On the Watch “It’s All About Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez”

Light Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s British domestic Boxxer/Sky Sports Main Event between Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 Kos) and British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 Kos) was an interesting bout that had the attention of all the fans in attendance at the OVO Arena in London, England.

Both combatants came out with a very good “game plan” that had both opponents exchanging blows back and forth round-by-round while holding their respective ground inside that squared circle.

Although both combatants each had their moments inside that squared circle, Buatsi, to me had the more telling type punches with the speed and accuracy giving him the edge as the rounds were piling up.

Buatsi’s level of experience was quite evident between the two combatants. Buatsi stayed level-headed and continued with the “game plan” as instructed by his cornerman unlike Azeez who was unable to deliver the bodywork his corner was requesting of him.

Both combatants did throw nuff hard leather shots at each other in the later rounds but it was Buatsi’s power punch that eventually got through and dropped Azeez twice in the eleventh round for two quick 8 counts. Water on the floor may have played a part in the knockdowns but nevertheless both were counted in Buatsi’s favor.

That being said, both combatants finished the last round strongly going toe-to-toe and bringing the crowd in attendance to their feet. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 117-109, 117-109 and 116-110 unanimously for Joshua Buatsi.

It was a very good domestic bout, one that the winner can definitely build onto bigger and better things. With this win Buatsi picked up the British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Championship belts and secured himself a mandatory position to challenge undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 Kos) for his title.

Only time will tell if this opportunity will be granted sooner rather than later.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Jaime Munguia vs John Ryder”

Super Middleweight Showdown

Last night’s Golden Boy/DAZN Main Event between Jaime Munguia (43-0, 34 Kos) and John Ryder (32-7, 18 Kos) was an impressive showing by Munguia who brought the house to its feet the way he handled Ryder inside that squared circle at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

It was quite evident that pairing up with new head trainer Freddie Roach was the right move to make at this point in Munguia’s career. Jaime showed much improvement with his patience and punch accuracy under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.

Munguia looked comfortable and in control inside that squared circle. With his pressure style and sharp timing on point he was able to catch Ryder with a right hand and dropped him for a quick standing 8 count in the second round. Ryder showed his usual resilience and fought back going toe to toe but succumbed once again by being dropped in the fourth round by a short well placed left hand to the dome for another standing 8 count.

John continued to put his best foot forward as the rounds progressed by showing his heart and willingness to throwdown but with very minimal success, this version of Munguia was mounting to be too much to handle inside that squared circle.

Munguia was surprisingly more defensively minded then usual and very sharp, strong and accurate causing havoc to his opponent all night. The inevitable was near and by the ninth round the heavy onslaught that Jaime came with was simply too demolishing to withstand causing Ryder to breakdown and meet the canvas twice in the round looking beaten on all angles prompting his corner to halt the bout. Ryder got up every time but the right call was made to save this “Gorilla” from further punishment.

This was a very impressive showing by Munguia, the type of showing that could possibly get the attention of the “Kingpin” Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 Kos).

Well done, Jaime, I hope your call out to the Champ gets answered.

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer”

IBF Welterweight Challenge

Tonight’s Boxxer/Sky Sports/ESPN + Main Event between IBF Welterweight Champion Natasha Jonas (15-2-1, 9 Kos) and challenger Mikaela Mayer (19-2, 5 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

Both combatants brought the “HEAT” straight from the first bell and never letting their feet of the gas pedal. Heavy bombs coming at each other from both sides round by round with neither combatant giving an inch of breathing room.

Natasha, the Champion and the natural welterweight, found herself in a serious shootout with Mikaela who moved up to the Welterweight Division ready and willing to dethrone the Champion with a steady pace of aggressive offence proving to be effective as the rounds progressed.

Both combatants stood their ground hammering some serious shots from body to head making this bout that much more exciting for the fans and for the judges to call.

Although both combatants were going toe to toe inside that squared circle, I personally feel that Mikaela was the one edging out the better imposing work rate and administering the most visible damage.

That being said, after 10 exciting action-packed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 96-95, 96-94 for Jonas and 97-93 for Mayer, giving Natasha Jonas the spilt decision.

It was a very close fight to call where I could definitely see Mikaela walking away with the win but nevertheless Natasha retained her IBF Welterweight Belt and recorded a great victory over an elite warrior.

Well done!

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou”

Heavyweight Showdown

It has been officially announced! The former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou (0-1) will be getting another golden opportunity at derailing yet another highly ranked opponent in former Two-Time Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 Kos) from continuing his mission at regaining the Championship Titles he lost to current IBO/IBF/WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Unified Champion Oleksandr Usyk in year 2021.

