PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Michał Kowalkiewicz (ranked 1968 p4p, 4622 weight class) and Elmore James (ranked 276 p4p, 529 weight class). James has chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMfD2O9Gds as his entrance music. Michał Kowalkiewicz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kowalkiewicz
vs
James

195 cm
26
188
9 - 3 - 0

172 cm
37
167
19 - 20 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Fast

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michał Kowalkiewicz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 20 - 1, fighting out of New York, Elmore James!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalkiewicz closes the distance but James moves to the side
letting James counter with a right hand.
Kowalkiewicz tries a head kick but it misses.
A bone on bone clash there as James blocks the leg kick.
A countering left hand to the body from James misses.

Kowalkiewicz closes the distance and pushes James back into the ropes.
James tries to break free but Kowalkiewicz pushes him back against the ropes.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kowalkiewicz pushes James back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
I was talking to Kowalkiewicz's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
James can't break the clinch.
James tries to land knees in the clinch but Kowalkiewicz avoids the damage to the body.
Kowalkiewicz managing to block the knees to the body from James.
James is trying to break the clinch but Kowalkiewicz is controlling him.
Kowalkiewicz throws a head punch that misses.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James prevents a body shot from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kowalkiewicz wants to clinch up but James keeps it at a distance.
As Kowalkiewicz backs off James throws a huge counter combo but Kowalkiewicz manages to avoid it all.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up
enabling James to counter with a crisp jab.
James takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kowalkiewicz paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! James crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kowalkiewicz - the referee stops the clock and James gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kowalkiewicz. James manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalkiewicz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Kowalkiewicz has managed to clinch.
A shot in the inside from Kowalkiewicz.
James is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kowalkiewicz is defending well for now.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kowalkiewicz.
James throws a lazy uppercut
and Kowalkiewicz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz with a nice cross.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up.
James looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Kowalkiewicz moves into range and clinches up with James.
A short right from James.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kowalkiewicz lands a nice shot to the body.
Kowalkiewicz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
James tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kowalkiewicz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
James lands a nice hook to Kowalkiewicz's body. Kowalkiewicz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kowalkiewicz manages to avoid it.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up.
Kowalkiewicz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A punch combination from Kowalkiewicz misses.
Kowalkiewicz lands a glancing blow to the side of James's head.
James has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kowalkiewicz connects with a looping right hand.
A cross from Kowalkiewicz lands.
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kowalkiewicz throws a good cross that connects.
Kowalkiewicz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but James manages to avoid it.
James appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
Kowalkiewicz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Kowalkiewicz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Despite the aggression on James's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kowalkiewicz moves into the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kowalkiewicz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
James gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a punch on the inside.
James tries to land knees in the clinch but Kowalkiewicz avoids the damage to the body.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
James misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands a shot to the body.
Kowalkiewicz lands a nice uppercut.
Kowalkiewicz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
Kowalkiewicz has a couple of punches blocked by James.
A hook to the body from James.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kowalkiewicz lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Kowalkiewicz wants to stall.
Kowalkiewicz tries a body shot but James blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michał Kowalkiewicz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kowalkiewicz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and James is able to avoid easily.
James walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kowalkiewicz.
James throws a series of punches but Kowalkiewicz avoids them all with ease.
James's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and James duly obliges.
James misses with a wild combination.
Nice straight punches there by Kowalkiewicz. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kowalkiewicz.
James looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kowalkiewicz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Michał Kowalkiewicz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kowalkiewicz connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kowalkiewicz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalkiewicz connects with a crisp jab.
James takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
Elmore James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab lands there for Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz looks to land a body kick but James moved away.
Kowalkiewicz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Good shot there by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz tests James's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kowalkiewicz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of James's head.
Kowalkiewicz jabs James to the body, keeping him at a distance.
James takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.
Kowalkiewicz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
Kowalkiewicz slips a jab and a cross from James.
James has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kowalkiewicz finds it's way round the side to connect with James's head.
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!
Kowalkiewicz throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
James has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James misses the shot to the body.
Kowalkiewicz lands a leg kick that knocks James off balance momentarily.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch there but James circles away.

