Champion Zepeda.

This time out Zepeda looked more like the warrior we are accustomed to seeing by the way he came out the gate with his controlled aggression and volume punches coming in from all angles catching Farmer off guard and unable to adjust on the fly.

Farmer, as competitive as he tried to be on the night, looked off and possibly injured his left arm and hand during the fight but nevertheless didn’t stop trying to hang in there with the super aggressive Zepeda who continued to press the action.

It was painful to watch at times considering Farmer was overmatched due to his injuries but I have to tip my “B” hat to Farmer for fighting through the pain and physical restrictions and still putting up a good fight while being compromised.

Farmer wasn’t visibly able to keep up with Zepeda’s work rate and aggression. Farmer was simply a wounded animal trying to survive but proceeded to do it in a way that you have to respect his “Gangsta” mentality made him refuse to concede at the hands of his opponent.

After 12 full rounds of action, one Judge had it 114-114 (suspect) while the other two Judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 giving William Zepeda the majority decision.

I personally think that a healthier version of Tevin Farmer on the night would have given us a different result but this wasn’t the case. Zepeda did what was needed to be done to secure the win and can now look forward to a possible showdown with the full WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 Kos).

Shakur vs Zepeda is an intriguing bout but only time will tell if and when the challenge will be accepted by both parties involved.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin”

WBA Lightweight Showdown

Over the past weekend, Undefeated WBA Lightweight Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 Kos) continued on his destructive path when he snatched the soul out of the “Ghost” Frank Martin (18-1, 12 Kos) on Amazon Prime at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For someone who hadn’t graced the ring in 14 months “Tank” wasted no time acclimating himself inside that squared circle. Gervonta looked cool and calm and downloading data while Frank was doing his best work trying to be active with his hands while avoiding Gervonta’s punches.

Frank looked sharp and full of confidence as the rounds progressed but soon found that when touched by Gervonta’s power, his demeanor changed as well. Martin, the visibly bigger combatant was very cautious of “Tank’s” left hand and in doing so he neglected to listen to his trainer at times who could see the foreseeable outcome.

Once “Tank” started walking Martin down leading him into traps on the ropes the takeover was inevitable. In the eighth round, Gervonta connected with a devastating well-placed uppercut followed by a straight left hand that put Frank out for the count. It was a beautiful display by a cerebral assassin.

With this win ‘Tank” retained his WBA Lightweight Title and informed the 135-Pound Division that he is back in full affect. Statement made.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Vasiliy Lomachenko vs George Kambosos Jr.”

Vacant IBF Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event was a personal one for former three-division World Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (18-3, 10 Kos) who turned back the clock and gave us fans a flawless and dominant performance over the IBO Lightweight Champion, former self-proclaimed “Emperor” George Kambosos Jr. (21-3, 10 Kos) at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and last night Lomachenko made sure his “A” game was on point by the way he took Kambosos to school right from the jump. Kambosos got caught sleeping in the “Matrix” with no way out, no answers, no proper “game plan” to deter the season veteran from having his way with him inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

The only thing Kambosos had going for him was his home court advantage which resulted to nothing since the fans in attendance were dazzled and impressed by the way Lomachenko was completely breaking down and outclassing Kambosos round by round.

Lomachenko showed us speed, amazing footwork, precision punching with power clearly troubling Kambosos who could not find any answers to prevent this onslaught of punches coming his way.

The inevitable was moments away and by the 11th round a swift but heavy body shot forced Kambosos to take a knee to regroup but he rose back up only to be sat down with another body shot prompting the referee to stop the bout as Kambosos’ corner instantly threw in the towel at 2:49 mark of the round.

With this dominant performance, Lomachenko picks up the vacant IBF Lightweight Title and Kambosos’ IBO Title positioning himself for a possible unification bout in the near future.

Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin”

WBA Lightweight Showdown

Your Boy is back! This intriguing matchup has finally been announced. Undefeated WBA Lightweight Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (29-0, 27 Kos) will be looking to defend his crown against undefeated challenger Frank “the Ghost” Martin (18-0, 12 Kos) Saturday night June 15, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Peeps need to pay attention to this bout right here and not sleep on it. “Tank” is the man 100 Grand no bulls*t but your Boy Martin is no walk in the park. Dude looks the part and plays the part very well. Martin has all the attributes needed to give “Tank” hell inside that squared circle.

The tough talk has been flying back and forth from both warriors clearly showing some serious animosity that will definitely need to be addressed inside that squared circle come fight night.

Now Frank be talking that real greasy sh*t to “Tank” but we already know what “Tank” brings to the ring every time: that equalizer and the skill set that goes hand in hand with it. Your Boy “Tank” is proven and a “Beast” inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

That being said, I’m anticipating Frank to have his sh*t together on the night. It’s “Show Time” and this is his opportunity on the biggest stage to prove to the world that he belongs amongst the best and back them tough talk up. Real Talk!

Tune in Saturday night June 15, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

Last night’s highly anticipated Top Rank/ESPN PPV Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 Kos) and mandatory challenger Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-3, 11 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

It was evident from round one that Devin quickly realized that he was in there with a hungry and motivated Loma who brought the heat and his extensive experience inside that squared circle.

Styles make fights and last night both combatant dug deep into their arsenal going toe to toe and blow for blow trying to get an advantage at any cost. Loma looked exceptionally strong and applied the most pressure in my eyes. Loma showed absolutely no fear and constantly initiated the offence not waiting for a counter from Devin.

Devin stood his ground and hit the body quite well but definitely looked surprised by how strong and witty Loma was inside that squared circle. At times Devin looked bewildered, not knowing how to deter Loma from applying such controlled aggression. Devin may have been the bigger and longer fighter on the night but Loma found a way in and neutralized Devin’s noticeable advantages.

Both combatants put in that work and it was a back-and-forth type battle round after round keeping it real tight to call but to me Loma asserted himself as the aggressor with the most controlled activity with punches landed round by round.

After 12 fully completed, exciting rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 unanimously for Devin Haney.

Judging by the scorecard handed in, it was evident that the work being done inside that squared circle by both combatants made it hard to call but truth be told, I can’t sit here and honestly say that Devin was the clear winner here and disregard the heavy work that Loma administered on the night. Loma turned back the clock on this one and stole the show if you ask me.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino”

Lightweight WBC Eliminator

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between former Two-Division Champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 Kos) and Shuichiro Yoshino (16-1, 12 Kos) was quite an impressive introduction that Shakur needed to announce himself to the world in the 135-Pound Division in his own backyard at the Prudential Center in Newark Newark, N.J.

The hard-hitting Yoshino did not expect to deal with this version of Stevenson inside that squared circle. It didn’t take long to notice that Shakur was the stronger combatant of the night. This version of Shakur was fiercer and aggressive with a come forward style of offense that only comes out from time to time and last night, Stevenson was on full display from all angle.

I personally expected Shakur to deal with some type of resistance but every time Yoshino attempted to press the action, he was at the receiving end of Shakur’s able ready heavy shots that eventually dropped him in the second and fourth round for a quick 8 count.

Stevenson uncharacteristically stood his ground from the jump and bullied the supposedly stronger combatant round after round and eventually breaking him down to the point where the referee saw no other option but to halt the bout saving Yoshino from any further unnecessary abuse in the sixth round.

With this very convincing win now under his belt, Shakur has officially put the Lightweight Division on notice. He personally called out the Undefeated Undisputed Lightweight Champion Devin Haney, since this win was a WBC title eliminator placing him in route to an inevitable showdown with the Champ.

Shakur is looking for that smoke and will not be denied.

Until then, congratulations Shakur on a very impressive win.

Blaze