On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs Liam Smith”

WBO Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vagas Nevada, Jaime Munguia (30-0, 25 Kos) had himself a successful first defense of his WBO Junior Middleweight Belt against a worthy opponent in Liam Smith (26-2-1,14 Kos).

The young Champion had himself a live body in Liam who definitely didn’t come into town to bow down. Liam tried his best and used his experience to try to amplify Munguia’s lack of defense but found it quite challenging to neutralize Munguia’s none stop aggressive offense in doing so.

The Kid Munguia was just too strong, bigger and much younger to be contained by Liam but real talk, Liam put up a hell of a fight even after being dropped in the six rounds. Liam showed a lot of heart to go along with his strong will to never backing down or giving up at no point in the fight.

Munguia punished Liam from round 2 to 12 to a unanimous decision but it wasn’t an easy task. This was a good test of character for Munguia who hadn’t gone 12 rounds before.

Munguia, 21 years old, is an impressive fighter. He’s still fairly raw but unquestionably made a statement of his own last night. Theirs a new “Kid” in the 154-pound Division ready to stir up the pot. However, I personally wouldn’t go out and call out the other Champions in the Division just yet. Give yourself some time with a few more bouts under your belt. Your future is bright, pace yourself, and keep perfecting your skills cause you’re undeniably a star in the making.

Congratulations on your win Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Oleksandr Usyk vs Murat Gassiev”

The World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Final

Tonight, at the World Boxing Super Series an Undisputed Cruiserweight Unified Champion was crowned at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow.

Oleksandr Usyk (15-0, 11 Kos) Cruiserweight WBC and WBO Champion handed Murat Gassiev (26-1-1NC, 19 Kos) Cruiserweight IBF and WBA Champion, an unbelievable schooling on the highest stage of their career. Real Talk!

Now I personally anticipated this bout to be a hell of a competitive one but to my surprise it was painfully one sided for Usyk who dominated his worthy opponent Murat from round 1 to round 12.

I have to tip my “B” hat to Usyk for displaying the right game plan to a “T” and dismantling his opponent in such fashion. Murat had absolutely no answer to Usyk’s offence and slick movement. I was quite disappointed on how Murat approached this fight. To me he seamed off in some way and not in tuned with what was going on inside that squared circle. Which was quite uncharacteristic of him.

Usyk simply out-boxed, out-skilled and out-performed Murat to a decisive easy victory to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy and becoming the Undisputed WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF Cruiserweight Champion of the World Boxing Super Series. Nuff said.

Congratulations Champ on a job well done.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin”

World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

It’s now official. Unified Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 Kos) will be defending his IBF, IBO, Super WBA and WBO Championship titles against his WBA mandatory Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 kos) on Saturday September 22, 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

The Boxing Community and boxing fans might be disappointed that AJ’s next fight is not with WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder but truth be told the Povetkin bout is still a serious and dangerous one for AJ. Real Talk!

Peeps are looking at Povetkin as an easy mark without knowing the Dude’s pedigree, strength and experience. He is also a decorated Olympic Champion and former WBA “regular” World Heavyweight Champion. He’s easily top 5 in the Heavyweight Division today. In other words Povetkin is a serious threat not to be taken lightly.

As the Unified Heavyweight Champion, AJ is a walking target in the Division. Every bout poses a different challenge. A win against a warrior like Povetkin will certainly enhance his profile inside that squared circle.

Styles make fights and this bout is a true test for AJ to be gauging where he’s at in his career to date.
The stakes are high here for AJ with no room for error or days off. Maintaining the top spot in the Heavyweight Division is pressure within itself.

Now it’s up to AJ to continue his winning ways and prevail come Saturday September 22, 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Manny Pacquiao vs Lucas Matthysse”

WBA Welterweight Fight of Champions

Last night, in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur at the Axiata Arena, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 Kos) in a convincing fashion earned his 60th win by dismantling Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse (39-5, 36 Kos) with a dominant performance.

There was a lot of talk about how old Pacquiao was and what he was attempting to do in challenging a stronger younger opponent in Matthysse but after last night’s performance some naysayers will probably have to reconsider their thoughts on where Pacquiao stands at this later stage in his career to date.

Pacquiao was focused; patient, strong, fast, and determined to put on a good show last night for all his fans. He controlled every round and showed no fear of his worthy opponent. Manny just displayed what he always knew he possessed. There are levels to this boxing sh*t and Matthysse found out the hard way what it meant to step into that squared circle with Manny.

