On The Watch “It’s All About Jojo Diaz Jr. vs Javier Fortuna”

Vacant WBC Interim Lightweight Title

Jojo Diaz Jr. (32-1-1, 15 Kos) came up a division last night to the 135-Pound Division to challenge Javier Fortuna (36-3-1, 25 Kos) for the WBC Interim Lightweight Title on the Golden Boy/DAZN co Main Event at the Banc of California Stadium, in Los Angeles, California, and did not disappoint.

Jojo stayed true to himself and came in tip top shape made weight comfortably and looked like a legit Lightweight inside that squared circle.

Jojo understood what this important bout meant to him and his future and wasted no time asserting himself inside that squared circle. Jojo needed a great performance last night and he made sure to deliver.

Both combatants threw some serious hands at each other going back and forth keeping things exciting but as the rounds were piling up you could clearly see Diaz getting a slight edge over Fortuna.

I don’t think Javier anticipated Diaz being so aggressive and active with his hands but them two combatants made it tough on each other with Diaz probably getting the better body work of the two. The phone booth style they had going at times was very impressive.

That being said, this was certainly a close bout and after 12 rounds of non-stop action the Judges scored it 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 unanimously in favor of Jojo Diaz Jr. Personally, I thought the bout was a lot closer than that but the right warrior definitely won this fight.

With this great win Jojo picked up the Vacant WBC Interim Lightweight Title and is now looking to compete amongst the top of the 135-Pound Division of the likes of Ring Magazine and Unified “King Pin” Teofimo Lopez, WBC Champion Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Ryan Garcia.

However, the two main combatants on his list as of today are Ryan Garcia or WBC Champion Devin Haney.

Let’s see who answers the call, until then congratulations Jojo you earned that one.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Masayoshi Nakatani”

Lightweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event saw the return of Vasiliy Lomachenko (15-2, 10 Kos) taking on
Masayoshi Nakatani (19-2, 13 Kos) at the Virgin Hotels, in Las Vegas Nevada.

“Loma” came into this bout with a chip on his shoulders and showed us what a fully healed driven fighter can accomplish when no existing lingering injuries are present.

No disrespect to Nakatani, but last night Masayoshi was merely a prop for Loma’s 2.0. version of the “Matrix” inside that squared circle. Loma broke down the bigger, rangier and taller combatant piece by piece at will from head to body round by round.

There was absolutely nothing Nakatani could do to stop the smaller “Loma” from having his way with him inside that squared circle. Punches were coming from all corners with speed and precision. “Loma” looked surprisingly sharp for someone who just came back from shoulder surgery.

Nakatani looked lost and puzzled with no real “game plan” to stop the offensive onslaught coming his way. By the 9th round Nakatani was pretty much out on his feet from the barrage
he was absorbing and eventually dropped to the canvas which then prompted the referee to stop the bout.

This was a masterful performance by “Loma” hands down against a worthy opponent. With this convincing win “Loma” has rightfully reinserted himself back into title contention once again.

It will be interesting to see if IBF/WBA/WBO/WBC Franchise Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 Kos) offers Lomachenko that rematch he’s been asking for.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez”

Lightweight Title Defence

In tonight’s Main Event at the SSE Arena, Wembley, London between Undisputed Lightweight IBF/WBC/WBA/WBO Champion Katie Taylor (17-0, 6 Kos) and WBA mandatory challenger Miriam Gutierrez (13-1, 5 Kos) was nothing short of a clinical display of exceptional boxing by the Champion.

Katie asserted herself from round one and never took her foot off the gas. Katie made it clear tonight that she was not in the mood to play around with her opponent. Katie punished Gutierrez with flurries of punches that stung so hard that at times Gutierrez looked puzzled and overwhelmed by Katie’s none-stop pressure.

It was clear as the rounds wore on that Gutierrez was absolutely no match for Katie. However, I got to give it up to Gutierrez for taking her punishment and not giving up on the fight even after hitting the canvas in the fourth round for a quick 8 count, Gutierrez showed a lot of heart and still managed to make it through the end.

Katie showed us tonight why she is the Queen of the Lightweight Division. Her boxing IQ is something serious and not easily matched. After 10 rounds of action the Judges scored it 100-90, 100-89 and 99-91 in favor of Taylor.

Another dominant performance by the Undisputed IBF/WBC/WBA/WBO and Ring Magazine Champion Katie Taylor.