James clinches up against the ropes.
James wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kowalkiewicz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of James backwards.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
James breaks from the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
James misses with a body shot
and Kowalkiewicz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kowalkiewicz connects with a leg kick.
Kowalkiewicz lands a jab to James's midsection.
James loads up on a big right hand but Kowalkiewicz slips the punch.
A quick step to the side and Kowalkiewicz tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalkiewicz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping James at a distance.
Michał Kowalkiewicz is winning the standup battle so far.
James is breathing heavily.

Kowalkiewicz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Nice body punch from Kowalkiewicz - that landed with a thud.
James is trying to break the clinch but Kowalkiewicz has him pressed against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James manages to break the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz looking to land some kicks to the body here.

James moves into the clinch successfully.
Kowalkiewicz cracks James with a nice body shot.
Kowalkiewicz lands a nice shot to the body.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Michał Kowalkiewicz has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kowalkiewicz lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kowalkiewicz.
A right hook to the body lands for Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kowalkiewicz lands a right hand.

James is rocked!
Kowalkiewicz lands a shot to the body.
James is still on wobbly legs! Can Kowalkiewicz finish him?
Kowalkiewicz misses with the head strike.
James seems to have recovered his senses.
Kowalkiewicz lands a shoulder strike.
Kowalkiewicz works on James's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a short shot to the head.
Kowalkiewicz trying to control the position but instead, James has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kowalkiewicz into the ropes.
Kowalkiewicz tries a body shot but James blocks it.
A body shot lands from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz tries a body shot but James blocks it.
Come on Kowalkiewicz - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kowalkiewicz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kowalkiewicz stalling the fight.
Kowalkiewicz tries a body shot but James blocks it.
James tries to break the clinch but Kowalkiewicz is controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice body punch from Kowalkiewicz - that landed with a thud.
Kowalkiewicz lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Kowalkiewicz on the inside.
James wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michał Kowalkiewicz dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kowalkiewicz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kowalkiewicz connects with a crisp jab.
Kowalkiewicz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Kowalkiewicz rushes James and presses him up against the ropes.
James blocks a body shot from Kowalkiewicz.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
James blocks a body shot from Kowalkiewicz.
James blocks a body shot from Kowalkiewicz.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kowalkiewicz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James blocks an uppercut.
James throws an elbow but it's blocked.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch lands to the side of James 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kowalkiewicz scores with a leg kick.
A combination from James does no damage.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz is looking to slow James down with leg kicks.
Kowalkiewicz feints and then cracks James's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow James down.
Kowalkiewicz tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James throws a series of punches but Kowalkiewicz moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Kowalkiewicz tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands a slapping body shot.

Kowalkiewicz clinches.
James's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a punch to the body.
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
James has had enough of the clinch but Kowalkiewicz keeps him there for the moment.
Kowalkiewicz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kowalkiewicz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Kowalkiewicz won't allow it.
James tries a knee to the head but Kowalkiewicz blocks it.
Kowalkiewicz prevents James from breaking the clinch.
James blocks an uppercut.
Kowalkiewicz lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kowalkiewicz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a short head shot on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short right from Kowalkiewicz on the inside.
Kowalkiewicz taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz lands a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a body punch.
Kowalkiewicz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
James tries to circle away but Kowalkiewicz has him pinned against the ropes.
Kowalkiewicz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kowalkiewicz has him pressed against the ropes.
Kowalkiewicz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.
James using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kowalkiewicz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kowalkiewicz looking to slow down the pace here.
Kowalkiewicz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Kowalkiewicz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! James crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kowalkiewicz - the referee stops the clock and James gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kowalkiewicz. James manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kowalkiewicz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kowalkiewicz manages to avoid it.
Kowalkiewicz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kowalkiewicz scores with a jab to the body.
A left lands for Kowalkiewicz.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
James appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. James doesn't seem bothered though.

Kowalkiewicz instigates a clinch.
James misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kowalkiewicz.
A short uppercut from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kowalkiewicz lands a body shot in the clinch.
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!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a punch to the body.
Kowalkiewicz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.
Kowalkiewicz prevents James from breaking the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kowalkiewicz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.
Kowalkiewicz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kowalkiewicz lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz lands a body shot.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a body punch.
James blocks a body shot from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz stalling in the clinch but James improves position.
Nice body punch from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz is struggling to control the position.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Elmore James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michał Kowalkiewicz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kowalkiewicz lands with a short punch from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michał Kowalkiewicz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kowalkiewicz 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michał Kowalkiewicz!