On The Watch “It’s All About Jessica McCaskill vs Cecilia Braekhus”

Undisputed Welterweight Championship

Last night’s DAZN/Matchroom co-Main Event Undisputed Welterweight Championship rematch showdown at the American Airlines Arena between Jessica McCaskill (10-2, 3 Kos) and Cecilia Braekhus (36-2, 9 Kos) was a dominant performance by the Champion. Real Talk!

Jessica, who was the first to dethrone the “First Lady” back in August 2020, in what many have called a controversy win, proved last night that her previous victory over Cecilia was justified when she convincingly sealed the deal the second time around.

Jessica asserted herself from round one and never took her foot off the gas pedal and stayed in attack mode dropping heavy leather from all angles. This surprising fast pace that had Cecilia confused, off balance and unable to settle into her own offence all night.

I’m not sure what the “game plan” was for Cecilia but it was very unexpected to see someone with such a high boxing IQ struggle the way she did inside that squared circle. Cecilia did manage to apply some pressure in the later rounds but the damage was already sealed.
The Judges had seen enough and scored it 100-89, 99-90, 98-91 in favor of Jessica.

With this unanimous decision Jessica silenced all the naysayers and retained her WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO and collected the prestigious Ring Magazine Championship Belt and still Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations Jessica on such a great victory.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Daniel Jacobs”

Middleweight Unification Challenge

Last night’s Main Event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas did not disappoint. Once again, Middleweight WBA, WBC, Ring Magazine, Lineal Champion Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) proved to his peers and the World why he is the “Kingpin” of the Middleweight Division, hands down, by defeating with a unanimous decision IBF Middleweight Champion, Daniel Jacobs (35-3, 29 Kos).

There was no controversy here last night. Both came out with their respective “game plan” and executed it as best as they could. It was a chess match from start to finish, a well thought out bout.

Canelo, the shorter fighter of the two, pressed the action and kept his hands busy with a very good jab to go along with steady body punches and a higher percentage of power shots, while Jacobs started off slow and was having a harder time asserting himself throughout the bout.

It took Jacobs a few more rounds to eventually get things going but by that time, Canelo was ahead on the cards and had already affirmed himself and knew exactly how to disrupt Jacobs’ offence.

The Kid Canelo is a serious problem inside that squared circle. If you’re going to start slow against him, you’re doomed from the jump. You have to stay on point at all times against this Kat, one slip up and he has you.

Although Jacobs was the bigger, taller fighter, Canelo’s in ring experience and boxing IQ made up for any possible disadvantage. This was a true test in every way. Two well-schooled Champions going at it on the biggest stage.

Unlike Canelo’s last bout with Gennady Golovkin, this was not a war but a skillful display of boxing at its best.

All three Judges had Canelo winning by the scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112. (No complaints from me.) Listen, had Jacobs connected more with his power shots and started early, this bout could have easily been a draw. Real Talk!

That being said, with this win Canelo now captured his third Middleweight Title. He now possesses the IBF, WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine Belts. In order to completely unify the Middleweight Division, Alvarez needs to collect the last remaining WBO Belt from Champion Demetrius Andrade. Not an easy task but definitely one well worth the challenge.

Until then, congratulations on your latest great achievement. You truly are the “Kingpin” of the Middleweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Christina Hammer”

Undisputed Middleweight Championship

Last night’s performance by Claressa Shields (9-0, 2 Kos) at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was a thing of beauty. Real Talk! Claressa talked that talk and backed up every word of it inside that squared circle and in doing so walked away the Undisputed Women’s Middleweight Champion of the World. Real Talk!

Shields, the younger Champion simply outclassed and outworked Hammer (24-1, 11 Kos) the more seasoned Champion round by round. Claressa fought with that hunger in her eyes while Christina showed fear with no real sense of urgency knowing, she was behind on the cards.

Personally, I expected Christina to put up a way better performance than what she came out with last night but truth be told Hammer had absolutely no way of disrupting Shields’s onslaught. Claressa’s speed, high work rate, counter punches combined with her power punches were just too much for Christina to settle in any type of offensive redeem.

This “Super Fight” was a one-sided schooling session by the younger but highly gifted Claressa Shields. All three Judges were in agreeance with the score of 98-92 for Claressa Shields. Nuff said!

Claressa came in with the IBF, WBA and WBC Middleweight Belts around her waist and picked up the WBO Championship Belt from Christina and the prestigious Ring Magazine Belt that was also up for grabs on this very special night. Dream achieved.

With all 5 Belts now safely in her possession, Claressa is willing to challenge herself one step further by moving one weight Division down to Welterweight and challenge the Undisputed Champion Cecilia Braekhus, the first women in any weight class to hold the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine Titles concurrently.

Listen, if this “Super Fight” were ever to come to fruition, the winner of this bout could definitely lay claims to being crowned “The Greatest Female Boxer” of all time. Real Talk!

Until then congratulations on your Historical achievement.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Danny Jacobs”

Middleweight Unification Challenge

Another highly anticipated bout has officially been announced today between Middleweight “Kingpin” IBO, WBA, WBC, Lineal Champion Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 Kos) and IBF Middleweight Champion Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 Kos).

