On The Watch “It’s All About Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez”

IBF/WBO Super Featherweight Unification Showdown

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event Between WBO Super Featherweight Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 Kos) and IBF Super Featherweight Champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (29-2, 27 Kos) was an impressive performance by the underdog Navarrete, who showed the fans in attendance at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, why he’s been a Champion for so long.

Many of boxing’s pundits favoured Nunez and anticipated Navarrete to have his toughest fight to date but what transpired was quite different. Navarrete came in this bout extremely focused and well-conditioned for the task at hand and proceeded to press the action with controlled aggressive boxing and moving from the first bell.

Nunez is a well-schooled tough combatant but, on this night, he was playing catch up with an assassin who was shooting on all cylinders. Nunez had some moments with the body shots but not enough to deter Navarrete from pressing him with some heavy shots.

As good as Nunez attempted to stand his ground and fight toe-to-toe, the consistent onslaught coming his way was severely taking a toll on him. After damaging his eye in the early rounds, the writing was on the wall. The ringside Doctor was on the lookout. 

By round 10, the blood continued to pour out of Nunez’s shut right eye as he was brutally taking in some serious abuse. This prompted the ringside Doctor to inspect Nunez’s right eye once again at the beginning of round 11 and advised the referee to stop the bout.

This was a bout where the betting world projected Navarrete to fail but this Champion proved the naysayers wrong by outclassing a formidable Champion Eduardo Nunez on the biggest fight of his career, to now being crowned Unified IBF/WBO Super Featherweight Champion of the World.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Brian Norman Jr. vs Devin Haney”

WBO Welterweight Showdown

The Co Main Event on “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” between undefeated WBO World Champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 Kos) and undefeated former two Division Champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (33-0, 15 Kos) was an intriguing bout at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the challenger silenced all the naysayers who doubted.

Both camps talked a good game towards the build-up of this bout but it was the Haney camp who had the last word by the way Devin proceeded to disarm Brian from all angles inside that squared circle.

I anticipated that Brian would bring the “HEAT” to Devin in a bullyish way inside that squared circle but to my surprise Devin was well prepared and focussed for that action and neutralized Brian from ever getting any type of traction at any time throughout the duration of the bout.

It was a one-sided boxing clinic by Devin who made the Champion look amateurish and dropped Brian early in the second round to earn his respect. That was the moment when Brian’s “game plan” went out the window.

Brian talked a good game and made some tough claims he couldn’t deliver on but Devin stayed true to his word and talked it like he walked it. Devin showed levels above his competition and delivered on the night and for that I gotta tip my “B” had to “The Dream”.

After 12 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand called it 117-110, 116-111 and 114-113 unanimously for Devin Haney.

With this convincing win Devin has now claimed a Championship in three different continents, the new WBO Welterweight Champion and became a three-Division Champion. Well done!

Congratulations Devin on another great accomplishment.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes”

Vacant WBO World Lightweight Challenge

First up in last night’s “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” were two undefeated warriors in Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17 Kos) and Sam Noakes (17-1, 15 Kos) vying for the Vacant WBO World Lightweight Title at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and boy did these two combatants put on a hell of a show. Real Talk!

Mason, who was the favourite on the night, walked in this bout full of confidence thinking this was going to be easy work but soon found out from the jump that Noakes wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Noakes proved to be a tougher combatant than his previous challengers because on this night Noakes brought the “HEAT” and forced Mason into a toe-to-toe type fight that his father/coach did not want for his son. Mason literally threw away the “game plan” and slugged it out with Noakes and brought the house up to their feet with the way these two tough warriors exchanged gloves from round to round.

A determined Mason dug deep and withstood all that was coming at him but gave out more of his own by pressing the action further in the championship rounds with some serious body and head shots clearly breaking the resilient Noakes down who refused to quit.

After 12 full rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 117-111, 115-111 and 115-111 unanimously for Abdullah Mason.

With this convincing win Mason picked up the Vacant WBO World Lightweight Title crowning him the youngest current male World Champion at 21 years old.

Congratulations Champ. Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All about Mary Spencer vs Mikaela Mayer”

WBA Super Welterweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event between our own Canadian WBA Super Welterweight Champion Mary Spencer (10-3, 6 Kos) and challenger WBO Welterweight Champion Mikaela Mayer (22-2, 5 Kos) who moved up in weight for this bout, turned out to be a hell of a one-sided performance that silenced the Montreal Casino crowd in attendance. Real Talk!

Mikaela, who was clearly the smaller combatant, brought in that heat with that nonstop aggression that had Mary bewildered and bothered all night. Mikaela held no punches on the night. She let her hands go from head to body making sure her presence inside that squared circle was felt in every round.

As the away fighter, Mikaela was determined not to let this opportunity get taken away from her. Mikaela bullied the bigger Champion in her own house and showed Mary the many levels above that she has on her inside that squared circle. It was a dominant and impressive one-sided beatdown by Mikaela that could not be denied.

After 10 rounds of one-sided action, the Judges at hand scored it 100-90, 98-92 and 98-92 unanimously for Mikaela Mayer.

