PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Saimon Cassel (ranked 2327 p4p, 87 weight class) and Reggie Stapleton (ranked 5323 p4p, 69 weight class). Stapleton comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Steroid - Gain without pain kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Saimon Cassel has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Cassel
vs
Stapleton

210 cm
26
280 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

196 cm
25
231 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Excellent boxer
Very strong

Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Saimon Cassel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reggie Stapleton!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cassel lands with a right, followed by a left to the temple and Stapleton goes down! The ref sends Cassel to a neutral corner so he can begin the count. 3,4,5,6 and Stapleton is back to his feet. He seems a little groggy but the referee thinks he's OK to continue, so we're back to the action!

It looks like Reggie Stapleton has been cut.
Cassel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stapleton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cassel misses with a combination
and Stapleton counters with a stiff right hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cassel blocks a body shot from Stapleton.
Cassel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stapleton crunches a lovely knee into Cassel's ribcage.
Cassel has a couple of punches blocked by Stapleton.
Cassel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short uppercut from Stapleton.
I was talking to Cassel's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Stapleton misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Stapleton fails to land.
Stapleton utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Cassel has had enough of the clinch but Stapleton keeps him there for the moment.
Stapleton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cassel's efforts to push away.
Stapleton misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Stapleton obliges.
Stapleton utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Cassel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stapleton working aggressively here.
Stapleton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stapleton blocking some punches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Stapleton obliges.
Cassel tries to break free but Stapleton pushes him back against the ropes.
Cassel wants to get back to striking at distance but Stapleton won't allow it.
Cassel wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stapleton tries to work over Cassel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stapleton has Cassel pressed against the ropes, preventing Cassel from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stapleton lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Stapleton lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
Stapleton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cassel has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stapleton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cassel blocks a body shot from Stapleton.
Cassel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cassel can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Stapleton lands a nice knee to the body.
Cassel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stapleton lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stapleton landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Stapleton fails to land.
Stapleton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stapleton tries a body shot but Cassel blocks it.
Stapleton lands a knee to the head.
Stapleton lands a knee to the body.
Cassel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Stapleton scores with a shot to the side of Cassel's head.
Stapleton scores with a knee to the head.
Stapleton blocks an uppercut.
Stapleton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cassel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stapleton has him pressed against the ropes.
Stapleton misses with a punch to the body.
Stapleton has a couple of punches blocked by Cassel.
Stapleton using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Stapleton struggles to land a body shot inside as Cassel controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassel wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stapleton lands a good knee to the midsection. Cassel won't want to take too many of those.
Cassel is breathing heavily.
Stapleton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stapleton has a couple of punches blocked by Cassel.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stapleton.
Cassel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stapleton misses with a knee strike.
Stapleton tries to work over Cassel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cassel throws a punch but it's blocked by Stapleton.
Cassel has had enough of the clinch but Stapleton keeps him there for the moment.
Cassel is trying to push Stapleton away but Stapleton has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Stapleton misses with a body punch.
Stapleton landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Stapleton throws a head punch that misses.
Stapleton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cassel's elbow.
Cassel can't break the clinch.
Stapleton scores with a hook to the body.
Cassel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stapleton has him pressed against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Cassel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stapleton swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassel blocks a body shot from Stapleton.
Stapleton throws a punch but it's blocked by Cassel.
Stapleton is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Stapleton lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stapleton.
Cassel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stapleton misses with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Stapleton fails to land.
Stapleton throws a head punch that misses.
Stapleton lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cassel backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cassel is trying to force a seperation but Stapleton has the dominant position.
Stapleton lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cassel wants to get back to striking at distance but Stapleton won't allow it.
Stapleton working Cassel over with knees to the body.
Cassel has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cassel tries to break the clinch but Stapleton is controlling the position.
Stapleton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cassel is trying to break the clinch but Stapleton is controlling him.
Cassel is trying to push Stapleton away but Stapleton has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Stapleton crunches a lovely knee into Cassel's ribcage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saimon Cassel should take that round, based on the knockdown.
The cut man is working on Reggie Stapleton's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Cassel misses with a looping left.
Stapleton wants to counter with a clinch but Cassel pushes him away.
Cassel takes a swing at Stapleton's ribcage but misses.
Cassel scores with a sloppy right hand. Stapleton should have avoided that one.
Cassel looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stapleton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stapleton is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Stapleton throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stapleton jabs Cassel right on the nose. Cassel blinks but takes it well.
Good exchange - Stapleton coming out on top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassel throws a body shot but no joy.
Stapleton scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cassel loads up on a big right hand but Stapleton slips the punch.
Cassel connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cassel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stapleton ducks under a wild hook from Cassel.
Stapleton delivers a nice body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Cassel misses the target.
Cassel throws the left hand but Stapleton avoids the punch easily.
Cassel throws a big shot that misses.
Cassel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stapleton.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stapleton. That's going to slow Cassel down.
Stapleton turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Stapleton misses with a looping right.
Stapleton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cassel feints a jab promting Stapleton to slip. Cassel then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stapleton slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Cassel clips Stapleton with a right and a left that makes him do the chicken dance for a couple of seconds. He touched his left hand down on the canvas so the referee steps between the fighters to give Stapleton a standing 8 count before we can continue the bout.

