On The Watch “It’s All About Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez”

WBA Light Heavyweight Challenge

I had expectations regarding tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates between WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 Kos) and Mandatory Challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 kos) but instead witnessed a very convincing and dominating performance by Bivol.

To be clear, I wasn’t disappointed with Bivol’s performance, it was “Zurdo’s” lack of a proper “game plan” and gun-shy approach that took me by surprise. “Zurdo” is usually the seek and destroy type combatant that puts just the right amount of pressure on his opponents demoralizing them into submission but tonight that effort from “Zurdo” was missing in action. Real Talk!

Tonight “Zurdo” had met his match in the form of Bivol the fundamentally sound assassin who broke him down round by round. Bivol showed levels to his boxing skills inside that squared circle. There was absoletely nothing that Gilberto could do to deter Bivol from having his way inside that squared circle. Bivol, the visibly smaller fighter bullied and walked down the much bigger combatant with utterly no fear.

Bivol was focussed from round 1 to 12 and never wavered at any time. His range and steady combination punches kept Gilberto honest and unable to settle down with his own offensive approach.

Gilberto failed to use his height or his range properly. His regular punch output and his usual body attack was nonexistent. I expected Gilberto to bring the “Heat” tonight but instead Gilberto’s gun-shy lack of approach cost him the biggest fight of his career to date.

That said, there wasn’t much Gilberto could do, Bivol had him on lock right from the Jump. Bivol proved once again why he is one of the most complete fighters in the game today.

This bout was out of reach from time and after 12 fully completed rounds, the Judges at hand made it an easy outcome of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111 in favor of Dmitry Bivol.

Gilberto Ramirez is a very worthy opponent for anybody in the Light Heavyweight Division but tonight Bivol made him look like a pedestrian who did not belong with him inside that squared circle.

Congratulations Dmitry on successfully defending your WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship for the 10th time.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Chantelle Cameron vs Jessica McCaskill”

Undisputed Junior Welterweight Championship

A new Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion was crowned tonight at the Matchroom/DAZN Co-Main Event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates between WBC/IBF
Junior Welterweight Champion Chantelle Cameron (17-0 8 Kos) and Undisputed Welterweight Champion Jessica McCaskill (12-3 5 Kos) who moved down in weight to accept the challenge.

The move down in weight wasn’t as eventful as Jessica expected as she was met with a formidable Champion in Chantelle who boxed and moved circles around Jessica while still maintaining a level of discipline and patience inside that squared circle.

Jessica did not make it easy with her rough house tactics but Chantelle’s superior boxing IQ soundly carried her round by round. I’m not sure what type of “game plan” Jessica’s corner constructed for this bout but truth be told, Jessica looked amateurish the way she was swinging wildly left and right with no real destination at hand. Jessica did not look like an Undisputed Welterweight Champion but rather like a fighter getting caught up in a street fight. Real Talk!

This version of Jessica made it really easy for Chantelle to collect the vacant WBA and WBO titles missing to complete the puzzle of Undisputed. Chantelle literally schooled the aggression out of Jessica and made it embarrassingly easy while doing so. After 10 rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 97-93, 96-94 and 96-94 all in favor of Chantelle Cameron.

With this convincing win over a Pound-for-Pound combatant in Jessica McCaskill, Chantelle retained her WBC/IBF Championship titles and collected the vacant WBA and WBO Titles, crowning her Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion of the world.

Congratulations Chantelle on becoming the 5th female Boxer to presently claim Undisputed Champion in the 4 Belt era. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Gennadiy Golovkin III”

Undisputed Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event trilogy bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 Kos) and Middleweight WBA/WBC Champion Gennadiy Golovkin (42-2-1, 37 Kos) who moved up to Super Middleweight, finally got put to bed once and for all.

Having seen two previously intriguing outings between Canelo and Golovkin, this version of “GGG” who showed up last night inside that squared circle was a shell of himself in my eyes. It was clear from the jump that Canelo was the aggressor proceeding with the “game plan” at hand while in a surprising way, Golovkin seemed tentative and unsure about how to proceed with his own “game plan”. Golovkin’s pistol jab was missing in action throughout the bout. His punch output was non-existent for most of the night.

Canelo was pretty much having his way round after round. His quickness and punch output were keeping Golovkin in retreat mode enabling him to get into any type of rhythm with his offence. Both combatants looked physically fit and ready to throw down but it was Canelo who had that focussed look of hunger and determination in his eyes.

As skillful as Golovkin is as an elite fighter, last night he looked slow, unsure, disengaged with no sense of urgency at what was unfolding inside that squared circle. Golovkin had absolutely no answer in trying to deter Canelo from having his way inside that squared circle. Thar said, Golovkin finally showed signs of the old “GGG” in the later rounds when he suddenly started to press the action by being a little more active with some aggression to gain some type of traction going his way.

