On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

Last night’s highly anticipated Top Rank/ESPN PPV Main Event between Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 Kos) and mandatory challenger Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-3, 11 Kos) definitely lived up to the hype at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Real Talk!

It was evident from round one that Devin quickly realized that he was in there with a hungry and motivated Loma who brought the heat and his extensive experience inside that squared circle.

Styles make fights and last night both combatant dug deep into their arsenal going toe to toe and blow for blow trying to get an advantage at any cost. Loma looked exceptionally strong and applied the most pressure in my eyes. Loma showed absolutely no fear and constantly initiated the offence not waiting for a counter from Devin.

Devin stood his ground and hit the body quite well but definitely looked surprised by how strong and witty Loma was inside that squared circle. At times Devin looked bewildered, not knowing how to deter Loma from applying such controlled aggression. Devin may have been the bigger and longer fighter on the night but Loma found a way in and neutralized Devin’s noticeable advantages.

Both combatants put in that work and it was a back-and-forth type battle round after round keeping it real tight to call but to me Loma asserted himself as the aggressor with the most controlled activity with punches landed round by round.

After 12 fully completed, exciting rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 unanimously for Devin Haney.

Judging by the scorecard handed in, it was evident that the work being done inside that squared circle by both combatants made it hard to call but truth be told, I can’t sit here and honestly say that Devin was the clear winner here and disregard the heavy work that Loma administered on the night. Loma turned back the clock on this one and stole the show if you ask me.

Just my thoughts.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko”

Undisputed Lightweight Championship Showdown

A very intriguing matchup has officially been announced. Undisputed IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO/Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (29-0, 15 Kos) will once again be defending his hard-earned hardware against the highly rated Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-2, 11 Kos) on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

This is a bout that Devin has been calling for since way back to 2019 but to no avail; however, now that he is the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World, the call for the matchup has miraculously been answered.

Lomachenko’s personal goal is to become the Undisputed lightweight Champion of the World but in order to achieve this, he will need to defeat the young King presently reigning at the top of the 135-Pound Division and pry away all the jewels from Devin.

This will be a formidable task for Lomachenko. Devin has improved dramatically over the years and has grown in strength and leveled up skill wise. Devin’s confidence is at an all-time high right now and being an Undefeated Undisputed Champion brings out an aura of invincibility that he plans on keeping and he will not be denied a victory on Saturday night May 20, 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Both combatants are highly skilled and both have strength and drawbacks that can be exploited by one another with the right “game plan”. I expect a high-level chess match come fight night when both warriors grace the inside of the squared circle and battle it out for the Undisputed Crown of the Lightweight Division.

Who you got?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant”

WBC Interim Super Middleweight Challenge

Last night’s Showtime/PBC Pay-Per-View Main Event between WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez (27-0, 23 Kos) and Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 Kos) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas was definitely a bout that lived up to the hype. Real Talk!

This bout was a strategic affair that unfolded with both combatants working in their respective “game plan” right from the jump. The boxer Caleb vs the puncher in David.

Both combatants stepped their game up on the night. Caleb, who insisted on a bigger ring, utilized every inch of it by boxing beautifully in the first half of the bout. His movement and speed made it more difficult for David to pin him down and assert himself offensively but throughout the early rounds of this bout you could see the pressure Benavidez was applying would eventually hit the mark.

Benavidez is a patient warrior who clearly believes in his ability to cut off the ring on any tough opponent who thinks they can continuously avoid the inevitable onslaught that he brings inside that squared circle.

David is a hunter inside that squared circle and his opponent his prey. By the 8th round his prey was visibly tiring and losing steam as the round progressed. That being said, Benavidez’s heavy punches were finding their mark at a higher clip and noticeably affecting Plant who tried his best to withstand the onslaught.

With Plant progressively weakening in the later rounds and continuously looking hurt after every hard shot, Caleb surprisingly refused to succumb to the assault and continued to fight back all the way to the final bell of the 12th round.

That being said, I tip my “B” to Caleb’s resiliency inside that squared circle. Although David had clearly taken over the second half of the bout in a dominant fashion, Caleb willed himself in a tough battle and finished on his feet when the beatdown was visibly at his doorstep. Dude is a lot tougher than he looks, hands down!

After 12 full exciting rounds of nonstop action, the Judges at hand scored it 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 unanimously for David Benavidez.

Although “The Mexican Monster” did not close the show in his traditional knockout fashion, he dominated a tougher than expected top Super Middleweight combatant and still retained his WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title, keeping that door open to a possible showdown in the near future with the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 Kos).

Until then, congratulations David on another great and dominant performance.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Devin Hayne vs JoJo Diaz Jr.”

WBC Lightweight Challenge

WBC Lightweight Champion Devin Haney (27-0, 15 Kos) kept his “Dream” of one day becoming Undisputed Lightweight Champion alive last night when he successfully defeated always tough and durable JoJo Diaz (32-2-1, 15 Kos) by unanimous decision on the Matchroom/DAZN Main Event card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

JoJo came out the gate attempting to establish himself early but it was Devin who responded with a very accurate and steady jab that kept JoJo from landing anything damaging enough to deter Devin’s steady offense round by round.

Devin boxed and moved beautifully with some very good combinations from head to body keeping JoJo in the high guard position trying to block most of the shots coming his way.

JoJo showed toughness and resilience but his punch output to connection ratio was a little off, giving Devin the edge due to his higher punch output and connection ratio being on point round by round.

That said JoJo still made it tough on Devin. This was not a clear-cut easy fight for Devin – it was a good solid test where Devin got tagged quite a few times and never wavered. Devin showed his own toughness as well especially in the Championship rounds when JoJo pressed the action.

After 12 full rounds of action the Judges scored it 117-111, 117-111, 116-112 unanimously for Devin Haney. No dispute there. JoJo made it a fight but fell short but should still keep his head up cause this Dude is no walk in the park inside that squared circle for anybody.

Job well done Devin – now on to Undisputed.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury”

WBC Heavyweight Title Challenge II

Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 Kos) delivered on his promise and bullied the WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 Kos) on his own soil. Last night’s Main Event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada was nothing short of an exciting showdown between two of the biggest Heavyweight Boxers in the game today.

The “Gypsy King” came into this bout with a new trainer and a flawless “game plan” that Tyson executed to a “T”. I gotta tip my “B” hat to Fury for delivering such a one-sided beat down on one of the most heavy-fisted Boxers in the game today. Tyson’s approach this time around took Wilder by surprise. Tyson stood his ground early and physically asserted himself to the point of doing the impossible and actually dropping Wilder in the third round for a quick standing 8 count from which Wilder never fully recovered. Wilder looked tired and was on shaky legs from that point on. Definitely unusual territory for the Champ.

Tyson was putting his hands all over Wilder and all over that squared circle with no real resistance from the Champ. The power puncher last night was Furry who literally manhandled and dominated Wilder to a second knock down in the 5th round. The pressure was looking like it was too much for Wilder who looked gassed as the rounds wore on and truth be told, to everybody’s surprise, Wilder’s corner threw in the towel to stop the unanswered onslaught in the 7th round. Unbelievable! Deontay got hella heart and clearly wanted to go out on his shield but pulling him out in that 7th round was the right move to do to save him from any further injuries.

I never expected to see the so-called “pillow-fisted” Fury stopping the Champ in such a convincing fashion. With this win, the “Gypsy King” dethroned the “Bronze Bomber” and picked up the WBC Heavyweight Championship Title along with the Ring Magazine Belt and now becomes a two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Congratulations on your latest accomplishment Tyson. This rematch will unquestionably go down in Boxing History as one of the greatest battles. You walked in on a throne and left that squared circle the “Gypsy King” of the Ring.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury”

WBC Heavyweight Title Challenge II

The rematch between these two giants: WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder (42-0-1, 41 Kos) and Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20 Kos) has officially been set for Saturday February 22, 2020 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The split draw that both combatants received in their last encounter inside that squared circle has left a sour taste that both are eager to clear up permanently. It’s time to silence the critics. A lot of questions need to be answered from both sides.

Both combatants are predicting a knockout victory but to me the proven heavy fisted “Bronze Bomber” seams the most likely to fulfil his retribution. His track record speaks for itself. That being said, I can’t ignore the “Gypsy King” will to win, Dude got knockdown twice in their last outing and still managed to rise back up and stayed competitive while 41 of Deontay’s previous adversaries failed miserably.

There is more at stake this go around: their unbeaten records, the WBC Heavyweight Championship Title and the vacant Ring Magazine Title.

Tune in and witness this highly anticipated rematch. Who will walk away with both esteemed Titles when it’s all said and done on ESPN+ and Fox Sports pay-per-view Saturday February 22, 2020 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas?

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev”

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Middleweight “King Pin” Champion Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 Kos) added another chapter to his history-making career last night at the MGM Grand Arena when he knocked out WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 Kos) in the eleventh round.

This bout was a chess match played at the highest level. Kovalev’s “game plan” was clear and executed to perfection. Sergey proceeded as instructed with his stiff jab and doubling up whenever permitted. As good as Kovalev’s jab was all night it literally came down to who had the better tactical approach on the night.

Canelo showed exceptional patience from the start. He did not let Kovalev’s jab deter him from the plan at hand which was making every punch count with controlled aggression. Canelo showed absolutely no fear towards the visibly bigger Kovalev. It was a thing of beauty to see how Canelo was systematically breaking down Kovalev’s body attack round by round.

Kovalev showed great boxing IQ throughout the very close bout but seemed to tire in the later rounds. All though the pace of the fight wasn’t that fast, Sergey was visibly looking weaker and ready for the “end game”. By round 11, Canelo went in for the kill with a devastating two-peace combo that flattened Kovalev into the ropes. Nuff said.

With this win, Canelo has once again conquered his fourth Division and becoming the fourth Mexican boxer to accomplish such an achievement. That being said, Canelo is now the only active boxer to concurrently hold world titles in the Light Heavyweight Division, Super Middleweight Division and Unified Middle Weight Division.

Congratulations Canelo on another great accomplishment. You are truly defying all odds and literally creating your own History.

Until the next chapter Champ.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Canelo Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev”

WBO Light Heavyweight Challenge

Its Official, Middleweight “King Pin” Champion Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 Kos) will be moving up two weight Divisions to challenge Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 Kos) for his WBO Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday November 2, 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

From having two tough bouts with Gennady Golovkin onto a stern challenge with Daniel Jacobs, Canelo is now seeking to outdo himself once again by attempting to dethrone the Three-Time Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev and become the fourth Mexican fighter to win World Titles in four different Divisions.

I’m very intrigued with this matchup. A lot of people in the boxing community see this bout as a cherry pick by Canelo but I personally see it has a real tough task ahead for Alvarez. Real Talk! Peeps need to stop looking at Kovalev’s age and really see what the “Krusher” brings to that squared circle. With trainer Buddy McGirt by his side leading the helm and challenging him in camp, Kovalev has now regained focus and is now showing up a more disciplined fighter inside the ring. Sergey has shown us many times before that he is a very smart, skillful fighter with an extended boxing IQ that also carries heat in both hands. Definitely not a walk in the park for any competitor.

That being said, Canelo is out here chasing history and testing himself every time he enters that squared circle. Canelo is the total package at this point in his career. Skill for skill Alvarez is heads above most and on this night, November 2, 2019 Canelo will be banking on his extensive skills and the right “game plan” from trainer Eddy Reynoso to take down the visibly bigger and stronger “Krusher”.

A successful leap from the 160-pound Division to the 175-pound Division is not familiar. In fact, only a few of the greats have succeeded in doing so but Canelo feels he is destined to join the limited prestige club and plans on achieving that goal come Saturday night November 2, 2019 live on DAZN at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That is if he can effectively slay the “Krusher” down to pieces.

Blaze