With this convincing win, Mikaela snatched away the WBA Super Welterweight Championship Title from Mary and picked up the vacant WBA Super and the WBC Super Welterweight Titles now crowning her the New Unified Super Welterweight Champion of the Division and still WBO Welterweight Champion.

Well done, Mikaela, you are now in the position of power with options in two different Divisions. This is your time, and you’ve earned it the hard way.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Brian Norman Jr. vs Jin Sasaki”

WBO Welterweight Showdown

Thursday morning’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Even between WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 Kos) and challenger (19-2, 17 Kos) was a statement bout heard all around the world when Norman Jr. laced up his gloves and performed to the best of his abilities at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

Although Sasaki was a good, strong and tough competitor, on this night (or morning for us) Sasaki was clearly outmatch. Norman Jr. proved from the first round on who was the dominant combatant between the two when he easily dropped Sasaki within the first 30 seconds of round one and again a minute later proving his power was legit and nothing to play with inside that squared circle.

Sasaki proceeded to withstand the one-sided onslaught for a few more rounds and attempted to stand his ground but it was clear by the way he was being bounced around from left to right around the ring that this bout wasn’t going to last the distance.

Norman Jr. was simply too big, too strong and levels above Sasaki, who had absolutely nothing to deter Norman Jr. from having his way with him inside that squared circle. The inevitable was basically unavoidable and by the fifth round Norman Jr. landed a viscous left hook to the dome heard around the World that dropped Sasaki straight down. No count was needed due to the severity of the knockout but a stretcher was a must to transport him out for safety.

Norman Jr. announced himself to the World on foreign soil with this devastating and possible knockout of the year. The welterweight Division has a serious Champion to content with Brian Norman Jr. holding that WBO Belt. Goodluck to the competition attempting to dethrone this kid.

Well Done, Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Ramon Cardenas”

Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN+ Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Champion Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 Kos) and challenger Ramon Cardenas (26-2, 14 Kos), single handedly saved the entire heavy weekend of boxing by giving us fans the excitement that was missing throughout the weekend when these two warriors graced the inside of that squared circle at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This bout was action packed from start to finish. Both combatants were very sharp and brought the “HEAT” while exchanging some serious leather with “BOMBS” coming from both sides. Inoue’s aggressive style is very crowd pleasing but can sometimes leave openings when not careful and that is exactly what transpired when he got caught late in the second round with a counter left hook and tasted the canvas for a quick standing 8 count. He brushed himself off though while the fans in attendance erupted with “HYPE” as the action was about to blow up!

From round three, the action picked up from both combatants. I was impressed by Cardenas who stood his ground and fought toe-to-toe and asserted himself quite well and made it an entertaining bout as the rounds progressed.

That being said, a highly motivated Inoue stepped his game up and his pressure as he started to walk down his opponent while administering some heavy shots loaded with combinations. The inevitable was near as Inoue’s onslaught was becoming painfully hard for Cardenas to avoid and he eventually folded in the corner to a standing 8 count in the seventh round. The crowd once again erupted to their feet as Cardenas survived the round.

By the start of round eight the unanswered onslaught came in hot and Cardenas was pinned on the ropes absorbing some serious leather which then prompted the referee to halt the bout. Some will say that the stoppage was premature but truth be told, the end was truly inevitable as the punches were coming in at a higher clip with some serious power behind them.

With this convincing win now under his belt, Naoya Inoue retained his Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Featherweight Championship Titles and continues to reign supreme.

Well done, Champ.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Mikaela Mayer vs Sandy Ryan II”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Rematch Main Event between WBO Welterweight Champion Mikaela Mayer (21-2, 5 Kos) and challenger Sandy Ryan (7-3-1, 3 Kos) was definitely entertaining with a more determined outcome than their previous clash at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Them two warriors definitely picked up the action from where they left off from their last encounter but this time around Mayer’s “game plan” was just as good as the first time out. Mayer pressed the action right from the bell with both combatants trying to establish their effective jabs but Mayer’s activity was once again key by the number of punches she was putting together compared to Ryan.

As hard as Ryan was fighting back, Mayer’s bullyish way and aggression was definitely throwing Sandy off her “game plan” as she was not always able to match the energy coming her way. Ryan is usually known to put the pressure on her opposition but last night, she looked defeated at times and unable to deter Mayer from having success against her.

Ryan managed to put some good work together in the later rounds of the bout but to me it looked like she may have missed her opportunity by not being able to adjust her “game plan” in the first haft of the bout.

After 10 full rounds of action the Judges at hand scored it 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93, unanimously for Mikaela Mayer.

Absolutely no controversy this time around. Mayer showed skill for skill that she was the better combatant on the night hands down.

With this convincing win, Mikaela Mayer retained her WBO Welterweight Title and is now looking to challenge the Queen of the Welterweight Division Unified IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine Champion Lauren Price (9-0, 2 Kos).

Now that is a very interesting matchup, but until then, congratulations Mikaela 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 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 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