It was the right idea but by then Canelo had already bagged enough deciding rounds to secure the bout. Golovkin put up a good effort in the championship rounds but a little too late in my eyes to sway the Judges. After twelve fully completed rounds the Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 unanimously for Canelo Alvarez.

This scorecard does not reflect what transpired inside that squared circle. The right combatant unquestionably won this bout but for these Judges to say this bout was that close of a fight is disrespectful to the winner. Canelo convincingly won this bout by a long slide Hands Down! The Chapter of Canelo vs Golovkin is officially closed.

With this conclusive win, Canelo successfully retained his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Championship Titles.

Congratulations Canelo on another great performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez”

WBA Light Heavyweight Challenge

A very intriguing matchup in the Light Heavyweight Division has officially been announced. WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 Kos) has now been ordered to defend his Championship Belt against undefeated Mandatory Challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-0, 30 Kos) at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates on Saturday November 5, 2022.

This is a bout Ramirez has been looking forward to ever since he moved up to the Light Heavyweight Division in 2019. “Zurdo” is quite big for the Division and packs a mean punch in both hands whenever they detonate on one of his opponents. That said “Zurdo” has never faced such a cerebral opponent of the likes of Bivol with a high boxing IQ inside that squared circle. Dmitry is fresh off a win over the previous Pound-for Pound King Canelo Alvarez. On that night Dmitry showed the world and Canelo just how dominant he can be when faced with the best of the best of adversaries.

Looking at both combatants face to face, the size difference is quite noticeable. “Zurdo” looks like a full-blown Cruiserweight campaigning in the Light Heavyweight Division. Real Talk! Nevertheless, Bivol relishes his odds and can’t wait to go toe to toe with Ramirez, who also feels very confident that he has what it takes to finally dethrone the Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol. Gilberto is adamant that his physical attributes, his experience and his own boxing IQ will be enough to do the job on Bivol come Saturday night November 5, 2022, inside that squared circle at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates.

The date is set, and the talking is done. It’s time to show up and put out and see who can back it up inside that squared circle.

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

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol”

WBA “Super” Light Heavyweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN PPV Main Event between Pound-for-Pound “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo (57-2-2, 39 Kos) and WBA “Super” Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 Kos) at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, was a shocking and disappointing outcome to the pro-Canelo crowd in attendance. Real Talk!

Canelo may have been reaching a little too high when he attempted to recapture a title at his second run at Light Heavyweight by choosing to pry away the “Big Fundamental” Bivol’s WBA “Super” Title. Bivol wasn’t having it and defended his title like a champion should.

Canelo was met with a warrior in Bivol who did not play by his rules but instead proceeded to being quite the challenge Canelo was looking for. Hands Down!

A lot of boxing pundits discredited Bivol and had already counted him out but I personally thought all these people were dead wrong about him. Anyone who paid attention and actually watched how Bivol dismantled all of his previous opponents would know that Dmitry’s fundamental skills are flawless. He may not be the strongest or the fastest but his efficiency inside that squared circle remains unmatched.

Team Caleno severely miscalculated their “game plan” this time around as they were unable to deter Bivol’s steady nonstop pressure aided by a stiff pistol-like jab that stayed connecting all night. Bivol’s punch output and punch combinations were on point and definitely kept Canelo frustrated throughout the bout.

Bivol was impressive and showed absolutely no fear inside that squared circle, unlike some of Caleno’s past opponents who crumbled under the bright lights and the big stage.

Bivol silenced the pro-Caleno crowd who were privy enough to witness this masterclass performance unfolding right before their eyes. After 12 full rounds of action all three Judges scored it 115-113 in favor of Dmitry Bivol.

I’m a big fan of Caleno win or lose but this score card does not reflect what transpired inside that squared circle. This score card is way too close to my liking. Bivol owned this bout from start to finish in my eyes hands down! Let’s give the man the respect he is due. Bivol just took down the Pound-for-Pound “Kingpin” on the biggest night of his career and retained his WBA “Super” Light Heavyweight Title in the process.

This outcome is nothing that Caleno can’t bounce back from. Maybe an immediate rematch to redeem himself will be in the works but until then congratulations Dmitry this was an incredible win that will last the test of time. Job well done.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gennadiy Golovkin vs Ryota Murata”

IBF/IBO/WBA Middleweight Unification

The Matchroom/DAZN Middleweight Unification bout between IBF/IBO Champion Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 Kos) and WBA “Super” World Champion Ryota Murata (16-3, 13 Kos) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan this morning, was an interesting bout for as long as it lasted.

