On The Watch “It’s All About Emanuel Navarrete vs Oscar Valdez II”

WBO World Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Mexican Rematch Showdown Main Event between WBO World Super Featherweight Champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 Kos) and challenger former WBO Featherweight Champion, Oscar Valdez (32-3, 23 Kos) was a continuation of their last meeting where both combatants picked up where they left off at round 13 with only one difference: Navarrete’s power was on full display at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Navarrete wasted no time asserting himself from the jump and proved to be too strong for Valdez who got dropped in the opening round while being dominated from that point on. Navarrete’s unorthodox style continued to be a problem that Valdez and his corner had no clue how to deter this combatant from having his way. Although Valdez tried his best to stay competitive, it was painfully obvious that he stood no chance on the night.

Valdez’s power had utterly no effect and his aggressive attempts only opened him up to being dropped once again by a vicious right uppercut that indicated the inevitable was nearby. By the sixth round the onslaught coming towards Valdez was a tough one to watch but a well-placed body shot by Navarrete dropped Valdez for the third time who could not answer the count administered by the referee who called an end to the bout.

This was a very impressive and dominating performance by Navarrete proving that when he’s 100% inside that squared circle, he could well be unbeatable.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Emanuel Navarrete vs Robson Conceicao”

WBO World Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Co-Main Event between WBO World Super Featherweight Champion Emanuel Navarrete (38-1-1 31 Kos) and Robson Conceicao (17-2-1, 8 Kos) was an entertaining bout from start to finish.

Due to Navarrete’s slow start, Conceicao took advantage early and boxed beautifully and stayed active with his hands, but Navarrete’s power and aggressive, awkward styles were quite evident round by round. I was impressed with Conceicao standing his ground and exchanging blow for blow with a much heavier handed combatant across from him, but Conceicao did eventually pay the price by being overly confident in the fourth round and got dropped for a quick standing 8 count. To my surprise Conceicao jumped right back into being active and resilient with his offense.

The heavier shots kept on coming from Navarrete who pressed the action as best he could, but Conceicao didn’t make it easy for him and continued to bang toe-to-toe even though he lacked the power his active hands kept him in the fight. Navarrete’s power showed up again in the seventh round when he dropped Conceicao for the second time for another standing 8 count but couldn’t finish him off in his usual fashion. A tired looking Conceicao refused to fold and continued to box his way to the final bell of the 12thround.

The Judges at hand had a tough call to make. One Judge called it 114-112 for Navarrete while the other two Judges called it 113-113 giving this bout a majority draw.

Conceicao got rewarded for his work rate handed round by round while Navarrete still retained his WBO World Super Featherweight Title after a hard night’s work. Although Navarrete didn’t look as razor-sharp as his last outing, he did manage to give us fans a hell of a fight with Conceicao. Maybe a rematch could be in the near future to clear the air.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Emanuel Navarrete vs Oscar Valdez”

WBO World Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN Mexican Showdown Main event between WBO World Super Featherweight Champion Emanuel Navarrete (38-1, 31 Kos) and former WBO Featherweight Champion Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 Kos), brought the heat and the house down with their performance at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

These two warriors wasted no time and proceeded at throwing some heavy leather back and forth right from the first bell dictating how this bout was going to unfold.

At first sight it was clear that Navarrete’s unorthodox pressured style and physical strength was definitely going to be a problem for Valdez to deter. Navarrete’s punches were coming from all angles nonstop making it really hard for Valdez to counter back since punches were coming at him in bunches at a time.

That being said, Valdez’s counterpunches were visibly effective when thrown but not damaging enough to discourage Navarrete’s high-volume attack of six punch combinations coming back at him.

Although Valdez stood his ground going toe to toe with Navarrete, the assault that Oscar was absorbing was visibly breaking him down round by round. Navarrete’s overall style was simply too much for Oscar on the night.

After 12 blistering rounds of action, the Judges at hand called it 119-109, 118-110, 116-112 all in favor of Emanuel Navarrete.

With this convincing win Navarrete retained his WBO World Super Featherweight Title and recorded his biggest win of his career to date.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Alycia Baumgardner vs Christina Linardatou”

Undisputed Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between Undisputed Super Featherweight Champion Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 Kos) and challenger Christina Linardatou (14-3, 6 Kos), was the type of an event that was perfectly set for Alycia’s homecoming at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan.

Alycia had her fans in attendance cheering her name from start to finish and she did not disappoint them. Although Christina did put up a good fight and definitely had some moments throughout the bout, it was Alycia who controlled the rounds and prevented Christina’s pressure style of fighting from ever deterring Alycia from her “game plan” at hand.

