On The Watch “It’s All About Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano”

Junior Middleweight Unification Championship Showdown

Last night’s PBC/Showtime Main Event Junior Middleweight Unification Championship bout between WBC/WBA Super/IBF and Ring Magazine Champion Jermell Charlo (34-1-1, 18 Kos) and WBO Champion Brian Castano (17-0-2, 12 Kos) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, was nothing short of exciting from start to finish but did end with controversy.

A lot of people in the boxing community expected “Iron Man” Jermell to completely and easily destroy Castano on his way to Undisputed but things didn’t go as planned. Castano showed up last night and was a real live aggressive body inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

I’m not sure if Jermell underestimated Castano but his passive/aggressive approach may have cost him at times inside that squared circle. Jermell, who was clearly the bigger fighter of the two combatants, had a visibly hard time with Castano’s pressure style of fighting. Although Jermell’s jab and long range made it harder for Castano, the man still found his way in time and time again with some serious controlled aggression.

Both combatants threw some serious leather at each other. Jermell’s punches looked more telling at times but Castano’s controlled aggressive offensive output could not go unnoticed. I gotta tip my “B” hat to Castano cause Dude was definitely touching Charlo and making this fight tough as hell for the Unified Champ inside that squared circle.

Jermell showed his own toughness withstanding Castano’s onslaught cause say what you want the Kid Castano can pop. That being said, this bout was tight from the jump. Charlo had himself two very telling rounds when he clipped and wobbled Castano early in the second round and when he threw some serious combinations in the tenth round that had Castano retreating to survive the round. As good as these two telling rounds were, Charlo was not able to stop Castano.

That being said, Castano had his moments as well actually clipping and hurting Jermell when he was working his inside game whenever he had Jermell on them ropes. In my eyes, Castano’s non-stop pressure for the bulk of the bout clearly showed who controlled the fight inside that squared circle.

After 12 full rounds of non-stop action the Judges scored it 114-113 for Castano, 117-111 for Charlo and 114-114, a split decision draw. Listen, I’m ok with them Judges scoring the championship rounds for Jermell but that 117-111 is straight up OUT OF POCKET!! A ridiculous score if you ask me.

Controversial ending aside, both Champions leave with their titles in hand. Jermell is still WBC/WBA Super/IBF and Ring Magazine Champion and Castano WBO Champion.

Congratulations to both combatants for putting on an exciting show from start to finish, hopefully part two will be in the near future.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios”

WBA Super Lightweight Championship

Last night’s PPV PBC/Showtime Main Event matchup between Gervonta Davis (25-0, 24 Kos) and WBA “Regular” Super Lightweight Champion Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 Kos) at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, definitely lived up to the hype. Real talk!

Davis, who last fought in the 130-pound Division, moved up two weight Divisions to challenge tough and powerful Barrios for his WBA “Regular” Super Lightweight Title. As expected, this bout wasn’t no cakewalk for Davis. Barrios the much taller and rangier fighter of the two, kept things quite interesting and competitive for as long as he could inside that squared circle.

Barrios came to fight and stood his ground like the Champion that he was. Barrios boxed and moved and made things challenging for the shorter Davis. Although Barrios stayed disciplined throughout the rounds you could sense Davis getting comfortable and adjusting his “game plan” as the rounds progressed.

Once Davis’ range and power punches started connecting, you could visibly see Barrios feel the power “Tank” was landing from head to body. It was only a matter of time before Barrios slipped and in the 8th round, a two-piece combo from “Tank” straight to Barrios’ dome dropped him for a quick 8 count.

Impressively, Barrios survived the round and continued to stand his ground in a competitive fashion all the way to the 10th round like a warrior on a mission to live. That being said, by the 11th round the “End Game” was inevitable. Davis’ pressure and heavy onslaught was too much for Barrios to endure. A well-placed vicious uppercut to the solar plexus dropped Barrios hard to the ground but still Barrios rose up after the 8 count only to be dropped again by a series of heavy unanswered punches which then prompted the referee to stop the fight at the 2:13 mark of the 11th round.

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Barrios, Dude came in a Champion and fought like a Champion. This was by far Davis’ biggest test to date which he passed with flying colors. The naysayers will try to discredit Gervonta’s latest accomplishment but this was not an easy task. “Tank” showed up last night and proved to be levels above his competition. With this convincing win “Tank” becomes the new WBA “Regular” Super Lightweight Champion of the world and a three-Division World Champion.

