PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Hokuto Akira (ranked 2513 p4p, 4365 weight class) and Yasol Kim (ranked 341 p4p, 519 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Akira
vs
Kim

176 cm
37
166
29 - 5 - 1

175 cm
36
162
27 - 13 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Hokuto Akira!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yasol Kim!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kim lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Yasol Kim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kim throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kim swings widly with a right hand
and Akira counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Akira misses with a looping right.
Kim lands a nice shot that snaps Akira's head back.
Kim cracks Akira with an open hand slap.
Kim misses with a hook.
Kim takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kim scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kim misses with a leg kick
and Akira cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kim fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Akira looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Kim gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Akira on the inside.
I was talking to Akira's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kim tries to work over Akira's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akira looking to stall.
Kim blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akira digs a right hand underneath Kim's ribcage. Kim let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short right from Akira.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akira.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kim.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akira.
Akira tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kim blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akira prevents a body shot from Kim.
Kim working aggressively here.
Akira digs a right hand into Kim's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kim's gas tank.
Akira lands with a left to the head.
Kim softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Kim misses with a body punch.
Kim tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akira tries to throw a body punch but Kim avoids it by throwing Akira back against the ropes.
Kim prevents a body shot from Akira.
Akira taking a breather.
Good body shot from Kim.
Akira scores with a shot to the side of Kim's head.
We've been informed that Kim has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Akira creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Akira misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kim blocking some punches.
Akira goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Akira misses with a punch to the body.
Kim tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akira prevents a body shot from Kim.
Akira tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kim prevents a body shot from Akira.
Kim makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Akira misses with some punches.
Akira blocks an uppercut.
Kim lands a left hand that snaps the head of Akira backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kim misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akira throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kims head.
Akira working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akira.
Kim working aggressively here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hokuto Akira dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akira ducks under a wild hook from Kim.
Kim throws a leg kick but Akira sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kim looks to land a left hand but Akira moved out of range nicely.
Akira throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kim connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A leg kick checked by Akira.
Kim ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kim throws a leg kick but Akira moved away.
Akira was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kim misses with a lunging right hand
and Akira counters with a left to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim stuns Akira with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kim is looking to land body kicks.

Akira closes the distance and scores with a big combo that sends Kim crashing to the mat! Kim uses the ropes to get back to his feet and beat the count. The referee looks concerned but he's going to allow it to continue!

It looks like Yasol Kim has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kim tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Akira is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Akira counters with a big right hook, that lands right on the temple! Kim goes down! Akira rushes to a neutral corner to get the count going quickly. This one's going to be close! 3,4,5,6,7... Kim is up to one knee.... 8,9.... He's up! The referee says he's good to go, so we're back to the action!
Kim has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Akira finds it's way round the side to connect with Kim's head.
Akira is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kim can do to turn this around?
Kim displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akira throws out the jab.
Kim misses with a hook.
Hokuto Akira is winning the standup battle so far.
Akira checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kim misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kim misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Akira counters with a straight right hand.

Akira closes the distance and clinches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akira.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Kim creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kim misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim lands a hook that snaps the head of Akira backwards.
Kim swings wildly with an uppercut but Akira uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akira holding his opponent close, against the ropes.

Akira escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kim jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kim looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Akira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kim.
An inside leg kick lands from Kim.
Akira throws out a loose jab but Kim uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akira thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kim feints and then cracks Akira's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akira down.

Kim gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Akira tries to throw a body punch but Kim avoids it by throwing Akira back against the ropes.
Akira makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hokuto Akira takes the second round thanks to the knockdowns.
The cut man is working on Yasol Kim's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akira throws the left hand but Kim avoids the punch easily.
Kim wants to clinch.
Akira throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kim counters with a stiff right hand.
Akira tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kim is looking to clinch.
Akira avoids the body shot from Kim.
Akira jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akira was well out of range. Poor timing from Kim.
Kim throws a jab but it's blocked by Akira.
Akira tries to move into range but Kim moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim throws a combination that misses

and Akira counters with a really nice, stiff jab that drops Kim onto his ass. He'll have to take the mandatory count from the referee but he's back on his feet and he seems OK to continue.

