On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders”

Reigning WBO Middleweight Champion

Tonight at London’s Copper Box Arena, Billy Joe Saunders (25-0, 12Kos) successfully retained his WBO Middleweight Title in beating Willie Monroe Jr. (21-3, 6 Kos) with a twelve round unanimous decision. REAL TALK!

Billy looked calm, in control and never looking rattled or bothered by Willie. It was a boxing chess match in winch Billy’s game plan was executed to perfection. I was quite disappointed to see how weak Monroe performed tonight knowing what was at stake if he won. Willie’s offence was stagnating and lackadaisical. As the visiting fighter your game needs to be on point from the “jump”. You can’t afford to sit back and play the waiting game. He may have looked the part tonight but he did not show up to win in that squared circle.

With that being said I have to congratulate Billy Joe Saunders for his convincing win. Billy showed up in shape and performed well for someone who hadn’t fought since December 2016. His improved stamina was very noticeable considering how he competed impressively in every round. With this win I’m eager to see how he follows it up. Will the winner of the Canelo/Golovkin call him out? Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Billy Joe Saunders vs Willie Monroe Jr.”

WBO Middleweight Title Challenge

Once again another important Middleweight fight is flying under the radar due to the Middleweight Supremacy battle between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, which definitely needs some attention.

Billy Joe Saunders (24-0, 12 Kos) will be making his second defense of his WBO Middleweight Championship Title against Willie Monroe Jr. (21-2, 6Kos) on Saturday September 16, 2017 at London’s Copper Box Arena live on BT Sport and Box Nation.

Judging by the change of trainer to Dominic Ingle and the newfound discipline of Billy Joe, I’m starting to think that he’s actually taking this defense seriously. Billy is viewing this defense as a new beginning a renewed focus to actually attempt at unifying the Middleweight Division. In his mind securing a convincing win against Willie Monroe could open up talks between the winner of Canelo/Golovkin.

With that being said Willy Monroe is hoping to disrupt Saunders future plans by attempting to snatch the WBO Middleweight Title from him. The WBO Belt is the last remaining missing piece to the puzzle. The winner between Saunders’ and Monroe Jr. will have a major bargaining piece to bring to the negotiating table. Losing is not an option for either fighter vying for a shot at the “Throne” in the Middleweight Division.

Ultimately the pressure relies on Billy to perform like the Champion that he is proclaiming to be. The last two years for him have not been his greatest considering injuries while also playing the waiting game with the lack of good competition. He’s been talking a lot of trash as of late so its time to back it up.

I personally anticipate for this bout between Saunders/Monroe to be a very competitive. Stamina will play a major part in this one. Both are unique Boxers in their own way. With Billy’s newfound “fountain of youth” on display and Willie’s fired-up hunger to dethrone the Champ in his own house, we can certainly expect an action-packed evening. Your thoughts on this one?

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

WBC “Money Belt”

The WBC has created a special “Money Belt” for “The Fight of The Century” between Mayweather/McGregor. Shit just got REAL. These dudes are actually fighting for a WBC Belt which contains 3,360 diamonds, 600 sapphires, 160 emeralds and approximately 1.5 kilograms of 24-karat gold with crocodile leather . Both names are featured on the Belt but who will be “The Don” to walk away with the “Money Belt” come Saturday night August 26, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas? Tune in!

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 Mayweather vs McGregor”

“The Money Fight”

I never thought this day would actually come to fruition? When talks first started swarming around I thought this was a big joke going around in the Boxing Community but truth be told Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and Conor “The Notorious” McGregor is an official realistic thing. REAL TALK.

Mayweather the undefeated greatest fighter of his generation is putting his legacy all on the line vs Lightweight Champion McGregor in a pure Boxing match.

Judging by the four cities, three countries World Press Tour outcome, Conor’s fans and supporters were out in abundance at every stop they made and definitely had the masses thinking that he would be the favorite to win this “Super Fight”. However, like Floyd said on that stage “the fans can’t fight for you”.

This is a fight between two “warriors” from two completely different disciplines, Boxing and MMA.

On one side McGregor only 29 years old is regarded as one of the best in mixed martial arts. A two Division Champion in the UFC and currently holding their Lightweight Title. He is a stronger, larger, longer limb, taller and will most likely be the heavier fighter between the two come fight night.

Mayweather now 40 years old (but looking 30 years old) will be reentering the ring for the first time since September 2015. When considering all the pros and cons that Conor possesses you have to keep in mind some major factors when talking about Mayweather, A former 5 Division World Champion. The Best Defensive Boxer of All Time! Speed and accuracy are still well intact. Boxing IQ and Ring Generalship cannot be match even at this point in his career. The fact that he’s been doing this for 21 years as a profession at the top level speaks volume when you’re thinking about going against this Man. Undefeated at 49-0.

Listen I respect Conor for the great fighter that he is in his respectable field but thinking you’re going to jump ship and conquer Mayweather at his own game is ludicrous. I have to keep it real though; every fighter has a punchers chance on any given day and I know McGregor is no punk or your average fighter by any means but this ain’t MMA this is strictly Boxing and Mayweather’s code is not that easy to break. 49 (Professional Boxers) have tried and all 49 have failed.

