On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?

The NBA Who’s On Top?

We have officially passed the midpoint mark for the NBA Season with 42 plus games played to date and the Defending Champions Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) have yet to relinquish their No. 1 Spot. They continue to oversee the entire league looking as focused as ever and determined to hold on to their crown by any means necessary.  Breathing closely down their necks are the San Antonio Spurs (30-13) steady pacing themselves and proving to be live contenders ready for the challenge when push comes to shove. The Denver Nuggets (29-14) are already a proven squad, so they are always in the mix regardless of their standing. The intriguing question in the Western Conference right now is who’s next on the come up between the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-16), the Houston Rockets (25-15), the Los Angeles Lakers (25-16), the Phoenix Suns (26-17) and the Golden State Warriors (25-19)?

On the Eastern Conference side, the Detroit Pistons (31-10) are passing the eye test by holding down their No. 1 Spot while still looking like the old school Pistons and steadily improving game by game. The Boston Celtics (26-16) have picked up some steam and put some games together to move up the standings while the New York Knicks (25-18) have had a harder time holding down their spot after winning the Emirates NBA Cup. Our own Canadian team the Toronto Raptors (25-19) have been impressively competitive night in and night out and could easily move up the standings if they could get a good run going. Vying to stay in the mix are the Philadelphia 76ers (23-18), the Orlando Magic (23-19), the Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20) and the Miami Heat (22-21) but things could look different as the season progresses.

That being said, stay locked in for a competitive second half of the season.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Subriel Matias vs Dalton Smith”

WBC Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Fresh Productions Main Event at the Barclays Center between the so-called boogeyman WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Subriel Matias (23-3, 22 Kos) and undefeated challenger Dalton Smith (19-0, 14 Kos) surpassed my expectations by the way Dalton announced himself to the Junior Welterweight Division. Real Talk!

Dalton, in his first world title opportunity, came in from the United Kingdom with a driven challenger’s mentality determined to get the job done by any means necessary. Dalton who is primely known as a boxer puncher, asserted himself from the jump and pressed the action with a very efficient jab showing Subriel that he carried power as well.

That approach prompted Subriel, who is usually a slow starter to press the action with his own seek and destroy tactics that made this bout that much more intriguing and crowd pleasing as it unfolded.

Personally, I thought this approach by Dalton to fight toe-to-toe with Subriel was the wrong way to go considering that style of fighting suited Subriel better but to my surprise Dalton stood his ground and dished out just as much abuse as he was taking in. Visibly, Subriel’s punches looked more damaging but his lack of defense cost him to take some heat as Dalton was able to land with power as well.

In round five, both combatants continued their toe-to-toe slugfest landing heavy shots after heavy shots but it was Dalton who pierced Subriel’s armour first with a deadly well-placed overhand right that dropped him for the count. Subriel quickly got up on weak legs looking badly hurt

which prompted the referee to stop the bout.

This was a very impressive showing by Dalton who walked in this bout as the underdog and is now crowned the new WBC Junior Welterweight Champion of the World. As of today, the United Kingdom now has five active male Champions.

Fabio Wardley -WBO Heavyweight Champion

Lewis Crocker -IBF Welterweight Champion

Dalton Smith -WBC Junior Welterweight Champion

Jazza Dickens -Junior Lightweight Champion

Nick Ball WBA -Featherweight Champion

Congratulations Dalton!  As Champion you are now the new kid on the block so make your presence felt.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez”

WBA/WBO Featherweight Title Defence

Last night’s MVP Promotions/DAZN Main Event at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, between WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano (48-4-1, 31 Kos) and late replacement, undefeated challenger Reina Tellez (13-1-1, 5 Kos), gave the Puerto Rican fans in attendance a very entertaining bout on Saturday night. Real Talk!

Reina knew exactly who she was up against inside that squared circle so she made sure she brought her “A” game and that “HEAT” straight to Amanda. Reina was impressive, tough, strong and proved to be very durable warrior.

That being said, Serrano is a living legend and “The Real Deal” inside that squared circle and being back at her natural weight Division meant she was back to her old self. Amanda handled Reina’s pressure like she did all her previous foes. Amanda pressed the action with her high-volume punch output going from head to body with a very accurate jab that was backed with power and definitely made her presence felt in every round of this bout.  

Reina stood her ground and fought toe-to-toe with the Champ and landed some pretty good shots and definitely had some moments, but the pace and the experience that Amanda has was quite visible as the rounds progressed.  Amanda showed levels above Reina in the later rounds by being the aggressor and landing the more telling punches and combinations.

It was a very competitive bout for both combatants but after 10 full three-minute rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 98-92, 97-93 and 97-93 unanimously for Amanda Serrano.

With this win, Amanda retained her WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Featherweight Titles and secured a successful defense in her home town of Puerto Rico.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?

The NBA Who’s On Top?

We are officially at the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and with the flourishing completion of the third edition of the NBA In-Season Tournament dubbed the Emirates NBA Cup, the changing of the guards is looking quite interesting within the early standings keeping the viewership locked in.

