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 Oleksandr Usyk vs Dereck Chisora”

Heavyweight Challenge

Tonight’s Heavyweight Main Event between Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13 Kos) and Dereck Chisora (32-10, 23 Kos) at the SSE Arena at Wembley wasn’t pretty but definitely a tougher challenge this time around for Usyk.

Dereck came out the gate aggressive pouring some heavy punches that caught Usyk off guard and had him back peddling trying to figure Chisora out for the first three rounds. Dereck spent a lot of energy trying to slow Usyk down in the early rounds and actually had some success with his approach but as the rounds wore on Usyk started to box and move and connecting on Chisora with some very good accuracy.

Chisora continued to press the action as much as he could but Usyk’s style and movement was definitely giving Chisora issues that caused his output to slow down. Tonight, Usyk was unquestionably in a tough bout but was still able touch up his opponent at will.

Chisora stood his ground as much as he could but simply couldn’t keep up with the movement and the output that Usyk was using to tire him out. As the later rounds creeped up Dereck became lazy and sluggish which made it easier for Usyk to dominate the later rounds in a stronger fashion.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 117-112, 115-113, 115-113 in favor of Oleksandr Usyk.

Personally, this wasn’t Usyk’s best outing to date but for only his second fight at Heavyweight, Oleksandr has showed signs of being able to hang with the Big Boys.

With this win Oleksandr moves one step closer to a WBO mandatory showdown with IBF/IBO/WBO/WBA Super Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 Kos).

Can’t wait to see them two duke it out inside that squared circle. Until then, congratulations Oleksandr on your latest victory.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin”

WBC Diamond and Interim Heavyweight Challenge

In a surprising turn of events, the Heavyweight Division standing took another hit in tonight’s Heavyweight main event in the Matchroom Boxing Camp in Brentwood, Essex, UK, between Interim WBC Champion Dillian Whyte (27-2, 18 Kos) and Alexander Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 Kos).

What started out has a sure shot win for the “Body Snatcher” Dillian ended up in a possible knockout of the year for Povetkin. Dillian came out of the gate controlling the rounds and even dropping Povetkin twice in the fourth round for a standing eight count. Dillian got a little too comfortable by the fifth round and got caught with a mean left uppercut from Povetkin that created a crime scene type knockout that left us fans watching with our mouths wide open when the referee stopped the fight after Dillian was unresponsive on the floor. Real Talk! (my girl Ang called it when she said in the previous rounds to watch out for that uppercut from Povetkin).

The way the fight was going Povetkin was looking tired and slow in the previous rounds and Dillian was looking like he was getting ready to stop the older warrior in Povetkin but truth be told Povetkin still had an ace up his sleeves in the form of a well-timed destructive well-placed uppercut that secured the win in the fifth round. Real Talk!

This bout was a perfect example of what can happen on any given night in the Heavyweight Division. Most of them Boys in the Division carry power and can never be counted out regardless of their age. Dillian talked a good game and performed well throughout the contested bout but clearly underestimated the power the older veteran Povetkin still possessed and paid dearly for it.

Povetkin’s resilience and pedigree showed up tonight and silenced all the naysayers who counted him out. What was supposed to be a walk-in park for Dillian turned out to be a nightmare of a night in the form of a devastating loss that will haunt him for quite some time.

That being said, congratulations are in order for the New WBC Diamond and Interim Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin.

Job well done Alexander; you defied all odds and came out an Interim Champion. I’m not sure how much juice you got left in you but tonight you were the conqueror who dethroned the Interim Champ. Enjoy your winnings, you deserve it.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin”

WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title Challenge

Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 Kos) will be looking to put his WBC Interim Heavyweight Title on the line against tough and seasoned veteran Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1 24 Kos) at Manchester Arena Saturday May 2, 2020, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

This is a very good Heavyweight bout where the experienced veteran Povetkin will have to dig deep to show the naysayers that he’s still got what it takes to compete with the likes of a Dillian Whyte. A win here for Povetkin would automatically set him up for the WBC Mandatory position to Tyson Fury’s full WBC Heavyweight Championship Title. As a former World Champion, Povetkin is focussed and determined not to let this opportunity pass him by, so I’m anticipating a competitive bout come fight night.

That being said, this bout will be Dillian’s first defence of his WBC Interim Heavyweight Belt. Whyte can’t afford a slip up here. In order to maintain his Mandatory status, he must keep on winning and challenging the likes of Alexander will not be a walk in the park, but a win here would definitely enhance his resume.