As tough and strong as Matthysse was, I believe, he mentally and physically got broken down, round by round by Pacquiao. Matthysse showed absolutely no punch resistance at all, which to me was very unexpected.

Pacquiao was able to drop Matthysse in the third round, fifth round and finally close out the show with a seventh-round knockout. Nuff said!

With this win Pacquiao became The New WBA “Regular” Welterweight Champion and put the rest of the Welterweight Division on notice once again.

The “Pacman” is not done yet, now who wants next??

Congratulations on your victory Champ!!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Mikey Garcia vs Robert Easter Jr.”

Lightweight Championship Unification

There is another very interesting Championship Unification on the horizon that will be taking place in the 135-pound Division, Saturday, July 28, 2018 live on SHOWTIME from Staples Center in Los Angeles; an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

WBC Lightweight Champ Mikey Garcia (38-0, 30 Kos) and IBF Lightweight Champ Robert Easter Jr. (21-0, 14 Kos) will both be putting up their straps at a chance to becoming Unified Division Champion.

Styles make fights, so I anticipate this bout to be nothing short of pure entertainment at its best. Real Talk. We have here two very hungry undefeated fighters and two of the top guys in the Division, who are both chasing greatness. Two young warriors at their prime willing and ready for a very competitive challenge.

The stakes are high for this bout. Easter’s five-inch height and eight-inch reach advantage could be a determining factor in causing Mikey to have difficulty, but Garcia’s ring generalship and experience could also be a significant factor and problem for Robert to solve.

Both Mikey and Robert have asked for this bout. The time is now. This is the best fighting the best and on July 28, 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, a new Unified Lightweight Champion will be crowned.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jeff Horn vs Terence Crawford”

WBO Welterweight Title

Last night, Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vagas, Terence Crawford’s (33-0, 24Kos) welcoming to the Welterweight Division was a thing of beauty. Terence handed the tuff and rugged WBO Welterweight Champion Jeff Horn (18-1-1 12Kos) his first defeat by systematically breaking him down round by round to a TKO in the ninth round. Unbelievable.

I witnessed a bully in Horn get tamed in a humbled fashion. Horn had absolutely no answer to Crawford’s non-stop pressure attack. He was overwhelmed and manhandled from all angles. Seeing Terence move up from the Light Welterweight Division to the Welterweight Division with such ease is a testament to how great of an athlete he truly is.

Horn was simply outclassed inside that squared circle. The smaller but much more cerebral Crawford was levels skill wise above Horn on that night. Crawford showed Horn and the rest of the Welterweight Division that he’s here now for the takeover and anyone of the other Champions in the Division can get it.

With this statement win Crawford became the latest inductee as a Three-Division Champion. Nuff Said!

If there was any doubt on whether Terence belonged in the 147-pound Division, all got answered last night. Real Talk! There’s a new sheriff in town and he go by the name of Terence “Bud” Crawford the New WBO Welterweight Champion.

The Welterweight Division keeps on getting better and better but peeps need to keep a keen eye on this Kat right here cause he’s definitely going to be a problem to the competition ahead.

Until then, congratulations Champ on your empathic victory. Who’s next?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2018 NBA FINALS CHAMPIONS”

BACK 2 BACK

It was written. The Golden State Warriors, in a blowout road win, completely annihilate The Cleveland Cavaliers by finishing them off in a sweep (4-0) to claim their first Back-To-Back Championship!! With this win Golden State join the Bulls, the Lakers the Celtics as the only NBA franchise to win three or more Championships in a four-year period.

Them Warriors came out with a game plan and executed it to a “T”. Real Talk! The “Hampton’s 5” and company were focus, ready and loaded to hand the Cavs their last game of the 2018 NBA Finals. I gotta tip my “B” hat to Cleveland, “King James” and his Cavaliers gave it a good run throughout the NBA Playoffs and the Finals but this Warriors squad was just too much for any team to handle. Real Talk!

The Warriors came into the Playoffs vulnerable but finished the series and the Finals strong and confident like the Champions they knew they were. There are levels to this sh*t and The Warriors are living proof of that.

Bron Bron put up some crazy MVP numbers over the four games with an average of 34 points, 10, assists and 8.5 rebounds but the 2018 Finals MVP was awarded to Kevin Durant for his Back-to-Back Bill Russell Trophy with an average of 28,8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. He was unquestionably the most consistent player for his team this series.

Personal accolades aside, it takes a serious squad to win an NBA Finals Championship and The Golden State Warriors were just that a cohesive squad with exceptional group of players with one common goal in mind. A Dynasty in the making.