Stapleton is rocked!
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!
Stapleton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassel.
Cassel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stapleton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cassel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stapleton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cassel throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stapleton keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cassel misses with a lunging right hand
and Stapleton counters with a nice kick to the body.
Stapleton takes one on the button.
Cassel swings for the body but Stapleton moves out of range.
Cassel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stapleton eats them both and turns towards Cassel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Cassel catches his opponent with a big hook that sends him to the canvas! Stapleton stumbles back to his feet but will the referee allow it to continue? Stapleton walks forwards and this one will be allowed to continue! Come on!
Stapleton is still on wobbly legs! Can Cassel finish him?
Cassel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Stapleton seems to have recovered his senses.
Cassel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Stapleton counters with a good low kick that Cassel was not able to check.
Some wild striking there from Cassel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassel on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cassel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stapleton! But no joy.

Cassel closes the distance and scores with a big combo that sends Stapleton crashing to the mat! Stapleton 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!
Cassel throws a jab but it's blocked by Stapleton.
Stapleton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stapleton lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cassel is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cassel misses with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cassel. Stapleton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stapleton lands a right hook to the body.
Stapleton dodges the punch combination from Cassel.
Saimon Cassel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A leg kick checked by Stapleton.
A jab lands there for Stapleton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton pushes Cassel away with a front kick.
Stapleton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassel.
Saimon Cassel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stapleton scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cassel doesn't seem bothered though.
Cassel throws a leg kick that misses.
Stapleton dodges the punch combination from Cassel.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stapleton.
Stapleton jabs at Cassel's body.
A nice combination there by Cassel.
Stapleton throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stapleton scores with a jab.
Cassel loads up on a big right hand but Stapleton slips the punch.
Cassel misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saimon Cassel takes the second round thanks to the knockdowns.
The cut man is working on Reggie Stapleton's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cassel misses with a double jab
and Stapleton counters with an outside leg kick.
Stapleton throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cassel swinging wildly here.
Cassel backing away here, and Stapleton unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Cassel throws a right and a left that Stapleton avoids nicely.
Stapleton scores with a jab. Cassel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A punch combination from Cassel misses.
Stapleton looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cassel looks to land a right hand but Stapleton moved out of range.
Stapleton thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cassel if he has to take too many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassel shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Stapleton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cassel.
Stapleton now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Stapleton throws a series of strikes that have Cassel backpedaling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stapleton with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stapleton throws a head kick that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Cassel misses its target.
Stapleton fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stapleton chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Stapleton walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cassel misses with a combination
enabling Stapleton to counter with a crisp jab.
Stapleton lunges at Cassel with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cassel's hand.
Cassel missing with a left hand there. Stapleton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stapleton feints a counter leg kick.
Cassel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A little jabbing left from Stapleton on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stapleton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cassel.
Stapleton looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stapleton explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Cassel throws a head kick that misses
and Stapleton counters with a low kick, right behind Cassel 's knee.
Cassel moves forwards but Stapleton connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cassel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cassel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stapleton connects with an inside leg kick.
Cassel misses with a two punch combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Stapleton.
A combination from Cassel does no damage.
Stapleton throws a right hand that Cassel ducks under and follows up with a left that Cassel also avoids with ease.
Stapleton lunges at Cassel with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cassel's hand.
Cassel throws the left hand but Stapleton avoids the punch easily.
Stapleton looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stapleton staying out of range there.
Stapleton feints and then cracks Cassel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cassel down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stapleton. Stapleton obviously looking to wear him down.
Cassel looks to land a combination but Stapleton avoids it well.
Cassel missing with a left hand there. Stapleton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cassel is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stapleton connects with a solid leg kick.
Stapleton lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cassel misses with a hook
and Stapleton counters with a leg kick.
Cassel misses with a lunging right hand
and Stapleton makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Cassel 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.
Stapleton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassel.
Stapleton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cassel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stapleton lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cassel on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cassel throws a head kick that misses.
Stapleton raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stapleton fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stapleton lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cassel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stapleton.
Stapleton staying out of range there.
Stapleton steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Cassel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cassel throws a chopping leg kick but Stapleton manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Cassel throws a right and a left that Stapleton avoids nicely.
Cassel will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Cassel throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Stapleton to counter with a crisp jab.
Stapleton throws a shot from downtown. Cassel moves away and avoids it.
Cassel closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Stapleton connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Good leg kick by Stapleton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cassel misses with a leg kick
and Stapleton counters with a three punch combo that has Cassel backing up. Cassel nods at Stapleton to acknowledge the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reggie Stapleton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stapleton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:24
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:24
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saimon Cassel!
Saimon Cassel was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Reggie Stapleton was interviewed post fight and said 'CHEATER ROIDER LOOSER, I BET YA AINT CLEAN.. WHAT?!'.