On The Watch “It’s All About Erislandy Lara vs Greg Vendetti”

WBA “Regular” Junior Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s main event at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles between WBA “Regular” Junior Middleweight Champion Erislandy Lara (27-3-3, 15 Kos) and contender Greg Vendetti (22-4-1, 12 Kos) was an impressive showing by the one they call “The American Dream”.

The much older but seasoned veteran Lara, showed us fans and the rest of the 154-Pound Division that he’s not to be slept on just yet. Your Boy Lara still got the goods to mix it up with the other champions in the Division, hands down.

Vendetti, a tough and durable contender did his best to disrupt Lara but simply lacks the Boxing IQ to beat a seasoned well-schooled veteran like Lara. No disrespect to Vendetti. He’s no slouch inside that squared circle and he did go 12 full rounds with “The American Dream” but painfully got out-boxed by a world class fighter.

Vendetti and his team clearly underestimated Lara’s abilities inside that squared circle considering Lara is getting up there in age. At 37 years old Lara may look ripe for the taking but not by your average fighter. Real Talk!

That being said, Lara is still top 3 in the 154-Pound Division and he’s out there looking for all the smoke. Lara is determined to reclaim the No. 1 Spot that he once held at the Junior Middleweight Division. To accomplish that, Lara will be looking to challenge the winner of the upcoming Junior Middleweight Unification bout between WBC Champion Jermell Charlo and IBF/WBA Super Champion Jeison Rosario.

The Junior Middleweight Division is “Blazing” right now and Erislandy Lara is still in the mix of it all.

Until then, stay locked in Lara you just might be next.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Erislandy Lara vs Ramon Alvarez”

Vacant WBA “regular” Junior Middleweight Title

Last night, at the Minneapolis Armory in Minnesota, Erislandy Lara (26-3-3, 15 Kos) picked up a much-needed win when he easily annihilated Ramon Alvarez (28-8-3, 16 Kos) in two rounds by TKO.

Ramon, who came in slightly over the contested weight, seemed quite big on the night but sluggish for the few rounds we got to see of him. Ramon was clearly outgunned and outclassed inside that squared circle. Lara was noticeably too much for him to handle from the jump. Personally, Ramon had absolutely no business challenging Lara on that night.

Lara desperately needed a convincing victory and he delivered on the task at hand. We didn’t get to see Lara’s full ammunition but did get a glimpse of his power when he staggered Ramon for a quick 8 count before the stoppage. Lara seemed to be sitting down more than usual on his punches making sure his opponent felt every bit of his power. This version of Lara could make his future bouts that more intriguing to watch if he continues with that type of approach.

With this win, Lara picked up the Vacant WBA “regular” junior middleweight Title
and rejoined the winner’s circle once again. That being said, in order to become the mandatory challenger to Unified WBA Super Junior Middleweight Champion Julian Williams, Lara will most likely set a date with fellow WBA Gold Junior Middleweight Champion Michel Soro (34-2-1, 23 Kos) to firmly establish who’s next in line.

Lara’s drive back to the top of the 154-pound Division is not an easy one but it’s definitely keeping him within the conversations amongst the top of the Division.

Seize the momentum Lara and keep focussed, until your next challenge.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Brian Castano vs Erislandy Lara”

WBA Junior Middleweight Challenge

Fresh of his gruelling unification defeat of April 2018 to Jarrett Hurd, Erislandy Lara (25-3-3, 14 Kos) jumped right back into the mix and into that squared circle last night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York to challenge younger unbeaten WBA (regular) Junior Middleweight Champion Brian Carlos Castano (15-0-1, 11 Kos).

Both combatants came out their respective corners with one thing in mind: to prove that they belong amongst the best in the 154-pound Division. The end result after 12 hard rounds was an unsettled split draw. One Judge had it 115-113 for Lara, one Judge had it 115-113 for Castano and the third Judge had it dead even 114-114.

Real Talk! I can’t front, it was a real tight fight with both warriors having their way from time to time but personally I think Lara had the cleaner work. Lara was way more accurate with his punch selection while Castano not as precise but definitely more aggressive with his punch output.

Castano’s stalking tactics throughout the bout is what kept him in the “Game” all night. His “phone booth” style of fighting was very effective but Lara’s defense was also keeping Castano from administering heavy pain.