Alycia showed patience round by round and boxed beautifully, administering some vicious blows visibly stunting Christina as the rounds progressed. Alycia looked strong and focussed and always in control of her emotions.

Alycia definitely showed growth and maturity from her last encounter with Christina who gave her the first loss of her professional career back in 2018. This version of Alycia was the Undisputed Super Featherweight Champion of the World and possessed the higher ring IQ of the night.

Alycia desperately needed and wanted that revenge bout to be dealt with and deal with it she did in a very convincing manner. Alycia dominated Christina who was very active with her hands but this time lacked the power to deter the Champ from having her way.

That being said, after 10 rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 all in favour of Alycia Baumgardner.

With this convincing win, Alycia retained her Undisputed Super Featherweight status and can now set her eyes on bigger challenges ahead in the likes of Undisputed Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor, Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion Chantelle Cameron or even Undisputed Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano.

Alycia is clearly seeking the biggest fights available regardless of the Champion. I can’t wait to see who will sign up for the challenge.

Until then, congratulations on your latest win Alycia.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Alycia Baumgardner vs Elhem Mekhaled”

Undisputed Super Featherweight Champion

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event between Unified IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion Alycia Baumgardner (14-1, 7 Kos) and challenger Elhem Mekhaled (15-2, 3 Kos) at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater was a very entertaining bout from start to finish. Real Talk!

Alycia came out the gate by pressing the action looking to overwhelm Elhem with her controlled aggression which kept a high pace in the early rounds. Alycia used her physical strength to her advantage and eventually dropped Elhem twice for two standing 8 counts in the third round but was unable to put Mekhaled away.

Sensing things were going bad for her, Elhem didn’t submit and continued to press the action. She continued to absorb a lot of punishment but definitely showed her durability as the rounds progressed and Alycia slowed her pace down to conserve some energy.

Sensing Alycia looked a little breathless Elhem pressed the action well into the championship rounds making this a tougher bout then expected but Alycia showed determination and bit down on her gum shield and mustered the right amount of energy and shots needed to edge the rounds in my eyes. Her punches were simply more telling.

After 10 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 99-89, 99-89 and 98-90 unanimously for Alycia Baumgardner.

With this win Alycia picked up the vacant WBA Super Featherweight Title while retaining her IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Titles, now crowning her the New Undisputed Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Alycia on your latest astonishing accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Emanuel Navarrete vs Liam Wilson”

Vacant WBO Super Featherweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN+ Main Event between WBC Featherweight Champion Emanuel Navarrete (37-1, 31 Kos) and challenger Liam Wilson (11-2, 7 Kos) definitely brought the fans in attendance at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona to their feet.

It was a very intriguing bout where the highly favourite Navarrete got tested early and probably underestimated his opponent when he got dropped and hurt badly in the fourth round but still managed to survive the onslaught coming at him.

With a strong fourth decisive round in the bank for Liam, his confidence grew from that point on but was still unable to capitalize fully as the rounds progressed. Navarrete definitely stepped his game up but still left himself quite open to some unnecessary shots due to his awkward style.

Navarrete’s lack of respect for defense was quite apparent but his high-volume offense and power shots undeniably make up for it as he usually overwhelms his opponents into submission.

As the rounds progressed both combatants exchanged good shots but it was Navarrete who seemed to take control in the later rounds. By the ninth round the inevitable occurred when Navarrete decided to put his punches together and chased down Wilson with a detonating right hand to the dome that dropped a badly hurt Liam for an 8 count that saw him rise up to his feet only to succumb to a barrage of unanswered punches from head to body pinned on the ropes and forcing the referee to put a stop to the bout.

It was a tougher bout then expected for Navarrete who got tested on the night but his higher work rate throughout the bout got the job done in a convincing fashion.

With this win Navarrete became a Three Division World Champion and the new WBO Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Being that Emanuel is also the WBC Featherweight Champion and now WBO Super Featherweight Champion, he will have 10 days to inform the WBO sanctioning body of which Division he will be campaigning at as Champion in the future.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Alycia Baumgardner vs Mikaela Mayer”


IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO Super Featherweight Unification Championship Showdown

Tonight’s Sky Sports/Boxxer Unification championship bout between Super Featherweight Champion IBF/WBO/Ring Magazine Mikaela Mayer (17-1, 5 Kos) and WBC/IBO Champion Alycia Baumgardner (13-1, 7 Kos) put it all on the line as co Main Event at the 02 Arena in London and did not disappoint.