Ngannou shut out the naysayers out when he made his professional Boxing debut last year against the “Gypsy King” WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 Kos) and nearly pulled what would have been the biggest upset by giving the “Gypsy King” the toughest challenge in his last five fights. Ngannou stood his ground on the night and proved to the Boxing World that he could compete with the best of them in the Heavyweight Division, Hands Down!

This is why we are here today. After a stellar performance against Fury in a controversial loss, Turki Alalshik of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has taken upon himself to bring the intrigue to life by pinning AJ vs Ngannou for “Riyadh Season”.

The trash talking has already begun from Ngannou. Much has been said about AJ’s chin and punch resistance being questionable and Francis has made it a point that he will be looking to test AJ’s chin come fight night. Although Ngannou is a novice in the Boxing World he does believe he has the right amount of power to keep AJ down for good.

That being said, Anthony is well aware of the capabilities of his opponent but does not seem threatened or bothered but rather focussed on the task at hand. Joshua reiterated that his sole purpose is to dominate the Heavyweight Division once again and regain the Championship Titles he lost regardless of who stands in his way of his quest.

Both combatants look the part and have the goods to end the night in a dramatic fashion but the question remains who will prevail victorious on the night? Tune in and be part of one of the most captivating Heavyweight Throwdown Showdown on March 8, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith”

IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Championship Showdown

Canada Stand Up! Last night’s Top Rank/ESPN + Main Event between IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 Kos) and Mandatory challenger Callum Smith (29-2, 21 Kos) at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada, definitely brought the “HEAT” to a cold front inside the stadium. Real Talk!

Much was said about our aging Champion prior to the bout but what the naysayers and Callum quickly found out from the jump is that Beterbiev was and still is a dangerous man inside that squared circle.

Beterbiev came out as the aggressor never letting Callum have any breathing room to operate. Callum talked a good game about how his power was going to be the defining factor but in all reality, Callum’s power punches had absolutely no effect on Artur.

Beterbiev physically walked through the towering Callum’s poor punch output and systematically broke the man down round by round. It was a one-sided beatdown where Callum was simply absorbing heavy punches after heavy punches.

The inevitable was nearing and by the seventh round the onslaught handed out towards Callum was simply too much to handle and he succumbed twice to the floor looking drained and beaten prompting Callum’s trainer Buddy McGirt, to stop the bout and save his fighter from further damage.

Callum, a very worthy opponent, stood his ground for as long as he could but the destructive skilled enforcer that Artur is was simply too strong and too much to handle inside that squared circle.

With this convincing win now under his belt, Beterbiev maintains his perfect undefeated record of (20-0, 20 Kos) and becomes the first one to knock out Callum Smith who had never been down as an amateur or a professional and proudly retained his IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight Championship Crown.

Congratulations Champ, now onto Undisputed with undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 Kos).

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales”

Undisputed Junior Featherweight Champion

Unified WBC/WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 Kos) continued his dominant performance when he took on Unified IBF/WBA Junior Featherweight Champion Marlon Tapales (37-4, 19 Kos) at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

It was an exciting bout from start to finish where both combatants brought their “A” game inside that squared circle and performed for their respective fans by going toe to toe earning each other’s respect.

Marlon stood his ground and fought fire with fire at times but quickly found out that Naoya was an exceptional opponent that required a different type of approach considering how skilled and allusive he is inside that squared circle.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and this morning Inoue outworked and out skilled a very worthy champion in Marlon. Naoya’s controlled aggression was key as he was able to chin check Marlon and dropped him for a quick 8 count late in the fourth round.

Although Marlon recovered and continued to have some sporadic moments inside the squared circle, the heavy pressure that Naoya was applying with his accurate punch selection was visibly getting to Marlon.

Naoya’s power is real and was on full display as he was able to drop Marlon for the second time with further impact that kept him down for the count in the 10th round. Marlon did good and fought well throughout the bout but was simply met with a superior combatant on the night.

With this convincing win Inoue has now in his possession the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO and the vacant Ring Magazine Belt crowning him the New Undisputed Junior Featherweight Champion of the World.

This is an unbelievable achievement to be added to his ever-growing accolades of winning Titles in four different Divisions and back-to-back Undisputed recognition keeping a stronger hold on lock on everybody’s Pound for Pound list.

Well done, Naoya, Fighter of The Year is a must.

Blaze

On The Watch “Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s final PPV Showdown Main Event at the “Day of Reckoning” between former Two-Time Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 Kos) and Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 Kos) did not disappoint at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

With the pressure of success weighing heavily on his back, AJ made sure to bring his “A” game on the night and proceeded to bring the “Heat” to Otto straight from the jump. AJ knew the importance of this bout and stayed locked in with an accurate heavy jab that did the damage very early into the bout.