The NBA In-Season Tournament has been successful in keeping the players engaged, competitive and absolutely motivated to reach the final destination in Las Vegas. This year, the two unexpected teams to represent their respective coasts for this In-Season Tournament were none other than the No. 2 Seed the New York Knicks (18-7) and the No. 4 Seed the San Antonio Spurs (18-7). Staged on a neutral floor, both teams balled out furiously like it was the NBA Finals bringing life to the game from start to finish. Both teams were hot from the jump and competed at both ends of the floor for every minute of the first three quarters of the games, but it’s in the fourth quarter where the Knicks separated themselves by closing out the quarter strongly with a balanced effort from the entire team and from their leader Jalen Brunson who dropped 25 points, 8 dimes and 4 boards to help defeat a tough squad in the Spurs and claimed his first NBA Cup MVP Award.

All the players and coaches on the New York Knicks will receive $530,933 each and as the runners-up, the San Antonio Spurs will receive $212,373 each. Well done!

In-Season Tournament aside, the championship game will not count for either team’s regular season record, unlike every other game played in the event.

That being said, the true team holding down the No. 1 Spot are the Defending Champions the Oklahoma City Thunder (24-2). Them Boys are still riding high off their championship run and are balling on a different level.  They are looking stronger game by game and conducting themselves like true champions looking to go back-to-back.

The Denver Nuggets (19-6) are steadily pacing themselves in the competitive Western Conference proving to be worthy even with injuries to key players. With Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they will be always be the game. That said, between the Los Angeles Lakers (18-7), the San Antonio Spurs (18-7) the Houston Rockets (16-7), the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9), all are all playing musical chairs in the early stages of the season with the Phoenix Suns (14-12), the Golden State Warriors vying desperately to stay in the race.

The Detroit Pistons (21-5) are out the gate with their best start in the last 20 years. Their defense is looking tight like the old school Pistons and their young balance squad are balling on a contender level. Game by game these Boys are looking like the truth. The New York Knicks (18-7), fresh off winning the Emirates NBA Cup are looking dangerously improved and well balanced for the long haul and ready to keep the momentum going. As for the Toronto Raptors (16-11), the Boston Celtics (15-11), the Orlando Magic (15-11), the Philadelphia 76ers (14-11), the Cleveland Cavaliers (15-12), the Atlanta Hawks (15-12) and the Miami Heat (14-12), all are a few games apart from each other and all have been competitive with one another as well.  That being said, we are still in the early stages of the season and positioning is crucial where every game is meaningful so stay locked in as the season progresses.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson”

WBO Junior Welterweight Challenge

A very intriguing matchup in the Junior Welterweight Division has officially been announced concerning the WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 Kos) and WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 Kos), who will be moving up in weight for this challenge to the 140-Pound Division on the Ring VI card as the Main Event on Saturday January 31, 2026, in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Both combatants consider themselves elite warriors who are at their utmost prime of their respective careers, willing to lay it all on the line to determine who truly is the best of the best. Skill for skill, both combatants have the goods to cancel each other out, but trash talk aside they will have to settle their differences inside that squared circle.

As of right now, the odd makers don’t see this bout as a 50/50 and favor Shakur the defensive genius to upset the Champion. As much as Teofimo relishes the thought of being the underdog, he will have to execute a flawless “game plan” and be focussed from start to finish to defeat Shakur because one slip up in this bout could cost him dearly.

I have no doubt Shakur will be properly prepared to deal with Teofimo’s style, but it will be interesting to see just how well prepared Teofimo is to deal with this defensive wizard of an opponent on fight night. Style wise Shakur is all wrong for Teofimo but he’s been tested before and prevailed when counted out.

Tune in Saturday night January 31, 2026, live on DAZN from Madison Square Garden in New York City and witness this electrifying Championship bout unfold.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach Jr.”

Interim WBC Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s PBC/Prime Video Pay-Per-View Main Event between Interim WBC Junior Welterweight Champion Isaac “PitBull” Cruz (28-3-2, 18 Kos) and challenger Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr. (25-1-3, 10 Kos) who was moving up in weight to yet another Division, surpassed my expectations. However, the fight still managed to end in a controversial way at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Isaac came out the gate in his usual “Pitbull” fashion ready to take out his prey with some heavy blows coming from all angles. His steady aggressive style of approach was expected and even managed to connect with a knock down due to Lamont’s glove touching the canvas in round three but what transpired after that is what changed the outcome of the fight.

After round three, Lamont flipped his “game plan” up and started fighting Isaac in the pocket going toe-to-toe and asserting himself in a very foolish but impressive way where his respect had to be earned. That approach caused Isaac to retreat and lower his punch output as Lamont started to build up his momentum with his own punch output coming at Isaac disrupting him from coming forward.

Isaac’s seek and destroy ways were being outmaneuvered by the way Lamont was boxing and moving and asserting himself, when need be, just enough to keep Isaac from bullying him as the rounds progressed.