Job well done Katie. I can’t wait to see who will step up and challenge the Queen in your next outing.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez”

Lightweight Title Unification Challenge

Last night’s highly anticipated Lightweight Division Main Event battle between WBA/WBO/WBC “Franchise” Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-2, 10 Kos) and IBF Champion Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 Kos) inside “The Bubble” at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, was nothing short of entertaining.

Lopez showed up last night and showed up “BIG” inside that squared circle and corrupted the “Matrix” that is Lomachenko, real early with a flawless “game plan” from the jump. It was a chess match between two top tier combatants. However, the Master Chess player in Loma miscalculated his approach and fell behind in the first half of the bout and had to play catch up to make up for lost ground.

Loma’s slow start cost him dearly in this bout. His usual tactic of confusing his opponent wasn’t working on Lopez. Teofimo landed non-stop body punches that clearly limited Loma’s come forward approach. Loma obviously didn’t expect for Lopez to be this quick and accurate with heavy hands at the end of each punch.

Although Loma started to get things going his way in later rounds, Lopez’s steady jab with a sting attached to it, prevented Loma from ever clearly getting set up in his familiar riddim of fighting.

Teofimo’s youth, boxing IQ and sheer will to win carried him over to the finish line when Loma attempted to press him in trying to steal away the later rounds.

Last night’s bout wasn’t a passing of the torch but more of a “Takeover” by the young Lion Teofimo Lopez Jr. who seized the WBA/WBO/WBC “Franchise” Belts from Lomachenko’s grasp and retained his IBF Lightweight Title to now becoming the youngest four-belt champion in Boxing History. The Judges scored it 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112. I personably saw it a little closer than that but can’t complain at the outcome. Your Boy Teofimo had to dig deep for this one and definitely earned it the hard way.

The Lightweight Division has a new “King” and he goes by the name of Teofimo Lopez Jr. The “Takeover” has begun.

Congratulations Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez”

Lightweight Title Unification Challenge

The highly anticipated battle in the Lightweight Division between WBA/WBO/WBC “Franchise” Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 Kos) and IBF Champion Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 Kos) has officially been signed and set to take place in “The Bubble”. It will be live on ESPN, Saturday October 17, 2020 from the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

This bout has been an intriguing one from the jump. Loma, one of the best Pound-for-Pound boxers in the game today will be looking to hand Teofimo, the young, strong and unbeaten lion in the game today, his first professional loss.

Teofimo has been talking that sh*t and backing it up from the time he stepped foot inside that squared circle. Lopez has absolutely no shortage of confidence that he will be the one to put a stop to the reign of the great Lomachenko.

That being said, Loma is a unique fighter who is not easy to figure out. The Dude has boxed the lights out of most of is opponents with relative ease. His Boxing IQ is next to none inside that squared circle.

Teofimo firmly believes that his youth, strength and his own Boxing IQ will be enough to dethrone the Lightweight Unified Champion Lomachenko.

Many have talked that talk but failed under the bright lights when the opportunity presented itself inside that squared circle. Loma “The Matrix” is the truth when he’s gloved up and his back is against the ropes but I do believe that Teofimo may be his toughest challenge to date. Real Talk!

However, for Lopez to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year, he will have to box a flawless bout or take him out early cause your Boy Loma possesses the stamina to go 12 rounds unbothered.

Teofimo has been calling for this moment from day one – now the time has come for the “Takeover” to manifest itself.

Tune in Saturday night October 17, 2020 live on ESPN from the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas and witness who will be crowned Lightweight Undisputed Champion of the World.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Vasyl Lomachenko vs Jose Pedraza”

Lightweight Title Unification Challenge

Last night, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, WBA Lightweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko (12-1, 9 Kos), fresh off a seven-month layoff due to shoulder surgery, performed exceptionally well to outgun WBO Lightweight Champion Jose Pedraza (25-2, 12 Kos) and unify the Lightweight Division.

It was a very interesting bout that was definitely more competitive than expected. Pedraza showed heart and determination and undeniably fought like a willing opponent out there but simply was met with a much more cerebral opponent in Loma. This kid is the truth inside that squared circle. There are levels to this “Boxing Game” and he knows too well how and when to step it up.

Loma systematically broke down Pedraza as the rounds wore on and punished him with a fury of combination punches that knocked him down twice in the 11th round. That being said I still tip my “B” hat to Pedraza for enduring the 11th round beating and completing the full 12 rounds on his feet like a true warrior.

With this win Loma is now Unified WBA/WBO Lightweight Champion and once again confirming his seating on the Pound-for-Pound list.

Congratulations Champ on securing another great accomplishment.

Blaze