AJ looked sharp with calculated aggression that took Otto by surprise. Although Otto tried his best to stand his ground, AJ’s offensive approach prevented him from being able to assert himself in a competitive manner. AJ boxed beautifully and administered a one-sided beatdown round by round that was very impressive to watch.

AJ was systematically breaking his opponent down visibly having his way with him inside that squared circle. It was painfully obvious that the usually tough and durable Otto Wallin had absolutely no answer to derail Anthony inside that squared circle.

The inevitable was closing in and by the end of the fifth round, Otto’s corner had seen enough and prevented him from coming out in the sixth round giving AJ the win by technical knockout.

This was the type of performance that AJ’s fans were craving for. A strong and aggressive AJ that beats his opponents down in a convincing fashion. Just the type of performance needed to close out an amazing historical great night of boxing.

Well done Anthony, you played your position right and delivered on the biggest night of Boxing.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker”

Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s Co-Main Event at the Day of Reckoning between former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 Kos) and former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 Kos) shook the Heavyweight Division up with the surprising outcome of this bout. Real Talk!

The “Bronze Bomber” seemed to have run out of detonating ammunition with the inferior performance he brought in on the night. Wilder talked hella sh*t to the buildup of the bout but dropped blanks inside that squared circle.

The fans in attendance couldn’t believe what was happening. Parker was surprisingly the aggressor, controlling every inch of the ring annd applying controlled pressure backing up the heaviest puncher in the Heavyweight Division with absolutely no resistance coming his way.

I’m not sure if the lack of inactivity had finally caught up with Wilder but this version of him looked shot and not well prepared for an active and determined warrior of the likes of Parker.

Parker followed the “game plan” to a “T” and put a good beating on Deontay backing everything he said he would do. Aside from not dropping Deontay inside the allocated 36 minutes, this one-sided beatdown made it easy for the three Judges who scored it 120-107, 118-111, 118-110 unanimously for Parker. Impressive!

While everyone labeled Parker an easy mark for Deontay, Joseph went out there and proved all the naysayers wrong by disabling the “Bronze Bomber” of his well-known ammunition.

This was by far the best win of your career to date. Well done, Joseph, you are steadily climbing your way back to the mountain top of the Heavyweight Division.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Daniel Dubois vs Jarrell Miller”

Heavyweight Showdown

With his back to the wall Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 Kos) found some kind of redemption by stopping the trash talking Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (26-1-1, 22 Kos) on his time slot on the card of the “Day of Reckoning” at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dubois set the stage early by letting his hands go and never looking back. I had anticipated Jarrell would be the one applying the pressure but for some reason Jarrell was looking to tire Dubois out by letting him use up his energy in the earlier rounds but as the rounds started to pile up it was Dubois who was the one banking up the rounds by being the more active fighter with his punches.

Both combatants looked tired at times, but it was Daniel who weathered the storm and continued to go blow for blow as the rounds progressed. Daniel had to dig deep for this bout, but he stood his ground and put a beating on “Big Baby” that had him looking depleted.

Jarrell looked desperate in the final round and lacked the energy or the power to deter Daniel from having his way while continuing to receive an onslaught of unanswered punches prompting the referee at hand to stop the fight.

Miller talked that talk but failed to back it up when the going got tough. Props to Dubois for proving the naysayers wrong. You still have that fire left in you.

Well done, Daniel.

Blaze

On The Watch ”It’s All About Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agit Kabayel”

Heavyweight Showdown

One of the unexpected early shockers of the night at the “Day of Reckoning” happened when our own Canadian/Russian representative Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1, 17 Kos) succumbed at the hands of Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 Kos). Unbelievable!

Kabayel stood his ground with absolutely no fear of the monster in Arslanbek standing across from him. Kabayel boxed and moved beautifully with a punch and accurate output that visibly bothered Arslanbek. Although Agit was the smaller combatant, his speed and calculated movements were apparently troubling Arslanbek.

Makhmudov never looked comfortable whenever Agit landed heavy body shots on him and in the fourth round Arslanbek was eventually dropped from a well-placed body shot for a standing 8 count but visibly looking worked.

Kabayel continued putting his punches together from head to body and dropped Makhmudov for the second time. A frustrated Arslanbek refused to stay down and rose back to his feet but the onslaught coming his way was simply too much to handle and he eventually succumbed for the third time to the floor prompting the referee to stop the bout.

There are levels to this boxing sh*t and tonight, Makhmudov found out the hard way to never underestimate your opponent.

I tip my “B” hat to Agit Kabayel. This was an impressive performance and by taking out our own Canadian/Russian representative the way you just did has surely moved you up the Heavyweight Division.

Well done!

Blaze