PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between James Rocksteady (ranked 966 p4p, 2572 weight class) and Stephen Steve (ranked 40 p4p, 326 weight class). Rocksteady comes into the arena with Red Right Hand blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Rocksteady
vs
Steve

170 cm
33
190
18 - 15 - 1

180 cm
32
177
17 - 14 - 1

Excellent boxer
Very quick

Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Rocksteady!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Stephen Steve!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steve steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rocksteady.
Rocksteady checks a low kick from Steve.
Rocksteady misses the shot to the body.
Steve just misses with a punch to the body.
Steve connects with a body shot.
Rocksteady swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rocksteady misses with a straight left.
Steve fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rocksteady wants to clinch up but Steve keeps it at a distance.
Rocksteady waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Steve.
Steve swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Rocksteady. That snapped Steve's head back.
Rocksteady throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocksteady scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Steve doesn't seem bothered though.
Steve tries to clinch but Rocksteady is having none of it.
Steve throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rocksteady is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Steve.
Rocksteady looks to land a left hand but Steve moved out of range nicely.
A little jabbing left from Steve on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rocksteady scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steve throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rocksteady misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steve.
Rocksteady misses with a looping left.
Rocksteady fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rocksteady scores with a nice right hand.
Steve misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocksteady.
Steve tries to bum rush Rocksteady with a series of wild strikes but Rocksteady uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rocksteady chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Steve can pounce on him.
Rocksteady takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Steve takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Steve checks the leg kick.
Rocksteady has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Steve.
Steve is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rocksteady rather than just go for the knockout.
Good shot there by Rocksteady.
James Rocksteady seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Rocksteady misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rocksteady misses the jab.
Rocksteady moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rocksteady swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksteady misses with a straight right.
Steve scores with a nice right hand.
Rocksteady throws a jab when Steve was well out of range.
Rocksteady misses with an uppercut. Steve saw that one coming.
Steve tests Rocksteady's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Rocksteady has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rocksteady can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Steve blocks a body shot from Rocksteady.
Rocksteady goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steve lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rocksteady wants to stall.
Rocksteady blocking some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rocksteady tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve's elbow.
Steve lands a shoulder strike.
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 James Rocksteady will probably get the nod.
That's time! Rocksteady's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed right hand from Steve misses the target.
A jab from Rocksteady misses.
Rocksteady misses with a straight right.
Steve blocks a jab.
Rocksteady loads up on a big right hand but Steve slips the punch.
Steve will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A solid body kick from Steve.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rocksteady.
Rocksteady loads up on a big right hand but Steve slips the punch.
Rocksteady is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steve.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocksteady rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Steve counters with a right hand to the body.
Rocksteady checks a low kick from Steve.
Rocksteady jabs Steve right on the nose. Steve blinks but takes it well.
Rocksteady fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rocksteady throws an overhand right that lands on Steve's shoulder, as Steve tries to avoid the shot.
Steve lands a nice shot that snaps Rocksteady's head back.
Rocksteady looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rocksteady closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Steve scores with a nice short uppercut.
Steve blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rocksteady blocks a body shot from Steve.
Steve misses with a body punch.
Steve scores with a shot to the side of Rocksteady's head.
Rocksteady stalling.
Steve working aggressively here.
Rocksteady can't find room to land a body shot as Steve controls the action.
Steve connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rocksteady's face.
Steve goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steve lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rocksteady misses with a body punch.
Rocksteady tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Steve looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steve just leaning against Rocksteady, taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve lands a nice uppercut.
Steve blocks a body shot from Rocksteady.
Steve throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Steve misses with the head strike.
Steve cracks Rocksteady with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Steve lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stephen Steve seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rocksteady digs a right hand into Steve's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Steve's gas tank.
Rocksteady blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rocksteady scores with a hook to the body.
Steve tries to circle away but Rocksteady has him pinned against the ropes.
Steve working aggressively here.
Steve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rocksteady blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rocksteady has Steve pressed against the ropes.
A left hand lands to the body for Steve.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Steve showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steve is looking to clinch but Rocksteady is avoiding it.
Rocksteady misses with a wild body shot.
Steve lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rocksteady is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rocksteady misses with a left hand
and Steve cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Steve misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rocksteady connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Steve uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rocksteady.
Rocksteady lands a head shot.
Rocksteady cracks Steve with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Good shot there by Steve.
Rocksteady throws an off balance right hand
and Steve counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Steve ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rocksteady cracks Steve with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rocksteady moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Steve throws a push kick but Rocksteady slaps the foot to one side.
Steve has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rocksteady throws a lazy uppercut
and Steve counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Steve uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rocksteady.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rocksteady closes the distance and clinches.
Rocksteady misses with a punch to the body.
Rocksteady tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steve throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Steve tries to throw a body punch but Rocksteady avoids it by throwing Steve back against the ropes.
Steve pushes Rocksteady back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steve is trying to break the clinch but Rocksteady has him pressed against the ropes.
Steve lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rocksteady backwards.
Steve is trying to break free.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rocksteady.
Rocksteady lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Steve tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Steve misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rocksteady struggles to land a body shot inside as Steve controls his hands.
Steve landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Steve misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksteady controlling the action here for a moment.
Rocksteady tries a body shot but Steve blocks it.
Steve makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Steve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rocksteady is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rocksteady tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Steve digs a right hand into Rocksteady's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rocksteady's gas tank.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Steve. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steve is leaning against Rocksteady and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rocksteady goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rocksteady throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Steves head.
Rocksteady misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steve blocks a body shot from Rocksteady.
Rocksteady misses with a body punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Stephen Steve just about did enough to take it.
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. This is the final round!

