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 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 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 The Heavyweight Division”

The Heavyweight Division is getting some serious attention with a really good look this Fall, if no injuries occur all three Titleholders are booked to return to the ring.

First up is WBO Champion Joseph Parker (23-0 18Kos) who will be defending his title against his mandatory challenger Hughie Fury (20-0 10Kos) this Saturday September 23, 2017 at the Manchester Arena in United Kingdom.

Unified World Titleholder IBO/WBA/IBF Anthony Joshua (19-0 19Kos) will be defending his titles against the mandatory challenger under the IBF, Kubrat Pulev (25-1 13Kos) October 28, 2017 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

WBC Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (38-0, 37Kos) will be facing the unbeaten “Boogieman” of the Division Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (27-0, 23 Kos) on Saturday November 4, 2017 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York.

The “Top Dog” in the Heavyweight Division hands down is your Boy Anthony Joshua since he is holding three of the five belts in the Division and defeated Future Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko. Something any of the other current Titleholders don’t have on their Resume.

That being said out of the three upcoming Heavyweight defenses, I’m very intrigue to see how the Wilder/Ortiz on November 4, 2017 plays out. In my eyes belt or no belt the Number 2 spot in the Heavyweight Division lays between them two. However, if you were to ask either of them they will tell you that they are the No. 1 Dude in the Division. The hype is real when you mention them two Kats. Both carry a lot of power in that ring. Ortiz’s amateur career is impressive. He has seen a lot and done a lot. As for Deontay he came in the game a little later but still managed to win a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics representing the USA as an amateur.

This is a critical fight for both men, as the winner will definitely change the landscape of the Heavyweight Division and position themselves to a unification fight with either remaining Champions. This is a 50/50 fight where youth vs experience will be crucial to a victory aside from the power of course. Your Thoughts on this one?

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 Terence Crawford”

The New Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion

Listen, I have to tip my “B” hat to your Boy Terence “Bud” Crawford for the hell of an exceptional performance in that squared circle Saturday night August 19, 2017, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Crawford (32-0, 23Kos) shattered previously undefeated WBA and IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Julius Indongo (22-1, 11Kos) in just three amazing rounds. He was cool collective, and powerful in dismantling his worthy opponent. He showed no sign of fear at any time. To be honest I expected Julius to put up a more competitive and challenging fight but when your opponent is as determent as Terence was that night the unavoidable was bound to happen.

His greatness can no longer be denied. “Bud” ran through the 140-pound Division like a “Man” on a mission to now becoming the New Undisputed WBO, WBC, WBA and IBF Junior Welterweight Champion of the world. REAL TALK!

His stock has risen now and his name will forever be in the “History Books” as one of the very few to complete this accomplishment of being “Undisputed” in this day and age. Congratulation Terence you showed the Boxing World and every naysayer out there just how great of a Champion you truly are. You ducked know won on your way up to “Supremacy” status of this Division.

You are unquestionably in “The Pound-for-Pound” conversation after this astonishing win! 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

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

Kovalev vs Ward

Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward, two of the top Pound-For-Pound fighters in the sport, are set to meet November 19, 2016 on HBO pay-per-view at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. At stake are Sergey Kovalev’s IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight Titles. There have been lots of talk going around the Boxing World as who is deserving of the Pound-for-Pound Crown since Mayweather departed on top. REAL TALK!

The Pound-For Pound King as of today is definitely a debatable question at this stage considering who has looked the most dominant in the game. Now if you’re one to look at the different Pound-For-Pound lists out there you can clearly see that it’s a difference of opinion at who is truly deserving. One thing you will notice though is that Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward or both mentioned on any list out there. Both are unbeaten and Andre Ward (30-0,15 KOs) is coming up from the Middleweight Division to Light Heavyweight while Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) is a natural boxer at this level.

To me Andre Ward moving up in weight is an exclamation mark and a statement of just how much he is daring to be great at attempting to be the undisputed best in the Game. That being said this fight still stands as a 50/50 bout. REAL TALK!

Sergey Kovalev is well known and proven as the pulverizing puncher aka the “Krusher” the knockout artist who can definitely hold his own as a boxer type fighter if need be. Andre Ward S.O.G. is an old school throwback type fighter a master of defense the more cerebral type assassin of the two with an exceptional Boxing IQ. Truth be told both of these Dudes are bad asses when they step into that ring circle. REAL TALK!

On Saturday, November 19, 2016, only one of them will remain undefeated and possibly be Crowned one of the world’s best Pound-For-Pound boxer. Neither man has faced an opponent like this before. The “Hype” and “Anticipation” surrounding this fight is “REAL” and the “HEAT” is on so tune in and witness history in the making.

Blaze