That being said, Castano’s performance last night proved that he can definitely hang with the “top dogs” in the 154-pound Division. Going 12 tough back and forth rounds with “The American Dream” Erislandy Lara is no easy task.

With no clear winner or loser on the night, Castano retained his WBA (regular) Junior Middleweight Championship Title in the hope of securing a unification bout with the other Champions in the 154-pound Division or better yet a rematch with Lara to clear the air?

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Erislandy Lara vs Jarrett Hurd”

Junior Middleweight Title Unification

Last night on Showtime at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vagas, I saw Erislandy Lara (25-3-2, 14 Kos) the longest reigning 154 pounder take an “L” to the heavy-handed “Swift” Jarrett Hurd (22-0, 15 Kos).

It was a very competitive bout from start to finish. Lara came out the gate with somewhat of a different approach from his usual self. You could see it in his eyes that he wanted to prove a point last night. My man stayed in the pocket “phone booth style” more than usual and bang it out with the heavy fisted Hurd.

Hurd was like a stocker in that squared circle last night. His game plan was straight and simple, seek and destroy by any means necessary. He took in some heavy shots from Lara but his pure size and brute strength was just too much for Lara to shake off. Hurd stayed on Lara’s neck throughout every round with none stop pressure until he finally achieved the “game changer” and managed to drop Lara in the 12th and final round. Real Talk until that knock down I had this fight as a draw but that left hook from Hurd sealed the deal.

Two Judges scored it 114-113 for Hurd and one Judge 114-113 for Lara. It was a hell of an impressive bout with non-stop action all the way through. Lara came to fight and showed up with the heart of a true Champion but this young Lion in Hurd just edged him out to steal that win under him.

There is a new “Top Dog” in the Junior Middleweight Division and he goes by the name of “Swiff “Jarrett Hurd. With this win he now becomes Unified Champion with the WBA, IBO and IBF under his possession. This Kid is a serious problem to all competitors in the Division.

His next quest is to be Undisputed Champion but to do that you gotta go through Jemell Charlo the WBC Junior Middleweight Champion and that ain’t no walk in the park. Real Talk!

Until then Champ enjoy your latest accomplishments cause you deserve every moment of it.

Congratulations Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Showtime Premier Boxing Champions”

Super Welterweight Division

Wow!!! Last night, Saturday October 14, 2017, Showtime Premier Boxing Champions gave us the fans an incredible tripleheader at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn New York. REAL TALK!
Six of the top Super Welterweights graced that squared circle and all performed stunningly on that stage.

First up was undefeated Jarrett Hurd (21-0, 15 Kos) the International Boxing Federation Titleholder who successfully defended his belt vs former World Champion Austin Trout (30-4, 17 Kos).
This bout was about a young hungry gunner climbing his way to the top of the food chain with no regard to whatsoever to any savvy proven veteran standing in his way. REAL TALK! Trout is a proven warrior and one of the best at that but your Boy Hurd was just too big and strong on that night. Austin brought his “A “ Game but was cut short by the 10th round. Hurd’s onslaught on Trout was just too much to handle.
Jarrett Hurd becomes the first fighter to beat Austin Trout by knockout or technical knockout. Congratulations on your win Champ.

In the co-feature, (which could have easily been the main event on any other night), WBC Super Welterweight Titleholder Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (30-0, 15 Kos), also successfully defended his belt in an astonishing fashion by demolishing previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (18-1, 13 Kos) in the first round. Nuff Said!
Your Boy Jermell is the truth. The kid walks it like he talks it. He once again silenced all the critics and the haters who just can’t seem to come to grip that this kid is the real deal. The 154-pound Division has a real problem on their hands and he goes by the name of Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo. Good luck to the competition. Congratulations Champ!

In the main event, WBA/IBO Super Welterweight World Champion Erislandy Lara (25-2-2, 14 Kos) successfully defended his belts by knocking down previously unbeaten Terell Gausha (20-1, 9 Kos) on the way to a 12-round unanimous decision.
Listen his fight wasn’t as exciting as Jarrett or Jermell’s previous title fights but we can’t wrong the man for making it look so easy cause he’s still the top dude in the Division. We all know that styles make fights so lets hope his next performance is up to par to a real Champs standard. Congratulations Champ.

Your thoughts on this one?

Blaze