This bout is not your typical stay busy fight for either combatant. This is a dangerous 50/50 fight that could go all wrong for Dillian if he’s overlooking Povetkin due to his age. Personally, I wouldn’t sleep on Povetkin, he is very well-schooled inside that squared circle and does carry a mean left hook of his own and when timely connected, can end the night quickly.

So, don’t miss this exciting Heavyweight bout live on Sky Sports Box Office Saturday May 2, 2020 at Manchester Arena.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Anthony Joshua”

World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

In a beautiful display of boxing at the open-air arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 Kos) successfully regained his crown by defeating Unified IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Champion of the World Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-2, 22 Kos) by unanimous decision.

A slimmed down and focussed AJ showed up tonight to silence all the naysayers who counted him out and rewrite the wrong of June 1st when he suffered his first humiliating defeat at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden.

From round 1 to round 12, AJ executed the “game plan” to a “T” and never wavered from it. AJ stayed long and tall, moved and jabbed his way to a unanimous decision. The Judges scored it 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109 all in favor of Anthony Joshua.

AJ boxed and maintained his composure throughout the entire bout. Andy couldn’t close the distance or administer any type of sustained offence. AJ ‘s movement was clearly frustrating Andy as the rounds wore on.

That being said, the naysayers will still have some negative things to say about AJ ‘s win but truth be told, AJ dominated Andy in such a convincing fashion that cannot be ignored by his peers.

Hate him or love him, Anthony Joshua has now regained his rightful position in the Heavyweight Division and is now a Two-Time IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Anthony on a job well done. Now on to the New Year 2020!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor”

World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final

Tonight’s World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Finals at the O2 Arena in London between WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion & WBC Diamond Champion Regis Prograis (24-1, 20 Kos) and IBF Super-Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor (16-0, 13 Kos), came down to the wire.

This bout was a back and forth tussle from the jump with both fighters trying to assert themselves round by round while working their respective “game plan” and each looking for that advantage.

Taylor came to fight tonight and he wasn’t about to let this big opportunity pass him by. Regis, on the other hand, started a little slower and in doing so, to me, kept the fight a lot closer than it should have been. The visiting fighter Regis, should have kept his foot on the peddle and kept that pressure coming by being busier round by round.

That being said, this bout was a strategic chess match with both fighters performing at a very high level of boxing IQ with neither fighter backing down.

As damn close as this bout was, to the Judges’ eyes they scored it 115-113, 117-112 and 114-114 in favor of Taylor. Josh backed his trash talking by keeping his IBF Super-Lightweight Title and picking up the WBA Super-Lightweight World Championship Belt, the vacant Super-Lightweight Ring Magazine Belt and the prestigious Ali Trophy.

By defeating the No. 1 seeded Regis Prograis and collecting all that hardware, Josh has officially captured the No. 1 Spot in the Super-Lightweight Division. Next on the hit list is a unification bout with WBC/WBO Super-Lightweight Champion Jose Ramirez (25-0, 17 Kos) to decide the Undisputed Champion in the 140-pound Division.

Until then Josh, congratulations on your latest accomplishments. The road to undisputed is on the horizon .

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor”

World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final

It has officially been announced that the World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final between WBA Super-Lightweight World Champion & WBC Diamond Champion Regis Prograis (24-0, 20 Kos) and IBF Super-Lightweight World Champion & WBC Silver Champion Josh Taylor (15-0, 13 Kos), will be taking place on Saturday night October 26, 2019 at the O2 Arena in London.

Depending on who you’re asking, these two right here might just be the two best Super-Lightweights in the Division today. Real Talk! Regis entered the WBSS Tournament as the No. 1 seed while Josh entered as the No. 2 seed. Both undefeated with no shortage of confidence from either combatant.

This showdown is a sure shot banger with major fireworks on the horizon when these two Dudes touch gloves inside that squared circle. There is a lot at stake here: a unification bout, undefeated records, the vacant Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight Championship and above all the prestigious Ali Trophy.

The winner of this World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight Tournament will stand to be the clear-cut No.1 in the 140-pound Division and one step closer at Undisputed. Both warriors can clearly see the benefits ahead and are determined and driven to come out on top but there can only be one true victor.

