On The Watch ”It’s All About Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr.”

Junior Welterweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between WBO International Junior Welterweight Champion Jack “El Gato” Catterall (30-2, 13 Kos) and WBO Intercontinental Junior Welterweight Champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 Kos), was an interesting bout where both combatants had to get creative with their approach inside that squared circle at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.

This was a chess like match where both combatants had their moments as the rounds progressed. Being the away fighter, Barboza had no choice but to stay active with his hands but Catterall stood his ground and exchanged leather for leather as best he could.

You could see both combatants struggling to get an edge on one another as each looked equally matched inside that squared circle making it harder to call round by round. It was a very calculative type bout where every mistake made cost the opponent dearly.

Both combatants had their share of telling punches being thrown but as the championship rounds rolled out it was becoming clearer to the eye that Barboza was the one putting in that extra push to secure the defining rounds.

That being said, after 12 full rounds of action one Judge scored it 115-113 for Catterall while the other two Judges scored it 115-113 for Barboza giving him the split decision win and the right to claim the vacant WBO Interim Junior Welterweight Title.

It was a tight competitive bout from start to finish but I personally think the right man won on the night. With this win now secured by Barboza an official mandatory position has now been set to challenge for the full WBO World Junior Welterweight Title held by Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 Kos).

That said, will Teofimo accept the challenge? Only time will tell.

Until then, congratulations Arnold on another great win.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis”

WBO Lightweight Showdown

The Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Lightweight Champion Denys Berinchyk (19-1, 9 Kos) and challenger Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis (13-0, 9 Kos), who had himself a very business-like performance when he entered that squared circle, occurred last night at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

In his first world title opportunity, Keyshawn “The Businessman” proceeded to handle his opponent in a very professional manner inside that squared circle by completely dominating the Champion from start to finish.

Denys, the more experienced combatant of the two, had no answer or the right “game plan” to disrupt Keyshawn from having his way with him. It was a complete mismatch from the jump. Denys was outgunned, out skilled, outmuscled and simply too small to deal with the aggression and power punches coming his way.

The inevitable was nearby. With no significant offense coming his way Keyshawn managed to drop Denys with hard left to the liver for a standing 8 count in the third-round signalling what was to come. By the fourth round, Keyshawn went in for the kill and landed another vicious left body shot that sent Denys down for the count prompting the referee to wave the bout.

It was a very dominant performance by Keyshawn where he took this opportunity with open arms and delivered like a true “Businessman” on the biggest night of his career to date. With this convincing win now on his record Keyshawn became the New WBO Lightweight Champion of the World.

The 135-Pound Division has now been put on notice. The “Businessman” is in the building!

Congratulations Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin”

IBF World Heavyweight Title Eliminator

In last night’s Queensberry Promotions/TNT Sports Main Event, Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 Kos) kept his old train going by defeating Otto Wallin (27-3, 15 Kos) in what was billed to be the British fighter’s final showdown in the United Kingdom at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

I didn’t know what to expect in this bout last night but the fans in attendance were not disappointed by Chisora’s labouring but entertaining performance.

41-year-old Chisora may have looked his age inside that squared circle but he brought that “WAR” ready mentality to the ring to deal with Wallin who surprisingly fought in a timid manner round by round. Chisora brought that “HEAT” with a labouring, aggressive style that was good enough to trouble Wallin who for some reason didn’t have the right “game plan” to deter the old man from having his way with him.

Although Wallin wasn’t able to deter Chisora for most of the rounds he did manage to damage and cut Chisora’s right eye which threatened the outcome of the bout. The ringside doctor had a look at it and allowed the fight to continue but that cut was a real concern throughout the remainder of the bout.

With his vision now impaired Chisora continued his aggression and finally landed a nice overhand right hand to the chin in the ninth round that stumbled Wallin down for a standing 8 count.

With the ninth round tucked in his back pocket Chisora looked rejuvenated and continued his assault in the championship rounds and was motivated by the crowd cheering him up. With his face covered in blood and the clock running out in the twelfth round Chisora looking fatigued, connected with a heavy right hand to Wallin’s dome that dropped him for the second time for another standing 8 count that ended the bout at the bell.

After 12 labouring but exciting rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-109,116-110 and 114-112 unanimously for Derek Chisora.

Chisora has been defying the odds in his last few fights as of late and for that I tip my “B” hat to the man for doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

That being said, I’m not sure what version of Chisora we’re going to see at his 50th and final bout but until then congratulations Chisora on another memorable performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Danielle Perkins”

Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

Last night’s Salita Promotions/DAZN Main Event the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” WBC Heavyweight Champion Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (16-0, 3 Kos) continued to add to her historical career by becoming the first female Undisputed Heavyweight Champion in history when she defeated challenger Danielle Perkins (5-1, 2 Kos) in front of her home crowd at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan.

At first glance Danielle possessed all the physical attributes such as size, reach, height and power to give Claressa all types of problems inside that squared circle but the one key component she lacked to derail the Champ was the right boxing IQ to use her attributes to her advantage.

