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

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between WBO Welterweight Champion Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 Kos) and challenger Mikaela Mayer (20-2, 5 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The animosity towards one another was quite evident towards the build up to this bout and when the first bell went off both worriers went straight to work with no hesitation. Sandy came out the gate with a strong jab but was met with some very busy hands by Mikaela who was countering every shot with speed.

Sandy definitely brought the pressure but the activity and the punch output coming back from Mikaela made things quite interesting as the rounds progressed. The power punches coming in by Sandy were quite evident whenever she landed but Mikaela showed grit and toughness standing her ground at every corner.

Both combatants had their moments as the round progressed but it was Mikaela who might have benefited from the first half of the fight by being exceptionally more active with her hands while Sandy needed to raise the “HEAT” in the second half of the bout to keep things close.

Both girls brought it in the later rounds going toe-to-toe and dishing out some serious leather from both sides but Mikaela’s experience at this stage in her career may have been key to this bout.

After 10 rounds of nonstop action the Judges at hand called it 95-95, 96-94 and 97-93, giving the majority decision to Mikaela Mayer.

I personally thought this was a very competitive bout that could have easily gone either way but on this night, a new Champion was crowned giving Mikaela a world title in her second Weight Division and the New WBO Welterweight Champion.

Well done, Mikaela.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs David Avanesyan”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s BLK Prime Main Event between WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (39-0, 30 Kos) and challenger David Avanesyan (29-4-1, 17 Kos) was an event that Terence’s home-grown fans in attendance fairly enjoyed at the CHI Health Center.

The night in particular was an exciting event leading up to the showdown that Terence closed out in emphaptic fashion. I witnessed a man who hadn’t fought in over 13 months showing no rust whatsoever when he systematically broke down his opponent round by round, never looking rattled or bothered by Avanesyan’s aggression at times.

Terence was cool and calm and in control, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to close it out at his own will. As much as Avanesyan tried to deter Terence by landing a few good shots, none of them affected “Bud” inside that squared circle. No disrespect to Avanesyan who is a tough competitor and fresh off six straight knockout wins, but when faced with an elite combatant in Crawford, David was levels below the reach.

That said, when “Bud” was done toying with Avanesyan he shut the whole show down in a dramatic fashion with a well-placed left uppercut-right hook combination that sat Avanesyan down for the count in the 6th round forcing the referee to call an end to the bout.

With this resounding win Terence has now defended his WBO Welterweight Championship Belt for the sixth time and recorded his 10th straight knockout. Pound-for-Pound one of the best to ever do it inside that squared circle, Hands Down!

Congratulations Terence, you did your city proud on this one.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Top Rank Main Event between WBO Champion Terence Crawford (38-0, 29 Kos) and Shawn Porter (31-4-1, 17 Kos) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena, was a statement-type performance by the Champion that definitely lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

Everybody in the building knew what Porter was going to bring inside that squared circle but nobody knew how Crawford was going to deal with it. Porter brought the heat straight from round one and on and didn’t stop applying pressure making it a real fight. The “game plan” looked simple on Porter’s side but he wasn’t dealing with an average-type of fighter in Crawford.

The key for Crawford was to not get caught up in Porter’s “game plan” but to settle down and execute his own by being patient and sticking to his exceptional boxing skills. He could not get caught stuck exchanging leather for leather letting himself open at times giving unnecessary opportunities which he did, giving Porter successful rounds.

The back and forth both combatants were dishing out was exciting and definitely crowd pleasing to the fans in attendance.

That said, as the rounds were piling up, I could sense Crawford needed to do something spectacular to slow down the momentum Porter had going for himself at that point. Crawford needed to remind the Boxing World why he was on the Pound-for-Pound list.

In the 10th round, Crawford caught Porter with a well-placed short left to the dome that sat him down for a quick 8 count. Porter, who looked surprised, bounced right back up on his feet but the inevitable was looming over Porter’s head. Porter proceeded to go at Crawford with aggression only to be met with a heavy two-piece combo that severely rocked a still concussed and frustrated Porter to the floor for second time. Although Porter managed to beat the 10 count, Shawn’s Dad, Kenny Porter had seen enough and waved the referee to stop the bout. Just like that Crawford put an end to “Showtime” Shawn Porter by TKO in the 10th round.