Peeps need to stop hating on the young man and appreciate the talent this Kat brings inside that squared circle time and time again. Real talk!

Congratulations “Tank” on another impressive victory, now on to the next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Erickson Lubin vs Jeison Rosario”

WBC Junior Middleweight Eliminator

Last night’s PPV PBC/Showtime Co Main Event between Erickson Lubin (24-1, 17 Kos) and Jeison Rosario (20-3-1, 14 Kos)  at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, was a statement type bout that was much needed in the Division.

It didn’t take much time for the two warriors to start exchanging leather back and forth, the only looming question was who would be able to withstand the onslaught.

Erickson looked more patient with his approach while Rosario pressed the action leaving quite a few holes open for Erickson to capitalize on. Although both combatants landed quite a few heavy shots on one another it was Rosario who seemed, to me, to have lost some serious punch resistance.

Once Erickson realized that Rosario’s punch resistance was shot it was only a matter of time before he connected on something significant. By the 6th round Erickson pressed the action and landed some serious head and body shots that sent Rosario down for a quick 8 count but then once up couldn’t sustain further body shots that sent him down for the second time and a full unanswered count.

With this win “The Hammer” may have scored his most impressive win to date over former unified World Champion Jeison Rosario. Now it’s about taking this WBC No. 1-Ranked contender position and push for that the rematch to avenge his only loss to WBC/WBA/IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Jermell Charlo.

Until then, keep killing your opposition.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jermall Charlo vs Juan Macias Montiel”

WBC Middleweight Title Defense

Last night’s PBC/Showtime Main Event between WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 Kos) and Juan Macias Montiel (22-5-2, 22 Kos) turned out to be a better show than expected at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The “Hit Man” was definitely in a fight last night and although he clearly won the bout, I gotta tip my “B” hat to Montiel for making it exciting. Montiel came to fight and made it quite interesting. If Charlo was looking for an easy fight last night Montiel made sure to make it tough for him at least as best he could. Montiel showed some serious durability in this bout. Dude refused to bow down to the “Hit Man”. Charlo hit this Dude with everything from head to body with some serious sting behind it and Montiel, although clearly buzzed out at times looking punch drunk, still fought back and held his own. Montiel definitely earned my respect with this one.

Montiel never stopped coming forward throughout the bout. After 12 rounds of non-stop action, the Judges scored it 120-108, 119-109, 118-109 unanimously in favor of Jermall Charlo. With this win Charlo retained his WBC Middleweight Title. Well done.

Montiel proved to be a hell of a tough competitor but Charlo demonstrated to be levels above inside that squared circle.

Congratulations Champ, can’t wait to see who’s next for the “Hit Man”.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Chris Arreola”

Heavyweight Throwdown

Last night’s PBC/Fox PPV Main Event between former Heavyweight Champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (34-2, 22 Kos) and Chris Arreola (38-7-1, 33 Kos) at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, was a dramatic bout from start to finish. Real Talk!

A visibly slimmed down Andy walked in the squared circle feeling himself and thinking this was going to be easy work and underestimated his opponent. He was careless in the second round when he got caught flush on the dome and dropped for a surprising quick 8 count that kept him shook for the remaining of a tough round.

Chris didn’t come to lay down and he fought a smart fight and actually hurt Ruiz again in the third round. Andy kept it cool and took a few rounds to shake it off and then proceeded to box his way through the remaining rounds applying some good pressure with his combinations.

Chris proved to be tough as expected and made Andy work and respect the veteran who was in front of him inside that squared circle.

As good as Andy looked physically inside that squared circle, he seemed a little off to me and had to dig really deep to survive all 12 rounds of this bout. Both combatants were visibly tired as their punch output slowed down in the later rounds.

That being said, both warriors put on a show that did not disappoint. At the conclusion of this bout the Judges scored it 117-110, 118-109, 118-109 unanimously for Andy Ruiz.

Listen, I don’t have a problem with Andy walking away with the win but the score cards do not reflect what transpired inside that squared circle. These Judges did Chris dirty on this one. Hands Down!

Congratulations to Andy for pulling off this though win.