Steve gets in close and instigates a clinch.
James Rocksteady has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocksteady misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rocksteady lands a left hand that snaps the head of Steve backwards.
Steve misses with a knee to the head.
Rocksteady tries to work over Steve's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rocksteady goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steve lands a shoulder strike.
Steve prevents a body shot from Rocksteady.
A head punch on the inside from Steve fails to land.
Rocksteady taking a breather.
Steve scores with a shot to the side of Rocksteady's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short uppercut from Rocksteady.
Steve misses with a punch on the inside.
Steve is looking to break free of the clinch but Rocksteady has double underhooks.
Rocksteady trying to stall but Steve improves his position.
Rocksteady lands with a short shot to the head.

Steve manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocksteady tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Steve counters with a straight right hand.
Steve lands a nice looking body kick.
Steve takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rocksteady loads up on a big right hand but Steve slips the punch.
Steve ducks right into an uppercut from Rocksteady.
Rocksteady tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rocksteady fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rocksteady looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Steve scoring well with a low kick there.
Rocksteady throws a jab when Steve was well out of range.
Steve turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Steve keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Steve thumps Rocksteady with a low kick.
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!
Rocksteady scores with a crisp jab that stopped Steve in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksteady misses with an uppercut
and Steve cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rocksteady tries to clinch up.
Rocksteady throws an off balance right hand
and Steve counters with a low kick, right behind Rocksteady 's knee.
Rocksteady misses with a left hand
and Steve counters with a low kick, right behind Rocksteady 's knee.
Rocksteady just misses with a punch to the body.
Stephen Steve is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters circling a little - Steve finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A low kick lands for Steve.
Rocksteady on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rocksteady tries to clinch
and Steve counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Steve takes one to the chin there.

Steve is rocked!
Rocksteady misses with a hook.
Steve is still on wobbly legs! Can Rocksteady finish him?
Steve ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rocksteady uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steve.
Rocksteady throws an overhand right that lands on Steve's shoulder, as Steve tries to avoid the shot.
Steve slips under a jab from Rocksteady.
Steve throws a counter combo.
Rocksteady misses with an uppercut. Steve saw that one coming.
Steve circles away from the clinch attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rocksteady throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steve sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steve seems to have recovered his senses.
Stephen Steve seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Steve lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rocksteady's sensitive parts.
Rocksteady avoids the body shot from Steve.
Steve keeps Rocksteady at a distance using the push kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Steve comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steve 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 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 36:40
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 37:39
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 37:39

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Steve!
During a confident post fight interview, Stephen Steve thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.