Both have talked the talk but all the slick and greasy trash talking doesn’t win fights, however, gloving them up inside that squared circle does. Now let’s see who can back it up under the bright lights. Tune in live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. Saturday October 26, 2019, at the O2 Arena.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Anthony Joshua”

World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

It has now officially been announced. The highly anticipated rematch between newly crowned Unified IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO Heavyweight Champion of the World Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-1, 22 Kos) and former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 Kos) is set to take place in an open-air arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night December 7, 2019.

In my eyes, what Andy accomplished back on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York City is genuinely one of the biggest upsets in Heavyweight history. Having finally tasted the fruits of his labor and enjoying that good life, Andy is now back preparing himself to prove the naysayers wrong if they think his win over AJ was a lucky break. The instant fame and attention he’s received till this day, along with holding all them Championship Belts, is something he’s not willing to part ways with anytime soon. Ruiz is firmly stating that his hunger to succeed is still there and he wants it to last. come December 7, 2019, Andy is anticipating on still being Heavyweight Champion of the World.

That being said, Anthony is seriously looking forward to the challenge ahead and at becoming a two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. AJ understands that he badly dropped the ball back in June and is now refocused on righting the wrong and reclaiming the No 1 Spot in the Heavyweight Division. Judging by the previous outcome it may look like Andy has AJ’s number and that could well be the case, but I’m anticipating Joshua to make the proper adjustments needed to neutralize Andy’s aggressive output.

With a full camp ahead this time around, Andy is expecting to be leaner, faster and that much sharper come fight night for whatever AJ is planning on bringing to that squared circle. Personally, I feel the pressure will be on Anthony to deliver and to deliver in a convincing fashion in order to reclaim the throne that was once his.

Andy ruined AJ’s U.S. debut back in June at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It will be up to Anthony to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night December 7, 2019, live on DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office. Tune in and witness the outcome.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas”

WBC Heavyweight Eliminator

In a competitive WBC Heavyweight Eliminator bout Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, UK, Dillian Whyte “The Body Snatcher” (26-1, 18 Kos) picked himself up from a ninth-round knockdown to secure the win against Canadian-based Colombian Oscar Rivas (26-1, 18 Kos).

I gotta tip my “B” hat to Dillian for the way he handled himself inside that squared circle last night. This bout was a tougher fight than he expected but Whyte did not disappoint us.

Rivas came out of the gate strong but Whyte’s patience and steady jab were key and definitely effective throughout the rounds. Whyte executed the “game plan” to a “T” and managed to control the rounds when the going got tough. Whyte used his height and reach effectively and consistently which made it difficult for Rivas to establish any type of steady attack.

Rivas gave it a good showing and definitely made it competitive, but when all the smoked cleared the right man won the night. The Judges scored it 115-112, 115-112 and 116-111. No objections here.

With this win, Whyte now becomes the WBC Interim Heavyweight Champion with an assurance of an opportunity at the reigning full WBC Champion Deontay Wilder (41-0-1 40 Kos).

Now it’s debatable when we’ll actually see Whyte share the ring with Deontay but until then keep pilling them wins Whyte and maintaining that strong deserving mandatory position.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Demetrius Andrade vs Maciej Sulecki”

WBO Middleweight Title Challenge

In his first hometown fight last Saturday night in DAZN’s main event at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island, Providence, WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade (28-0 17 Kos) had himself a showcase type performance in shutting out highly ranked Maciej Sulecki (28-2, 11 Kos).

It was clear from the first round that there are levels to this Boxing sh*t and Sulecki found that out quick when he got dropped for an 8 count. No disrespect to Sulecki who was a worthy opponent but, on that night, Sulecki had met his match. I expected to see a competitive bout between them two but as the rounds wore on Andrade’s superior skills were on full display and turned the bout into a glorified sparring session for his home crowd to witness live.

Sulecki seemed out of place and had absolutely no answer to Andrade’s slick offensive attack and defensive skills. Truth be told this was the first time I saw Sulecki get outboxed and literally shutout for a full twelve rounds of action. No other opponent has ever had this much success against him until that night. All three of the Judges scored it 120-107 for Andrade.

That being said, Andrade is a serious problem in the Middleweight Division and to any competitors game enough to step into that squared circle with him. I personally think we still haven’t seen the best of Andrade yet. But if the Unified “Kingpin” Champion of the Middleweight Division Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) were ever to accept his challenge maybe then we would see Andrade’s full arsenal on display and finally get the best fighting the best for Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World. Just a thought.

Until then Demetrius keep piling up them wins, your call will be answered soon.

Blaze