Blaze

On the Watch ” It’s All About Jaron Ennis vs Sergey Lipinets”

Welterweight Showdown

Jaron Ennis (27-0, 25 Kos) walked it like he talked when he completely destroyed tough and durable adversary Sergey Lipinets (16-2-1, 12 Kos) at last night’s Showtime Main Event card from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

It was business as usual for Jaron when he stepped inside that squared circle with absolutely no sign of fear. Once the bell rang in the first round Jaron established himself as the more physical combatant with his size and strength while boxing and moving effectively preventing Sergey from ever setting up his own offence.

Sergey usually gets around to imposing himself but last night he clearly lacked the proper “game plan” to counter Jaron’s steady calculated offence.

Jaron’s ring generalship and perfectly timed switch-hitting style was visibly confusing Sergey inside that squared circle.  The number of heavy shots that Sergey was absorbing was quite worrisome outside looking in. I personally expected Sergey to be more competitive with his work rate but the punishment that he was enduring by the sixth-round cost him heavily when he got caught cold with a right-left devastating combination that flatted him out to the canvas and prompted the referee to instantly call an end to the bout at 2:11 of the sixth-round.

This was a very impressive performance by Jaron considering Sergey had never been stopped before or punished in such a dominant fashion.

Jaron is making it be known that he’s coming for that Number 1 Spot in the Welterweight Division. My only question is who will volunteer to derail the young lion?

Congratulations Jaron on another great performance. Goodluck to the competition!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Errol Spence Jr. vs Danny Garcia”

IBF/WBC Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Main Event between Errol Spence Jr. (27-0, 21 Kos) and Danny Garcia (36-3, 21 Kos) at Arlington Texas inside the AT&T Stadium, answered a lot of questions that we the fans had when it came to EJ. After 12 rounds of action all was revealed to the boxing world.

EJ dusted off his shoulders last night inside that squared circle and showed all the doubters and his supporters that your Boy was back 100%. Spence’s car accident in October 2019 left a lot of us fans wondering if Errol could ever get back to his championship form, he once held before the car crash and, with last night’s dominant performance against Danny, your Boy EJ defied all odds.

EJ is “The Truth” inside that squared circle hands down. Errol made Danny, who is one of the top strong Welterweights, in the Division, looked like a pedestrian inside that squared circle. Spence kept that pressure on Danny all night with a stiff effective jab that prevented Danny from applying any type of successful offence.

Whatever “game plan” Danny’s corner constructed for the night became obsolete the minute EJ’s jab started touching Danny at will. EJ’s jab was key last night and clearly marked Danny up from all angles. Danny showed some grit and a strong will to compete but just didn’t have the right output to keep up with EJ. Had Danny applied more pressure the outcome could have definitely been different.

That being said, EJ showed us once again that he’s levels above all competitors who dare to challenge him for that No. 1 Spot inside that squared circle. The Judges were all in agreeance tonight with the score of 116-112, 116-112 and 117-111 for Errol Spence Jr.

With this dominant performance by Spence, he now retains his IBF and WBC Titles while putting the 147-Pound Division back on notice that “The Truth” is back like he never left.

Congratulations Errol on another great performance.

Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Gervonta Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz”

WBA Super Featherweight and Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s Premier Boxing Champions on Showtime Pay-Per-View Main Event at the Alamodome in San Antonio between WBA Regular Lightweight Champion Gervonta Davis (24-0, 23 Kos) and WBA Super Featherweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 Kos) was an exciting bout for as long as it lasted. Real Talk!

This bout was “Blazin” from the start of the first bell. Leo looked focused and determined. Leo came out the gate and asserted himself by not shying away from Gervonta and actually boxing his way towards him. Leo was giving Gervonta some good work and looking good doing it.

However, as good as Leo was doing so was Gervonta. Tank was just as focused and definitely took this bout seriously. Gervonta showed patience while boxing beautifully with exceptional quickness to go along with the powerful shots he was throwing accurately at Santa Cruz.

As the rounds wore on you could clearly see the power shots were getting to Leo as he was more cautious and tentative with his usual output. Still, I have to tip my “B” hat to Leo for standing there and actually going toe to toe with Gervonta.

That being said, I think Leo may have been believing his own hype a little too much by the sixth round. Leo tried once again to go toe to toe with Gervonta one time too many and brutally got caught with a vicious left uppercut that landed Leo’s first ever knockout of his 14-year pro career. Leo was lights out cold with an official time of stoppage at 2:40 of the sixth round.