Claressa showed absolutely no fear when she entered that ring. At the first bell Claressa proceeded to give Danielle a paid schooling session of the upmost level round by round. Claressa, visibly the smaller combatant of the two, pressed the action and backed Daniella into retreat mode and showed power with every punch thrown.

Danielle attempted to use her size to bully Claressa at times, but Claressa was in her bag last night looking physically stronger in the Heavyweight Division. Her power looked legit as she dropped Danielle with a perfectly placed hard right hand to the chin for a standing 8 count with only 10 seconds left in the 10th round.

Simply put, Danielle got dominated from start to finish. After 10 rounds of one-sided action the Judges at hand scored it 100-89, 99-91 and 97-92 all in favor of Claressa Shields.

With this win, Claressa retained her WBC Heavyweight Title and picked up the vacant WBA, IBF and WBO Heavyweight Belts crowning her a Three-Division Undisputed Champion and the only boxer, male or female to ever accomplish this achievement.

Well done, Claressa. The “GWOAT” is here to stay. Good luck to the competition.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Benavidez vs David Morrell”

Light Heavyweight Showdown

Last night’s PBC/PPV Prime Video Main Event between WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Champion David Benavidez (30-0, 24 Kos) and WBA “Regular” Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell (11-1, 9 Kos) was a very entertaining bout from start to finish that lived up to the “HYPE” at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Both combatants wasted no time with the introduction once the first bell rang and proceeded to throw mad leather to feel each other’s power right from the jump. Two very big and strong combatants with different skill sets trying to earn each other’s respect inside that squared circle.

Morell showed power, intelligence and durability and a different type of resistance that Benavidez wasn’t used to dealing with inside that squared circle but what Morell lacked was the professional experience to deter a strong and active warrior with Benavidez’s experience.

Morell found out that going toe-to-toe with the “Mexican Monster” wasn’t the brightest idea. Benavidez’s punch output was key last night. Morell had a hard time keeping up punch for punch with Benavidez as the rounds progressed. Although Morell had his moments and made it a lot tougher on Benavidez, the activity of Benavidez punch connection ratio swayed the rounds in his favor. Those uppercuts and straight body shots landing at will by Benavidez could not be ignored.

That being said, Morell did do good work at times landing some good heavy shots, clearly showing his power and even scored a knock-down with a quick right hook on Benavidez in the 11th round that had the crowd on their feet but surprisingly, the benefit of the knock-down was useless when the referee penalized Morell for hitting after the bell. A suspect call if you ask me.

Benavidez got seriously touched up last night but his offence did a good job at hiding his lack of defence but proved once again that he’s a tough Dude with a higher work rate than most of his opponents inside that squared circle.

That said, after 12 full rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 115-111, 115-111 and 118-108 unanimously for David Benavidez. I don’t have a problem with Benavidez being declared the winner but that score of 118-108 is straight out of pocket!

With this solid win now under his belt Benavidez retained his WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Title and snatched the WBA “Regular” Light Heavyweight Championship Title from Morell, giving him an even clearer path to challenge the winner of the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship between Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.

Until then, congratulations David.

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Diego Pacheco vs Steven Nelson”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between undefeated Super Middleweight Contender Diego Pacheco (23-0, 18 Kos) and undefeated Steven Nelson (20-1, 16 Kos) was a very interesting bout that tested the young contender at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The undefeated challenger Nelson who was much older than Pacheco at 36, came out with a very good “game plan” right off the bell that had Pacheco hesitant in the first few rounds. The pressure that Nelson was applying was troubling Pacheco forcing him to be in retreat mode unable to let his hands go in their usual fashion.

That being said things changed in the fourth round when Pacheco finally caught Nelson with a strong right hand that cut him on the outside of his left eye. It was the type of cut that impaired Nelson’s vision due to the constant blood flowing into his eye. It was a game changer from this point on where Pacheco now saw a wounded warrior ready to be taken out.

Pacheco reclaimed control of the bout from that point on and started going to work in his usual fashion by landing hard right hands and uppercuts at will round by round. I gotta tip my “B” hat to Nelson who stood his ground while being impaired with that eye. Most combatants would have folded a long time ago but Nelson did his best to stay in the fight and push the young warrior to show him what’s up.

Nelson looked alive in the championship rounds and gave it his best shot by bringing that pressure from the early rounds and letting his hands go clearly showing us that if he would have kept that same energy and consistency throughout the entire fight things could have been different.

After 12 rounds of action all three Judges scored it 117-111 for Diego Pacheco.
This was a very good learning experience type fight for Pacheco where he had himself a tough competitor that forced him to dig deep to secure the win.

Well done, Pacheco, now who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?

The NBA Who’s On Top?

We are officially passed the midpoint mark for the NBA Season with 42 plus games played to date and still holding down the No. 1 Spot in the league is the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-6) looking focused, determined and still getting stronger as a team game by game. The Cavs are looking like they’re ready to give the Defending Champions Boston Celtics (30-13) a legitimate run at dethroning them in the Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks (29-16) are still steady pacing, looking good and staying in the conversation while the Milwaukee Bucks (24-17) are seemingly getting it together one game at a time. The Indiana Pacers (24-19) have been grinding their way back as well, trying to position themselves. As for the Atlanta Hawks (22-20), the Detroit Pistons (22-21), Orlando Magic (23-22) and the Miami Heat (23-22), their outcome and standing position could be different if they keep going hard in the second half of the season.