The adjustments that Lamont made round by round were quite visible and effective in his favor. Lamont had literally put a leash on the “Pitbull” and controlled the action inside that squared circle.

That being said, the Judges who had the last say at the completion of this bout scored it 115-111 for Isaac Cruz but vetoed by the other two Judges who scored it 113-113, resulting it in a majority draw. Unbelievable!

I will admit that this bout was definitely a close one but judging by the punch output and the body of work that Lamont poured out in this fight overall, it should have been a clear-cut win for “The Reaper” hands down!

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and last night Lamont showed us once again that his skill set is real while moving up in weight and for that I tip my “B” hat to Lamont. Win, lose or draw this kid brings it every time out.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Stephen Fulton vs O’Shaquie Foster”

Interim WBC Lightweight Challenge

Last night’s PBC/Prime Video Pay-Per-View co Main Event between WBC Super Featherweight Champion O’Shaquie Foster (24-3, 12 Kos) and challenger, former two Division Champion Stephen Fulton (23-2, 8 Kos), was supposed to be contested at the Super Featherweight Division but due to Stephen blowing the contractual weight limit by 2 pounds the bout got moved up to the Lightweight Division in order to maintain it on the card at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

It was very unprofessional of Stephen for blowing the weight after talking all that sh*t to the build-up of the fight. A lesson had to be given for the disrespect and O’Shaquie did just that by unleashing a one-sided beatdown that was well deserved.

O’Shaquie wasted no time at the first bell and started drilling in his stiff and accurate jab that couldn’t miss all night. O’Shaquie pressed the action using his size and his length walking down Stephen, who had absolutely no proper “game plan” at deterring O’Shaquie from having his way with him round by round.

O’Shaquie’s reach and power punches coming from all angles had Stephen bewildered and clueless all night. Stephen looked disengaged and inattentive to his corner man who was trying desperately to encourage him to let his hands go and fight back.

As the rounds progressed it was clear that Stephen was mentally and physically defeated. After 12 rounds of one-sided action the Judges at hand scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111 unanimously for O’Shaquie Foster.

With this impressive and dominant win, O’Shaquie is now the new Interim WBC Lightweight Champion and is still WBC Super Featherweight Champion, giving him the option in the coming days to decide whether to stay at the 135-Pound Division and challenge to upgrade his interim title by taking on the full WBC Champion Shakur Stevenson or returning to the 130-Pound Division to continue defending his title.

Until then, congratulations O’Shaquie on a great performance!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde”

WBC Light Heavyweight Showdown

The Main Event at “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” between WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David Benavidez (31-0, 25 Kos) and challenger Anthony Yarde (27-4, 24 Kos) did not disappoint as this was another showcase type of a fight for “The Monster Bandera Roja” at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Real Talk!

Yarde came in this bout looking fit and strong as usual and beaming with confidence but lacked the proper “game plan” to derail the “The Mexican Monster” from having his way with it. Yarde found out first hand what the moniker “The Mexican Monster” really means.

Being under pressure with an aggressive combatant under the bright lights, has a way of making you rethink your approach and that is exactly what happened when things got heavy in there with Yarde.

Going toe-to-toe with “The Mexican Monster” while not being properly prepared is a death trap which suits David perfectly fine since he usually thrives on his opponent’s aggression. Yarde stood his ground and tried to bang as best he could but eventually crumbled in round seven to a standing 8 count and a two-point deduction for David for hitting Yarde after his knee touched the canvas.  That being said, the inevitable was near, Yarde got up but continued receiving an onslaught of unanswered shots and looked visibly shook prompting the referee to jump in and stop the bout.

There are levels to this boing sh*t and in Yarde’s third attempt at a title he found out the hard way where he stands in the hierarchy of the Light Heavyweight Division.

With this win David retained his WBC Light Heavyweight Championship and continues his winning streak, anticipating his next challenge.   

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 Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs Fernando Martinez”

WBA/WBC/WBO Junior Bantamweight Unification Showdown

The second fight on “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” was another continuation of the “Bam Rodriguez Show” when WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Bantamweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (23-0, 16 Kos) completely dominated WBA World Junior Bantamweight Champion Fernando “Pumita” Martinez (18-1, 9 Kos) at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Martinez, a Champion himself, talked a good game during the build-up to this bout but the one who kept it true was Rodriguez who came into this bout laser-focused and on point as usual. Like I said before “Bam” is ahead of his time with his skill set is levels above his competition every time he enters that squared circle.

Martinez had absolutely no proper “game plan” to contest with “Bam” who completely dominated him and made it look effortless. It was like watching a sparring session where “Bam” toyed with his opponent and eventually sat him down for the count with a vicious left hand to end the night.  

With this convincing win now under his belt, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez snatched the WBA World Title from Martinez and added it to his WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship Titles, leaving the last remaining piece to the puzzle for him to retrieve: the IBF World Junior Bantamweight Title held by Champion Willibaldo Garcia Perez (23-6, 13 Kos).

The road to Undisputed is getting closer and closer.

Well done, Champ!

Blaze