It has been a little over 15 months since we last saw the aging but still very strong “GGG” grace the inside of that squared circle and after shaking off some cobwebs “GGG” proceeded to break down his opponent one round at a time. Real Talk!

I tip my “B” hat to Ryota who had the right “game plan” at first and stood his ground banging leather for leather with the hard hitting “GGG” but soon found out that withstanding toe to toe blows with “GGG”, and being at the receiving end of some serious destructive shots with “GGG” will leave you demoralized. Real Talk!

“GGG” looked strong and physically fit inside that squared circle but visibly looked tired at times whenever Ryota let loose with his hands going blow for blow. This bout was competitive in the earlier rounds but as “GGG” started to get comfortable, Ryota slowly started to breakdown from absorbing punishment coming at him from all angles.

Golovkin may not have had the foot movement or his usual punch output going for him this morning but he definitely had the power and the strength to knockdown Ryota in the ninth round which then prompted Murata’s trainer who had seen enough by then to throw in the towel.

With this dominant performance by Golovkin at the age of 40 years old, “GGG” showed us that he still has the goods to keep up with the best of them inside that squared circle. That said,
Golovkin is once again the Unified IBF/IBO/WBA “Super” Middleweight Champion of the World.

Although Golovkin has unfinished business that requires him to move up in weight to the 168-Pound Division and challenge the Pound-for Pound Undisputed “Kingpin” of the Super Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 Kos), regardless of that outcome “GGG”, will still remain the most hunted in the 160-Pound Division.

Until then congratulations Golovkin on your latest accomplishments.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington”

IBF Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Featherweight Champion Kiko Martinez (43-11-2, 30 Kos) and Josh Warrington (31-1-1, 8 Kos) was a rematch that brought the house at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England to its feet.

This bout was one of the most important bouts in Josh’s career to date, considering a lost tonight would have meant retirement. With that in mind and a full house in attendance, Josh wasted no time asserting himself at the first bell of round one throwing leather with vicious combinations strong enough to drop Kiko for a quick 8 count.

Kiko clearly wasn’t expecting Josh to being so aggressive from the jump. Josh’s approach forced Kiko to exchange but wasn’t able to match Josh’s output from the early rounds.

Once the action slowed down as Josh lowered his output, Kiko proceeded to press the action with his own shots attempting to deter Josh who was still able to box with some very good exchanges going back and forth.

With Josh landing the better shots as the rounds progressed it was quite evident that Josh was the combatant outworking his opponent inside that squared circle. Josh looked good and sharp moving and boxing and landing punches at will.

By the seventh round, it was another trashing by Josh who had pinned Kiko to the ropes and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches like a heavy bag that quickly prompted the referee to stop the bout and kept Kiko from further abuse.

This rematch was way different from their first encounter of five years ago, where Josh won a rough twelve round majority decision over Kiko. This time around Josh shut the show down in a convincing fashion.

With this conclusive win, you have now regained the IBF Featherweight Title and reasserted yourself as a key player in the 126-Pound Division.

Congratulations Josh, can’t wait to see what your next move will be.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Maria Cecilia Roman vs Ebanie Bridges”

IBF Bantamweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event between long reigning IBF Bantamweight Champion Maria Cecilia Roman (16-6-1) and well-liked Australian star Ebanie Bridges (8-1, 3 Kos) was an exciting showdown that definitely brought some “hype” at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Ebanie brought the “heat” early and kept her hands busy by staying aggressive with some very good punch output from head to body. Ebanie boxed beautifully and stayed one step ahead at all corners in the first half of the bout.

That being said, Maria wasn’t the longest reigning Champion for no reason. Maria proceeded to utilized her experience in the second half of the bout to slowly regain some ground. The two combatants exchanged leather for leather going back and forth but it was Ebanie’s higher work rate throughout the bout that clearly separated the two warriors in my eyes.

As we got closer to the championship rounds fatigue started to show on Ebanie giving Maria a better chance at reclaiming some much needed rounds but Ebanie’s sheer will to stay alert and bang with the Champ carried her all the way to the later rounds.

After 10 full rounds of exciting action the Judges scored it 100-91, 97-93, 97-93 all in favor for the New IBF Bantamweight Champion Ebanie Bridges.

Aside from the Judge who scored it 100-91, the right combatant definitely won the bout. Hands Down.

Ebanie’s early work rate and good boxing paid dividends tonight, although she tired near the end, she boxed a good fight and showed much improvement on the biggest night of her career to date.

Congratulations Ebanie – you have now entered the Winner’s Circle of Champions.

Blaze