A unification bout has been set for May 4, 2019 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, airing live and exclusively on DAZN and Sky Box Office.

I’m impressed with how Canelo is stepping up and taking on another real challenger in Danny, cause your “Boy” Jacobs is no walk in the park for anyone in the Middleweight Division. Real Talk! Canelo has been on a roll and showing steady improvement, with levels upon levels every time he walked into that squared circle. Canelo is one of the best pound-for-pound in the “Game“ today and a win against Jacobs could possibly move him up closer to that No. 1 spot on the pound-for-pound list in my eyes.

That being said, Jacobs is cut from a different cloth. He’s a thoroughbred who’s been down before but fought his way back to the top and re-established himself as a very worthy opponent who’s ready to shock the world come fight night. There is a lot riding on this fight for both combatants but for Jacobs, this is his second chance and possibly his last at unifying the Division, so coming short of accomplishing his goal is not in the plans.

Styles makes fights and with this in mind I can’t wait to see how this one plays out. This is a real 50/50 fight where both warriors are strong, agile, ring savvy with a very high boxing IQ. Aside from the height and reach difference between the two, the real denominator will be which one will have the better “Game Plan” come fight night.

There are levels to this Boxing sh*t, so tune in Saturday night May 4, 2019, exclusively on DAZN and Sky Box Office or better yet be there live at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to witness two of the best Middleweights battling it out for “supremacy” of the Division.

The time has come, who will triumph?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Claressa Shields vs Christina Hammer”

Middleweight Unification Challenge

Women’s Boxing has been picking up some steam as of late and will continue in doing so with the first Undisputed Showdown in the women’s 160-Pound Division.

This unification bout on the horizon between Claressa Shields (8-0, 2 Kos) a Two-Division Champion who holds the IBF, WBA and WBC Belt, and Christina Hammer (24-0, 11 Kos) who possesses the WBO and WBC Champion in Recess Belt, will go down in history as one of the biggest women’s bout for the ages.

These two young Undefeated Champions, in their prime, are putting it all on the line Saturday April 13 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

It’s clear off the jump that Christina has the edge base on the experience. Having been a Champion for over eight years she definitely “hammered” her way through the Women’s Middleweight Division with her gloves up.

That being said, Shields is not your typical girl on the come up. Claressa has entered the professional level iced up with back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, then after four fights in she acquired two Super Middleweight World Titles. To further challenge herself Claressa then dropped down to the Middleweight Division and contested for two vacant Middleweight Titles that she proudly owns the rights to today.

Christina considers herself the best Middleweight in the “Game” and plans on putting the “Hammer” on Shields come fight night but truth be told, Claressa has her own agenda and will be looking to prove Christina wrong by becoming the Women’s Undisputed World Middleweight Champion.

Skills for skills these two female warriors match up pretty well inside that squared circle but there can only be one face, one name, one champion. Who will prevail under pressure and the bright lights?

Tune in Saturday night, April 13 live on SHOWTIME from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey and be part of a historical night.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Andre “S.O.G.” Ward”

Andre Ward Retiring From Boxing

Today we see another future Hall of Famer hang his Boxing Gloves up. Andre “S.O.G.” Ward is one of very few Professional Boxers who get to walk away while still being on the top of his Game. His accolades in this Boxing Game speak for himself. 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Two-Division World Champion, Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion, Reigning Pound-For Pound WBA, WBO, IBF and still undefeated (32-0 16Kos). Nuff said.

Haters are going to talk that shit about homey but REAL TALK, I’m happy to see Ward walk away from Boxing on his own terms. Andre is part of that exceptional breed of disciplined Boxers who took the Game seriously and stayed on path throughout his entire career and looking back at it now, all that hard work and dedication to the sport he loved paid off.

Even if his career ends earlier than anyone projected, “Hate him or love him” peeps can’t front on what Ward brought to the Boxing World. You will be missed. Thank you Andre “S.O.G.” Ward for blessing us with your greatness.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin”

“Middleweight World Supremacy”

With the “Money Fight” between Mayweather and McGregor now successfully completed it is now time to navigate our attention to the “Countdown” to possibly one of the biggest Middleweight Division battle in History to date. REAL TALK! Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 Kos) will attempt to dethrone WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO undefeated Middleweight Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (37-0, 33Kos).

Some fights are left to “marinate” for too long and end up missing the mark. This fight has had 2 years of “hype” built up behind it and personally as a boxing fan I felt this challenge would never take place.

Expectation is running high for both fighters. Both clearly think and believe that this bout will most likely end by way of knock out. Now let’s keep in mind that Canelo is taking part in his first full Middleweight limit of 160-pounds while Golovkin has been vacationing there from the jump. The Middleweight Division belongs to him; he’s at top of the food chain. Now with that being said, the odd makers have Golovkin as a slight favorite against Canelo, who happens to be eight years younger than him.