Will “The Notorious One” concede to the Mayweather puzzle or will he be the one to crack the Da Vinci Code and hand Mayweather his first lost? Win or lose McGregor will be part of History along with Mayweather on Saturday August 26, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Mikey Garcia”

WBC Junior Welterweight Diamond Champion

Last night on Showtime Boxing at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, I witness Three-Division World Champion Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30Kos) dismantle with a dominant display of Ring Generalship enactment against Four-Time Division Word Champion Adrien Broner (33-3, 24 Kos). REAL TALK!

I have to tip my “B” hat to your Boy Garcia for proving to me and all the naysayers just how good this Kat can be when the competition gets better and better. I was Speechless to see Garcia handle Broner a very strong opponent, is third loss of his career.

For twelve full rounds of action Garcia did not seem intimated or bothered by anything Broner brought to the table. Garcia had Broner figured out from the “Jump”. To me Broner did not look like a fighter who followed the “Game Plan” of his corner at all. I must admit that the betting circles had it right all along.

The bothersome pattern that Broner is falling into is real right now when faced with top-notch competition. Back in December 2013, Marcos Maidana handed Broner his first Unanimous-Decision defeat and June 2015 Shawn Porter defeated Broner for his second lost now fast forward another 2 years to now and once again Broner loses to a Unanimous-Decision to the Superior Fighter in Mikey Garcia. REAL TALK!

The Judges scored it 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112. For now, the New WBC Diamond Title Junior Welterweight Champion Mikey Garcia. Congratulation Mikey this was by far one of your best performances in that squared circle.

That being said I refused to think that Broner is a done fighter at this point in his career. AB is still young and talented enough to bounce back and make thing right for his career. To me the boy is gifted but definitely needs to reevaluate his approach come next fight. REAL TALK! Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Adrien Broner vs Mikey Garcia

This is a fight in my eyes that should have a little bit more steam behind it. REAL TALK! Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-2, 24 KOs) and Mikey Garcia (36-0, 30 Kos) are both well respected in the boxing world. Both have successful careers to date and both are willing to put it all on the line come Saturday July 29, 2017 on Showtime Boxing at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Garcia the WBC’s Lightweight Champion is moving up to the agreed Junior Welterweight limit of 140 pounds. Broner also a past Champion at the Lightweight Division is moving down from the 147 Welterweight Division to challenge Mikey’s undefeated record at the Junior Welterweight limit, a familiar Division he not too long ago held a belt at. Skills for skills these two match up pretty well. Ring Generalship (check), Boxing IQ (check) Strength/Power (check). To me this is a legitimate 50/50 fight that could go either way. That being said the boxing aficionados, the boxing media, the boxing fans and the betting circles, most seem to consider Broner the underdog in this battle? REAL TALK!

I understand that Broner needs this win more than Garcia at this point in his career, but an underdog? Come on Ref! The stakes are high here for Broner. If Garcia wins or loses, he’s still going to be ok cause he can still go back down to the 135 pound Division and continue defending his WBC Lightweight Championship Belt as if nothing happened.

Now keep in mind Broner has won titles in four different Weight Divisions coming into this fight and Garcia has won in three different Weight Divisions. For people to think that this fight will be a cakewalk for Garcia is ludicrous. Broner has a tough task ahead. He has to come into this bout as the Champion of old in today’s form and prove the haters wrong for doubting your Boy. This will definitely be a defining night for Broner. Now will he talk the talk or concede to your Boy Garcia. Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA Season 2014/2015”

NBA Season 2014/2015

The San Antonio Spurs have officially re-entered The NBA Finals Sweepstakes once again by capturing their 5 NBA Championship in a very convincing manner for year 2014. The newly crowned Defending Champs will have their work cut out for them in this upcoming 2014/2015 NBA Season. Attempting to duplicate last years near-perfect NBA Season will most likely be the motivation needed to maintain focus throughout this year NBA Season.

The task at hand will be a struggle and a challenge within itself considering just how strong the West keeps on elevating year after year. With all the trades and injuries occurring throughout the summer and the preseason, the balance of POWER still resides on the WESTSIDE!! REAL TALK!

Last season 7 teams in the West won 50 or more games then the East who only managed to have 2 teams with 50 or more wins. NUFF SAID! With the relocation of LeBron James BACK to Cleveland, the second comeback of a healthy Derrick Rose, a motivated Carmelo Anthony and the surprising rise of The Washington Wizards, The Charlotte Hornets and our own Canadian Team in The Toronto Raptors, I anticipate this years EASTSIDE’s win ratio PCT to improve dramatically.

The injury bug has already hit quite a few teams from the jump. The affected teams will feel the burn of it but injuries aside this NBA Season 2014/2015 will definitely be an interesting season to keep ours eyes and attention on and see who will benefit from all the Hollywood Shuffle that went on during the summer brake.

Tune in this Tuesday, October 28, 2014 for the beginning of another electrifying NBA Season!!

Blaze