Congratulation Golden State on becoming this Year’s 2018 NBA Champions!! Once again the Larry O’Bryan Trophy will rest in the West.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker”

Heavyweight Collision

I didn’t see this one coming, not anytime soon anyways! It’s now been announced that Dillian Whyte (23-1, 17 Kos) vs Joseph Parker (24-1, 18 kos) will meet in a Heavyweight bout at the O2 Arena in London July 28, 2018, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

I’m surprise that these two agreed to duke it out. Next to both having fought Anthony Joshua and losing, this will be their toughest fight to date and a very good opportunity for the both of them.

Whyte has shown some real steady improvement from bout to bout since his only defeat to AJ. The momentum he’s been carrying so far has been quite impressive. Dillian has definitely showed the rest of the Heavyweight Division that he is not to be taken lightly.

As for Parker, who lost his WBO Belt to AJ last March, a bounce back win here would most likely put him back up in the Heavyweight contention.

This is a dangerous fight for either fighter. Looking at Parker it’s clear that he is the younger, possibly the stronger, faster and definitely the more mobile of the two combatants. That being said, Whyte is the “Body Snatcher” with underrated power to go along with his come forward tactics that usually gets the job done inside that squared circle.

To me this is a risky but most likely very entertaining 50/50 fight. Two top 10 Heavyweights that are hungry, motivated and willing to lay it all on the line. The type of bout that will give the winner major bragging rights along with a major shift in the Heavyweight Division.

No short cuts here, these two combatants are looking for a world title shot by taking the most dangerous fight available. Nuff Said!

Tune in Saturday July 28, 2018 live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About NBA FINALS 2018”

2018 NBA FINALS

The number 2 and the number 4 seed representing their respective coast are set to do battle this Thursday night May 31, 2018.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Reigning Defending Champions Golden State Warriors will once again go head to head against the Cleveland Cavaliers in another dual of the NBA Finals. Both teams needed a game 7 this time around to reach the NBA Finals. King James and his newly revamped squad will be looking for some payback for failing to beat the Warriors last year but this year “Hampton’s 5” (hopefully with a healthy Andre Iguodala) seemed to be clicking at the right time.

Real Talk, I can’t front at the Cavaliers plays to date, LeBron’s got them Boys thinking they’re the sh*t! The squad that he’s rocking with is a challenge within itself. Aside from that Bron Bron has been playing out of his mind to bring this team to the Finals.

That being said the Warriors are chasing history with their own squad too. It’s been a bumpy road compared to their previous Championship run but truth be told them Boys look ready and loaded for the challenge ahead. Them Boys came from being down 3-2 to the Houston Rockets to secure their spot to the NBA Finals.

Injuries played a part on both teams throughout the regular season but still here they are again adding their mark to the history of the NBA Finals in being the only two teams to meet in the Finals four straight times in a row, something like an ever-ending rivalry.

The Warriors are slated as heavy favorites to repeat as the 2018 NBA Champions against the Cleveland Cavaliers but actions speak louder than words, so tune in Thursday night May 31, 2018 and see which team will prevail and get it popping under the bright lights of the NBA Finals.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Adonis Stevenson vs Badou Jack”

WBC Light Heavyweight Championship

Last night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the lucky fans in attendance witnessed a war between Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (29-1-1, 24 Kos) and Badou Jack “The Ripper” (22-1-3, 13 Kos) inside that squared circle. Real Talk!

Throughout a heavy, action-packed, punishing and entertaining bout, our Canadian Champion Adonis retained his WBC Light Heavyweight Belt with the three Judges scoring it a majority draw.

Listen, I gotta tip my “B” hat to Badou Jack for going 12 hard-hitting rounds with the Champ. Real Talk! Badou is a serious threat to anybody inside that squared circle in the Light Heavyweight Division. It’s not just anyone who can walk into that ring and bang with Adonis and although last night was a draw, he gained more fans and respect from this battle. Real Talk!

That being said, I also gotta tip my “B” hat to the Champ for being able to go hard at war with a tough challenger. This Dude is 40-years old and as yet to be dethroned inside that squared circle. He wasn’t able to lay down that powerful dirty deadly left punch knockout but he did administer some heavy lethal body shots to slow down “The Ripper”, just enough to secure that draw in the Judges’ eyes.

Truth be told, both combatants saw themselves as winners last night, hands down. It was definitely a back and forth affair inside that squared circle.
I personally enjoyed the bout and have no complaints on the result but I would definitely petition for a rematch of the two sooner rather than later.

Until then, congratulation to both warriors for giving us fans a hell of a clash.

Blaze