Kim is rocked!
Kim wants to clinch.
Kim avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Akira lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.
Kim wants to counter the offense by Akira and move into the clinch position.
Kim works the jab nicely.
Kim chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akira avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akira misses with a few strikes there.

Akira drives through and clinches with Kim against the ropes.
Akira lands a hook that snaps the head of Kim backwards.
Hokuto Akira has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kim swings wildly with an uppercut but Akira uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kim tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akira tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kim's elbow.
Kim lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Akira.
Akira lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Kim presses Akira against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kim scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nice body punch from Akira - that landed with a thud.
Kim has a couple of punches blocked by Akira.
Kim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akira taking a breather.
Akira misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akira.
Kim blocks a body shot from Akira.
Kim misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Akira.
Kim is working Akira over against the ropes.
A shot in the inside from Akira.
A right handed body shot lands from Kim.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hokuto Akira takes that one, having scored the knockdown.
The cut man is working on Yasol Kim's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kim misses with a body kick.
Akira throwing a counter right hand but Kim manages to avoid it.
Kim paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kim motions for Akira to come forward. Kim throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the liver by Kim. Beautiful body shot.
Kim bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kim lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akira moves away.
Nice shot lands for Kim.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akira slips under a jab from Kim.
Kim connects with a body shot.
Kim throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
It looked like Akira wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Akira takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akira misses with a straight right.
Akira ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kim moves away.
Kim swinging wildly here.
Kim looks to throw the jab but Akira is out of range.

Akira closes the distance and pushes Kim back into the ropes.
Good body shot from Akira.
Akira fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akira digs a right hand underneath Kim's ribcage. Kim let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kim blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akira struggles to land a body shot inside as Kim controls his hands.
Akira lands an uppercut.
Kim lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Akira lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kim backwards.
Kim working aggressively here.
Akira blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim throws a punch but it's blocked by Akira.
Akira throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kims head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akira goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kim misses with the head strike.
Akira misses with a punch to the body.
Kim lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Akira lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Akira.
Kim throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Akiras head.
Akira swings wildly with an uppercut but Kim uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akira tries to work over Kim's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kim prevents a body shot from Akira.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Akira blocking some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Akira.
Kim working aggressively here.
Akira scores with a shot to the side of Kim's head.
Kim blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akira looking to stall.
Akira blocking some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Yasol Kim will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Yasol Kim's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Akira throws a jab when Kim was well out of range.
Kim tries to counter with a clinch but Akira shakes him off and moves away.
Yasol Kim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akira on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kim moves into range and connects with a jab.
Akira stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kim.
Kim throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kim throws a leg kick
and Akira connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akira was well out of range. Poor timing from Kim.
Akira looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim is looking to clinch but Akira is avoiding it.
Kim looks to score with a jab to the body but Akira is just out of range.

Akira rushes Kim and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kim misses with a body punch.
Akira scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kim.
A right hook to the body lands for Akira.
Kim misses with some punches.
Kim lands with a right to the head.
Kim lands a shoulder strike.
Akira misses with a punch to the body.
Akira tries to throw a body punch but Kim avoids it by throwing Akira back against the ropes.
Akira misses with a punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Kim.
Akira blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kim's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Akira fails to land.
Kim lands a right hand.
Kim swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kim is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Akira blocking some punches.
Akira throws a punch but it's blocked by Kim.
Kim tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akira's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim scores with a hook to the body.
Akira lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akira lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kim throws a punch but it's blocked by Akira.
Akira blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akira lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Akira lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kim misses with a body punch.
Akira scores with a shot to the side of Kim's head.
A hook to the body from Akira.
Kim is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Akira tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Akira.
Akira pushes Kim back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Akira blocking some punches.
Akira lands a body shot in the clinch.
Akira scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Akira on the inside.
Akira lands a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice left hand lands by Akira.
A body shot lands from Akira.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hokuto Akira showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akira has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 49:43
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:43
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hokuto Akira!
Hokuto Akira retains his welterweight title!
Our winner, Hokuto Akira, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.