Still holding the No. 1 Spot in the tough Western Conference is the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7). Them Boys are balling hard and looking like true contenders on the come-up game by game. Breathing down their necks are the surging Houston Rockets (28-14), the Memphis Grizzlies (28-15) and the Denver Nuggets (27-16) who all have the capability to overthrow the Thunders from their number one Spot. The LA Clippers (24-18) with a healthy Kawhi Leonard easing his way back into the line-up, should see themselves moving up in the standings but with the Los Angeles Lakers (23-18), the Dallas Mavericks (23-20), the Sacramento Kings (22-20), the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-21), the Phoenix Suns (21-21) and the Golden State Warriors (21-21) all playing musical chairs while vying for a position in the threatening Western Conference where a team can’t blink and fumble the ball and risk being left out come Playoff time.

That being said, stay locked in for an exciting second half of the season.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II”

Undisputed Light Heavyweight Showdown

Former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 Kos) will be looking for his “get back” when he will face the only man to have beaten him in the professional ranks: Undefeated, Undisputed IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 Kos), February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.

With this rematch now locked in, Bivol’s only mission is to rectify and avenge the result of his previous encounter with “King Arthur” and reclaim his WBA Light Heavyweight Title along with the remaining hardware, to become the New Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion.

A well thought out plan by Bivol with only one problem; our own Russian/Canadian representative reigning Undefeated Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World “King Artur” has absolutely no intention of relinquishing his hard-earned Championship Belts any time soon.

Beterbiev understands that their previous encounter inside that squared circle was a highly-contested chess match that showed their respective skill sets but this time around Beterbeiv will be looking to tweak a few things and end all possible controversy by once again beating Bivol more convincingly.

That being said, Bivol will need to make the necessary adjustments and be prepared for a highly motivated and aggressive “King Artur” looking to administer some serious damage inside that squared circle.

Past controversy aside, this upcoming rematch bout is a sure shot so tune in Live on DAZN February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, and witness the outcome.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jai Opetaia vs David Nyika”

IBF Cruiserweight Challenge

This Morning’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF/Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Champion Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 Kos) and late replacement challenger David Nyika (10-1, 9 Kos) was a perfect example of why there are levels to this boxing sh*t. Real Talk!

Nyika, who is a very big Cruiserweight standing at 6 foot 6, definitely looked the part and tried to walk the talk, was met with the very best at the Cruiserweight Division in Opetaia, who was defending his handwear at a homecoming bout at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.

With all the pressure to resting on his back, Opetaia wasted no time and asserted himself from the first bell. He delivered on the night by applying nonstop pressure and breaking down the towering Nyika who brought his “A” game but not the right “game plan” to deter Opetaia from having his way with him.

Both combatants banged on one another from close range making this bout quite entertaining but the beneficiary of this type of action favored Opetaia, who had himself a spectacular but short night of action when he dropped Nyika with a barrage of heavy shots from head to body for a standing 8 count. Nyika was looking shaky on his legs – vulnerable and prime for the taking to which Opetaia obliged with a vicious uppercut and a one two combination that flattened Nyika lifeless in the fourth round ending the bout in a dramatic fashion.

With this striking performance, Opetaia retained his IBF/Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Championship Titles and proceeded to call out Unified WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto Ramirez (47-1, 30 Kos) for a unification bout. Will this call out be answered? Nevertheless, this challenge needs to happen ASAP!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II”

Unified Heavyweight Championship

The highly anticipated Heavyweight Showdown rematch between Unified Heavyweight Champion IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 Kos) and former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 Kos) lived up to the “HYPE” but not without some controversy at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Usyk came in this bout laser focused and clicking on all cylinders while Fury walked in much heavier and armed with a different “game plan” that had him stand his ground in a much more aggressive manner.

Tyson’s jab was on point and very active at keeping Usyk at bay but not enough to deter him from the task at hand. Usyk fought toe-to-toe with the Big Man and bobbed and weaved as best he could while Fury did his best at maintaining his distance while being more attentive round by round.

Both combatants had their moments round by round but as the fight progressed to the second half of the bout you could see Fury slowing his work rate down probably due the excess weight he was carrying.

Nevertheless, this bout was a highly contested showdown where both combatants had to work through their respective skill sets to cancel out one another in this chess like bout inside that squared circle. Both combatants threw enough leather at one another but the accuracy of the punch output favored Usyk.

This was a very close bout to call from start to finish but after 12 full rounds of action all three Judges at hand scored it unanimously 116-112 for Oleksandr Usyk.

Listen, I don’t have a problem with Usyk being declared the winner, but I personally think that Fury, in his second go around with Usyk did a lot better than being awarded only 4 rounds in this highly competitive bout.

Controversial scores aside, Usyk retained his IBO/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship belts and is still King of the Heavyweight Division.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze