PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Manu Ahonen (ranked 3829 p4p, 3855 weight class) and Robert Helpmann (ranked 446 p4p, 450 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ahonen
vs
Helpmann

182 cm
44
170
24 - 22 - 0

184 cm
23
180
2 - 1 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Grunge Nutrition

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manu Ahonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Helpmann!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Helpmann scores with a nice right hand.
Ahonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ahonen misses the jab.
Helpmann throws a shot to the body.
Helpmann fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ahonen manages to avoid it.
A big right from Helpmann misses.
Ahonen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Helpmann lands a nice shot to the body.
Ahonen throws a right hand that Helpmann ducks under and follows up with a left that Helpmann also avoids with ease.
Helpmann blocks a head kick by Ahonen.
Ahonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ahonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Helpmann takes one on the button.
Helpmann looks to throw the jab but Ahonen is out of range.
Helpmann uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ahonen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahonen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Helpmann fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann jabs at Ahonen's body.
Helpmann throws a body shot but no joy.
Ahonen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Helpmann throws a shot from downtown. Ahonen moves away and avoids it.
Helpmann just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromAhonen.
Helpmann dodges the punch combination from Ahonen.
Ahonen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ahonen defending well as Helpmann loads up on a big left hand.
Helpmann misses with a looping left.
Helpmann works Ahonen's body with a nice hook.
Helpmann is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ahonen rather than just go for the knockout.
Helpmann misses with a hook to the body
letting Ahonen counter with a right hand.
Ahonen throws an overhand right that lands on Helpmann's shoulder, as Helpmann tries to avoid the shot.
Helpmann is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ahonen with a body shot.
Helpmann swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ahonen counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ahonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It seemed like Helpmann was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Helpmann throws a looping overhand right but Ahonen ducks down to avoid it.
Ahonen throwing a counter right hand but Helpmann manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann misses with a straight left.
Ahonen misses with a lunging right hand
and Helpmann counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ahonen thinking.
Helpmann uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ahonen has time to react.
Helpmann slips under a jab.
Helpmann misses with a looping left.
Ahonen avoids the body shot from Helpmann.
Helpmann tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Helpmann.
Helpmann dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ahonen digs a good body shot into Helpmann's ribs.
Ahonen avoids the body shot from Helpmann.
An inside leg kick lands from Ahonen.
Robert Helpmann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Helpmann throws the left hand but Ahonen avoids the punch easily.
Helpmann throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ahonen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ahonen throws a right hand that Helpmann ducks under and follows up with a left that Helpmann also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Helpmann blocks the low kick.
Ahonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Helpmann.
Ahonen slips a straight right by Helpmann.
Nice straight punches there by Helpmann. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Helpmann.
Sloppy strikes from Helpmann. Those never looked like landing.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Helpmann swings widly with a right hand
and Ahonen counters with a left to the body.
Helpmann looks to throw the jab but Ahonen is out of range.
Helpmann throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ahonen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Helpmann throws a lazy uppercut
and Ahonen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Helpmann displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ahonen throws out the jab.
A punch combination from Ahonen misses.
Helpmann appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Helpmann misses with an uppercut.
Ahonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahonen looks to land a right hand but Helpmann moved out of range.
Helpmann looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Helpmann misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahonen.
Ahonen throws a nice looking combination but Helpmann bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Helpmann lands a body shot.
Helpmann tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Helpmann.
Helpmann throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Helpmann misses with a looping right.
Ahonen lands a two punch combo.
Ahonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Helpmann throws out the jab.
Ahonen throws out a powerful jab.
Helpmann looks to land a right hand but Ahonen moved out of range.
Helpmann looks to land a combination. Ahonen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahonen scores with a jab to the body.
Helpmann ducks under a wild hook from Ahonen.
Ahonen throws a right hand that Helpmann ducks under and follows up with a left that Helpmann also avoids with ease.
Helpmann misses with a lunging right hand
and Ahonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Manu Ahonen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Helpmann misses with a hook
letting Ahonen counter with a right hand.
Helpmann uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ahonen.
It seemed like Helpmann was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Helpmann avoids the head kick by Ahonen.
Helpmann misses with a wild body shot.
Helpmann takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Helpmann connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Helpmann throws a poor cross that misses
and Ahonen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Ahonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Helpmann is just out of range.
Helpmann lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ahonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Manu Ahonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Ahonen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Helpmann throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As Helpmann backs away, Ahonen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ahonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Helpmann misses with a straight left.
Ahonen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ahonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann misses with a body shot.
Helpmann throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ahonen on the side of the head.
Helpmann misses with a straight left.
Helpmann dodges the punch combination from Ahonen.
Helpmann swings for the body but Ahonen moves out of range.
Ahonen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Helpmann looks to land a right hand but Ahonen moved out of range.
Helpmann throws out a loose jab but Ahonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Helpmann.
Helpmann stuns Ahonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ahonen. That's going to slow Helpmann down.
Ahonen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ahonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Helpmann moves away.
Ahonen throws a head kick that misses
and Helpmann connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Robert Helpmann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen misses with a shot to the body
and Helpmann counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Helpmann throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ahonen works the jab nicely.
Ahonen slips a jab from Helpmann.
Ahonen punishes Helpmann's body with a nice straight punch.
Helpmann digs a good hook to Ahonen's body.
Helpmann throws out a loose jab but Ahonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Helpmann misses the jab.
A leg kick checked by Helpmann.
A jab from Helpmann misses.
Helpmann moves away from the strike by Ahonen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Helpmann! But no joy.
Helpmann fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ahonen manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Helpmann. Ahonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Helpmann misses with a left hand
and Ahonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen misses with an uppercut. Helpmann saw that one coming.
Helpmann misses with a looping left.
Ahonen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Helpmann throws an overhand right that lands on Ahonen's shoulder, as Ahonen tries to avoid the shot.
Helpmann throws an overhand right that lands on Ahonen's shoulder, as Ahonen tries to avoid the shot.
Ahonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Helpmann looks to land a left hand but Ahonen moved out of range nicely.
Helpmann throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Helpmann tests Ahonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Helpmann misses the target.
Helpmann missing with a left hand there. Ahonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Helpmann gets a clinch.
Helpmann lands a shoulder strike.
Ahonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Helpmann blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Helpmann cracks Ahonen with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ahonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Helpmann with a hook.
Helpmann throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ahonen scores with a hook to the body. Helpmann takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ahonen lands a lovely overhand right.
Helpmann throws a body punch but Ahonen moves out of range.
Ahonen scores with a hook to the body. Helpmann takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ahonen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Helpmann connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A left lands for Helpmann.
A looping hook to the body misses from Helpmann. Ahonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Ahonen was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Helpmann uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ahonen.
A jab from Ahonen finds it's way through Helpmann's defenses.
Helpmann swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ahonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ahonen ducks under a wild hook from Helpmann.
A little feinted left hand from Ahonen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ahonen lands a really nice looking cross but Helpmann seems unphased.
Helpmann throws a body shot but no joy.
Helpmann misses with a straight right.
Helpmann looks to land a right hand but Ahonen moved out of range.
Helpmann throws a jab but it's blocked by Ahonen.
Ahonen is looking to counter punch.
Ahonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Helpmann lands a glancing blow to the side of Ahonen's head.
Helpmann takes a swing at Ahonen's ribcage but misses.
Ahonen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ahonen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Helpmann misses with a shot to the body
and Ahonen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helpmann takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A low kick from Ahonen misses
enabling Helpmann to counter with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Helpmann fails in his attempt to clinch.
Helpmann throws a hook but Ahonen blocks it.
Helpmann slips a jab from Ahonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Ahonen. Those never looked like landing.
Ahonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ahonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Helpmann throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Helpmann slips a jab from Ahonen.
Ahonen misses with a hook. Helpmann ducked under it nicely.
Donk. Helpmann catches Ahonen right on the button with a cross.
Helpmann misses with an uppercut. Ahonen saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Helpmann misses the target.
Ahonen throws an overhand right that lands on Helpmann's shoulder, as Helpmann tries to avoid the shot.
Ahonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ahonen just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Helpmann! But no joy.
Helpmann throws a hook but Ahonen blocks it.
Ahonen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Helpmann back to the ropes. Ahonen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ahonen has time to react.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ahonen throws a body kick that misses.
Helpmann looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahonen is just out of range.
A big left from Helpmann misses.
As Helpmann backs away, Ahonen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Helpmann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ahonen moves away.
Helpmann throws a looping overhand right but Ahonen ducks down to avoid it.
Ahonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ahonen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Helpmann's head.
A punch combination from Ahonen misses.
Helpmann scores with a shot to the body.
Helpmann fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ahonen manages to avoid it.
Ahonen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Helpmann. Ahonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ahonen misses with a body shot
enabling Helpmann to counter with a crisp jab.
Helpmann throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ahonen moves out of range as Helpmann strikes.
A big right from Helpmann misses.
Ahonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slow jab from Helpmann misses its intended target.
Ahonen throws a wild body kick that Helpmann sees coming a mile off.
Helpmann lands a jab to Ahonen's midsection.
Ahonen throws a lazy right hand but Helpmann sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ahonen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Helpmann lands a jab.
Ahonen moves out of range of the strikes.
Helpmann throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ahonen counters with a nice uppercut.
Helpmann misses with a looping left.
A head kick misses from Ahonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Helpmann misses the target.
Ahonen misses with a hook to the body
and Helpmann counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ahonen misses with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Helpmann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ahonen moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Helpmann. Ahonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ahonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Helpmann slips a jab and a cross from Ahonen.
Helpmann is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ahonen. Helpmann does a little dance to reset his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ahonen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Helpmann counters with a right hand to the body.
Helpmann misses with a left hand
and Ahonen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Helpmann thinking.
Helpmann scores with a nice head shot.
Helpmann has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Helpmann throws a shot to the body.
Ahonen tried to score with a low kick but Helpmann checks it.
Ahonen staying out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Robert Helpmann.
Well Helpmann has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Robert Helpmann!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Robert Helpmann!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Robert Helpmann!

Robert Helpmann wins by unanimous decision!