This was the type of a performance that Terence needed to silence all the naysayers that doubted his greatness inside that squared circle. Porter brought the “heat” and asserted himself quite well but Terence showed to have the equalizer to shut the show down.

This was by far the most noteworthy and hardest combatant to date in Terence’s career and he prevailed in an impressive fashion.

Congratulations Terence on retaining your WBO Welterweight Championship. You truly are one of the Pound-for-Pound greats in the game today.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Egidijus Kavaliauskas”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night, WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (36-0, 26 Kos) successfully retained his WBO Welterweight Championship Belt by defeating Egidijus Kavaliauskas (21-1-1, 17 Kos) at Madison Square Garden In New York City.

The “Mean Machine” came out of the gate with some heavy hands that connected early on Crawford. The “game plan” that Kavaliauskas’ corner came up with looked really good up until the second half of the bout.

Round 7 is where Crawford started to show why there are levels to this boxing sh*t. Terence started pressuring Kavaliauskas with some heavy combinations that eventually put him down for an 8 count. The overwhelming pressure that Crawford was administering continued all the way to the 9th round. Without any resistance from Kavaliauskas, Crawford proceeded to drop him two more times in round 9. The overpowering assault coming at Kavaliauskas prompted the referee to stop the bout. He had seen enough.

I gotta tip my “B” hat to the “Mean Machine”. Dude came out to fight and did the best he could against one of the best Pound-for Pound fighters in the game today. He fought Crawford blow for blow but eventually crumbled when he couldn’t keep up with the pace. That being said Crawford is the real deal inside that squared circle, one that is definitely not to be taken lightly by anyone signing up for the task.

Good luck to the competition.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Amir Khan”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden in New York City was a disappointing one: and not because of Terence Crawford (35-0, 26 Kos), but because of his opponent for the night Amir Khan (33-5, 20 Kos).

Khan talked that talk but definitely didn’t back it up inside that squared circle. Khan came out the gate aggressive and fast but got caught nice and early in the first round and went down for an 8 count. From this point on it was clear that Khan was no match for Crawford.

As the bout wore on Khan was getting touched and broken down round by round. Khan looked weak and uncertain about how to proceed with the “Game Plan”. Crawford was having his way inside that squared circle and was boxing circles around Khan making him look out of place at times.

The “End Game” was bound to come but due to an accidental low blow to Khan, his corner informed the referee that he wouldn’t be able to continue. Just like that, the fight was over and Crawford retained his WBO Welterweight Belt by TKO in round six.

I personally expected a better effort from Khan but regardless of last night’s outcome, the end result would have been the same with Terence getting his hand raised when it’s all said and done.

Congratulations Champ now on to the next!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Terence Crawford vs Amir Khan”

WBO Welterweight Challenge

It has officially been confirmed today that Terence Crawford (34-0, 25 Kos) will be defending his WBO Welterweight Title against Amir Khan (33-4, 20 Kos) Saturday night April 20, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City or at one of the MGM Resorts’ International arenas in Las Vegas.

This is an intriguing bout with the possibility of being a great one depending on which Amir Khan shows up that night. If the explosive, fast handed slick fighter makes an appearance, we might just have a good match up. However, if Khan shows up with that weak performance like his last time out then your “Boy” might be in for a quick night? Real Talk!

Khan has been searching for that legacy fight and now his call has been answered. Crawford is rated as one of the top Pound-for-Pound boxers in the game, so you know he’ll be looking for that work when he steps into that squared circle with Khan. If Khan were to pull off an upset win here, this would lead to further lucrative bouts amongst the top-heavy hitters in the Welterweight Division.

As for Crawford, a win here won’t do much to enhance his status but add another marquee name to his unblemished record. Real Talk! Crawford is seen by many as the favourite while Khan is seen as the underdog.

However, Crawford does need a dominant performance to entice the other Champions in the Welterweight Division. For some odd reason the other Welterweight Champions refuse to acknowledge the fact that Terence is a major player in the 147-pound Division.

Khan strongly believes that he’s still top 10 in the Welterweight Division. With an opportunity to win a world title he could easily climb back up top of the 147-pound Division and silence the naysayers who doubt he’s still got it.

Nevertheless, Crawford is up for the challenge and about that business inside that squared circle. I just hope that Khan comes with it and doesn’t disappoint because this could possibly be his last chance at a World Title.

Now let’s see it!

Blaze