To me I see this battle of the “Middleweight Supremacy” as being a tough 50/50 fight. Neither Golovkin nor Alvarez has been knocked down as a pro to date but come Saturday September 16, 2017 in Las Vegas this will most likely change. REAL TALK!

With so much at stake for both fighters, neither can afford to slip up or come in unprepared. Both fighters are strong and aggressive with very good boxing IQ. The experience is there but who will crumble when the going gets tough and there’s nowhere to hide in that squared circle but to duke it out?

There is no shortage of confidence on either side. Golovkin is claiming “Big Drama Show” while Canelo is looking to silence and shock all doubters’ on September 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on HBO pay-per-view. So many questions to be answered but who will step up their “Game” and move on to a superior level at the end of the night? Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Julius Indongo”

Junior Welterweight Supremacy

There is a very important match up taking place Saturday August 19, 2017, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, that has been flying under the radar due to the “Super Fight” between Mayweather/McGregor garnishing so much attention this Month.

Terence “Bud” Crawford (31-0, 22 Kos) WBO, WBC World Super Lightweight Champion and Julius “The Blue Machine” Indongo (22-0, 11 Kos) WBA, IBF World Super Lightweight Champion are set to unify the Lightweight Division and establish whom between them will be truly “Undisputed King” at 140 lbs. REAL TALK!

Holding all 4 Belts from each Major Sanctioning Bodies is something that has been lacking in this day and age due to various reasons; sanctioning fees, different networks, different promotional teams, disagreement over purse bids or simply afraid of some really good competition. REAL TALK!

With that being said I can’t wait to witness these two fearless Undefeated Light Welterweight Champions go at it on this Historical night. It has been 12 years since an Undisputed Champion has held all 4 Belts in any Division. REAL TALK!

Crawford will have hometown advantage but Indongo has been known to upset the home fighters since two of his belts have been won in a convincing fashion as the visiting challenger.

The odd makers have Crawford as the favorite and rightfully so. Crawford is a “beast” in that ring and he handles his business like the Champ that he is. His skills set are exceptional. The Kid got the goods for sure.

As for Indongo he is the lessor known assassin of the two but definitely not one to be taking lightly, ask his two last highly ranked opponents Edward Troyanovsky previously unbeaten until he ran into Julius and snatched his IBF Title from him and Ricky Burns whom he beat for his WBA Belt both while being on the road. The Man went from a little known fringe contender to top of the food Chain. REAL TALK!

Some people in the Boxing Community are calling this fight a mismatch, but me personally I think that styles make fights; I’m anticipating this unification fight to be an exciting one considering how skillful and precise each opponent is. Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Ward vs Kovalev Take 2”

Last November 2016, the two Pound-For-Pound undefeated fighters took centre stage and battled it out for the full 12 rounds. On the line were the WBO, WBA and IBF Titles. The winner by unanimous decision and New Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, Andre S.O.G. Ward. All three Judges scored the fight 114-113 for Andre Ward. This was a 50/50 fight right off the jump. The “Hype” behind the first fight was must see TV. Real Talk!

The haters can say whatever they want but real is real. Ward came from behind a knockdown in the second round and fought his way back into the game in a strategic way. Since the previous fight was such a close one a rematch is the only way to appease the naysayers and truly find out who the true Light Heavyweight Pound-For-Pound Man in the Game is without any more uncertainty in any bodies mind out there. For Kovalev this rematch is more of a “revenge” fight for him. An opportunity to destroy Ward and recapture the Belts that he believes were stolen from him.

As for Ward he deems the right Man won that night and in this rematch he plans on completing the task at hand in a far more convincing fashion and retaining the WBO, WBA and IBF Titles with the rightful owner. Tune in this Saturday night June 17, 2017, HBO Boxing pay-per view live from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ward vs Kovalev Take 2, who will triumph has the No. 1 Light Heavyweight Champ of the Division?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Light Heavyweight Champion”

Light Heavyweight Champion

Last Saturday night we saw Sergey “ Krusher” Kovalev get overthrown by the now New IBF/WBA/WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Andre S.O.G. Ward. It was a classic matchup of Puncher vs Boxer, Power vs Supreme defensive skills and Brawn vs Brain. The “Boogieman” of the Light Heavyweight Division finally met his match in Andre Ward.

The two unbeaten boxers put it all on the line last night and gave us a Supreme Chess match to be remembered. With that being said a second go around will most likely be needed to truly identify the No. 1 Pound –For Pound. All three Judges scored the fight 114-113 for Andre Ward. Personally I think it could have definitely been a draw. REAL TALK!

It was that close of a fight. To the boxing world a rematch is the only way to silence the critics who considered this Fight of The Year a controversial one. Skeptics aside we have to congratulate Ward for stepping up to the plate by moving up in Weight Class and delivering Kovalev his first lost by digging deep down within himself and grinding it out and standing his grounds in a highly competitive battle. Regardless of what the cynics have to say Andre S.O.G. Ward will go down as a two Division Champion from the former Undisputed Super Middleweight Division to now Light Heavyweight Champion. An accomplishment well deserved. REAL TALK!

Blaze