With this destructive performance by Gervonta, he now regains the WBA Super Featherweight Title and retains his WBA Regular Lightweight Title to now simultaneously become a two weight Division Champion.

Hate him or love him your Boy “Tank” is nothing to play with in the 130 or the 135-Pound Division hands down.

Both Divisions have some serious talented competitors waiting for their opportunity. I can’t wait to see what’s next or better yet who’s next in line for the young “Pitbull” Gervonta Davis.

Congratulations “Tank” on your latest accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Sergey Lipinets & Custio Clayton”

Interim IBF Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s SHOWTIME Main Event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, between Sergey Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 Kos) and Custio Clayton (18-0-1, 12 Kos) was an entertaining chess match from start to finish. Real Talk!

Our own Canadian prospect Clayton, touched down on U.S. soil for the first time and asserted himself in a convincing manner in his first step up fight of his career. Clayton executed his “game plan” to a “T”, boxed and moved beautifully with a stiff jab that had Sergey’s attention all night. Clayton’s effective higher work rate kept the stalker, Sergey from ever getting into a comfortable flow but it did not stop him from working Clayton’s body attack.

Every punch thrown from Sergey was heavy with some serious bad intention when landed but due to Clayton’s tight defence and some very good movement, Sergey couldn’t connect with his usual output. Fatigue seemed to have settled down on him in the later rounds and may have cost him the outcome.

That being said, Clayton came in stronger in the later rounds and definitely stole the 12th round from Sergey in my eyes. One Judge scored it 115-113 for Clayton (as I did) but was overruled by the two Judges who scored the bout a 114-114 draw. Personally, I think that if Clayton would have pressed his offensive attack a little bit more, things could have been a lot clearer to the Judges.

Clayton showed Sergey and the 147-Pound Division that he is not to be taken lightly. Last night’s showing definitely earned him some respect to his name (Birdman voice).

This may not have been the outcome you were looking for Clayton, but one thing is for sure you did us Canadians proud last night.

Can’t wait to see what’s next for you, keep your head up Custio.

Blaze

On the Watch ” It’s All About Jermell Charlo vs Jeison Rosario”

WBC/WBA/IBF Junior Middleweight Unification Challenge

Wowwwwwwww! Last night’s Premier Boxing Champions Showtime PPV main event at the Mohegan Bay Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, between WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Jermell Charlo (34-1, 18 Kos) and WBA Super/IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Jeison Rosario (20-2-1, 14 Kos) will definitely be an event to be remembered.

First off, I was little concerned on how the night was going to go when Referee Harvey Dock gave Jermell credit for a knockdown on Jeison that clearly looked like a slip.

Rosario bounced back from round one and proceeded to apply some good pressure boxing smarts and making Jermell feel uncomfortable with some really good effective combination and body shots that clearly bothered Jermell.

As Rosario was winning rounds, Jermell never lost focus and continued moving around while administering a vicious power jab that clearly showed effect every time it landed. It was clear on that night that Jermell was the stronger fighter inside that squared circle.

By round six, Jermell’s “game plan” showed bright when he caught Rosario with a brutal two-piece combination that rattled Rosario straight down for an 8 count. Game changer!

Rosario came back in the seventh round and kept things competitive while still moving forward and boxing while stalking Jermell who was being smart patiently waiting for an opportunity.

Come to round eight, now with only 21 seconds into the round, Jermell hit Rosario with a jab to the face then to the body that sent him straight down into some type of body seizure that did not need a count. Real Talk! Your Boy Jeison was out cold and it did not look normal to me.

I know Jermell’s, got pop and hits hard but that jab to the body didn’t look that damaging but definitely did the job. Personally, I think something else health-wise was going on with Rosario at that moment.

That being said, your Boy Jermell Charlo did what he said he would do inside that squared circle. He clearly conquered his opponent and in doing so retained his WBC Junior Middleweight Title and collected some serious hardware in the IBF, The WBA Super and the prestige Ring Magazine Belt. Nuff said!

Your Boy Jermell is officially the Unified “King” of the Junior Middleweight Division. Hands down.

Congratulations Jermell, Lions Only is in the building!

Now who’s next?

Blaze