This highly anticipated grudge match unraveled as a highly played out chess match with both girls executing their respected “game plan” round by round to a “T”. However, Alycia asserted herself as the aggressor right from the jump pressuring Mikaela with some very good combinations making it real uncomfortable for Mikaela to assess.

That being said, Mikaela did eventually figure out her range and jab her way out to make this fight quite interesting as the rounds progressed.

Both girls were letting their hands go from the phone booth to the outside administering some heavy blows coming from both sides. It was a calculative bout from the jump and both girls had their moments.

At times, both girls fought with caution making it real hard to call a clear winner of some rounds but after 10 full rounds of action the Judges at hand had a tough decision to make but called it 97-93 for Mikaela and 96-95 twice for Alycia making her the winner by split decision and New Unified IBF/IBO/WBC/WBO and Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Both combatants talked enough trash before this big night but it was Alycia Baumgardner who managed to pull off the narrow close win to walk away the Unified Super Featherweight Champion.

Well done, Alycia, you have clearly established yourself as the No. 1
Featherweight Champion of the Division. Undisputed is definitely in your near future.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terri Harper vs Alycia Baumgardner”

IBO/WBC Super Featherweight Challenge

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Co Main Event between IBO/WBC Super Featherweight Champion Terri Harper (11-1-1, 6 Kos) and challenger Alycia Baumgardner (11-1, 7 Kos) at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England was a perfect example of a cherry pick gone wrong. Real Talk!

Alycia, the American came in the Champion’s house and put it on her straight from the jump. Alycia looked confident and focussed right from the opening round, asserting herself quite well with control aggression.

Alycia wasted no time applying nonstop pressure clearly taking the Champion Terri by surprise. Alycia was simply too strong for the Champion who visibly had no way of keeping the challenger from applying pressure.

Alycia walked it like she talked it and stopped the champion in the fourth round on her feet with a devastating right hand that had her stunted and seemingly trapped inside a matrix prompting the referee to stop the bout.

Just like that, game seven scenario with the challenger dethroning the Champion in her own house. Unbelievable!

With this impeccable win Alycia just disrupted the Super Featherweight Division by becoming the New IBO/WBC Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Alycia on this exceptional performance. You took this voluntary opportunity and proved to the world that you belong with the top dogs of this Featherweight Division. You earned this one the hard way, and I can’t wait to see what becomes of this latest achievement.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Showtime Premier Boxing Champions and Mayweather Promotions”

Showtime Boxing Night

What a night!! Last night, Saturday April 21, 2018, Mayweather Promotions and Showtime Premier Boxing Champions delivered us another exciting tripleheader at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn New York. Real Talk!

First up was undefeated Gervonta Davis (20-0, 19 Kos) who became a Two-Time World Champion by annihilating in a devastating fashion Jesus Cuellar (28-3, 21 Kos) to pick up the vacant WBA 130-pound World Championship Belt.

There ‘s level to this Boxing sh*t and this young shooter has been leaps above his competition to date. REAL TALK! It took Gervonta less than 3 rounds to dispose of his worthy opponent. Three knockdowns, heavy accurate power shots and spectacular movement, were just too much for Jesus Cuellar to handle. Gervonta came ready to rumble and performed, as a Champion should.

Gervonta is truly the present and the future of this Super Featherweight Division.
Congratulations Champ on being the youngest Champion to ever do it this good.

Who really wants it next??

In the co-feature, undefeated Jermall Charlo (27-0, 21 Kos) overpowered Hugo Centeno (26-2, 14 Kos) with some heavy combinations and stopping him in the second round. EASYYY WORK! It was a total mismatch with no resistance whatsoever. The Kid is a “Beast” inside that squared circle hands down. With this win Jermall became Interim WBC Middleweight Champion and now mandatory to Gennady Golovkin.

The Middleweight Division just got shook with this one cause your Boy Charlo is coming for that No.1 Spot.

Congratulations Champ you are officially a Two-Time and Two-Division World Champion on the come up!

In the main event, in a catch–weight at 144 pounds, Adrian “The Problem” Broner (33-3-1 24 Kos) and Jessie Vargas (28-2-2, 10 Kos) battled to a controversial majority draw.

Real Talk! This bout was tight from start to finish; Broner performed way better than his last two outings in my eyes. He looked fit strong and his energy was much better. Vargas was on point early but seemed to be fading as the rounds wore on. Dude is tough though he never gave up when sh*t got popping. Kid definitely got heart.

Personally, I think that if Broner would have let his hands go just a little bit more sh*t would have been clear to all three judges. That being said a draw is not a loss and both can do it over again if need be.

Bottom line this was a good night of Boxing.

Your thoughts on this one?

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