PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Jeremy Cross (ranked 1863 p4p, 3206 weight class) and Bleeding Spanner (ranked 194 p4p, 321 weight class). Cross's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Folk Metal. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cross
vs
Spanner

195 cm
28
250
12 - 5 - 0

202 cm
36
265
24 - 18 - 0

World class boxer
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jeremy Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bleeding Spanner!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross tests Spanner's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Bleeding Spanner has been cut.
Cross has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Finch Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Spanner fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Spanner moves out of range of the strikes.
Cross swings for the body but Spanner moves out of range.
Cross takes one to the side of the head.

Spanner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Spanner looking to throw knees to the head but Cross is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cross.
Cross makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cross avoids a wild elbow strike from Spanner.
A right hand to the body from Spanner.
Spanner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spanner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Spanner.
Cross goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Spanner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Spanner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spanner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cross lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cross gets through Spanner's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cross tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spanner's elbow.
Spanner lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
Spanner tries a knee to the head but Cross blocks it.
Cross misses with a punch to the body.
Spanner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Spanner scores with a shot to the side of Cross's head.
Spanner working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cross tries to work over Spanner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cross lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spanner prevents a body shot from Cross.

Cross breaks from the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Spanner blocks the leg kick.
Spanner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Spanner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cross throws a big shot that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Spanner moves into range and clinches up with Cross.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spanner scores with a hook to the body.
Cross blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Spanner lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Spanner connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cross's face.

It looks like Jeremy Cross has been cut.
Spanner pushes Cross back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spanner missing with knees to the body.
Spanner lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Cross blocks the elbow strike.
Cross throws a head punch that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Cross.
Spanner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Cross can't find room to land a body shot as Spanner controls the action.
Spanner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cross is defending well for now.
Spanner lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
Spanner misses with the head strike.
Cross is trying to force a seperation but Spanner has the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spanner lands an elbow inside that Cross shrugs off.
Spanner with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A right handed body shot lands from Spanner.
Spanner trying to land knees to the body.
Spanner tries a body shot but Cross blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bleeding Spanner dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Spanner doesn't manage to clinch there - Cross circles away.
Cross looks to throw the jab but Spanner is out of range.

Spanner clinches with his opponent.
A short body shot lands from Cross as the two fighters clinch.
Cross lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
A nice left hand lands by Cross.
Cross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Cross manages to break the clinch.
Spanner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cross is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Spanner closes the distance and clinches.
Cross avoids a wild elbow strike from Spanner.
Spanner looking to throw knees to the head but Cross is blocking nicely.
Spanner takes a shot to the head.
Cross throws a head punch that misses.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Spanner.

Cross breaks from the clinch.
Cross ducks under a wild hook from Spanner.

Spanner clinches up against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cross breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cross. That's going to slow Spanner down.
Cross is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Spanner.
Spanner is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spanner forces Cross back against the ropes and clinches.
Spanner landing knees to the head.
Cross lands a body punch in the clinch.
Spanner is breathing heavily.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Spanner throws a body punch but Cross moves out of range.
Jeremy Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross throws a looping overhand right but Spanner ducks down to avoid it.
Cross throws a shot from downtown. Spanner moves away and avoids it.
Spanner goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Cross throws a jab when Spanner was well out of range.
Spanner bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cross is looking to slow Spanner down with leg kicks.
Spanner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cross.
Spanner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Spanner lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jeremy Cross is winning the standup battle so far.
Spanner tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Cross manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cross swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Spanner darts in trying to clinch
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Cross counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circling - Cross throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cross pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spanner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Spanner is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Spanner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cross.
Spanner throws a head kick that misses.
Cross throws a jab when Spanner was well out of range.
Spanner bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spanner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Spanner.
Cross misses with a low kick.

Spanner clinches with his opponent.
Spanner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cross has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Spanner looking to throw knees to the head but Cross is blocking nicely.
Spanner lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
Cross is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Spanner's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Spanner scores with a shoulder strike.
Spanner blocks a body shot from Cross.
Spanner scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A left hand lands to the body for Cross.
Cross prevents a body shot from Spanner.

Cross manages to break the clinch.
Spanner throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cross's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jeremy Cross will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spanner blocks a jab.
Spanner lands with a hook. Cross tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Spanner blocks a jab.
Spanner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bleeding Spanner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross throws a leg kick
and Spanner counters with a stiff right hand.

Spanner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cross, pushing him back against the ropes.

Cross manages to break the clinch.
Spanner wants to clinch.

Spanner rushes Cross and presses him up against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cross pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Spanner takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cross looks to land a left hand but Spanner moved out of range nicely.

Spanner moves into the clinch.

Cross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spanner connects with a high kick.
Cross has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Spanner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cross throws a hook but Spanner avoids it easily.
Cross looks to land a right hand but Spanner moved out of range.
Spanner throws a big counter head kick but Cross avoids it with no problem.
Cross throws a hook but Spanner blocks it.
Cross misses the shot to the body.
Cross jabs at Spanner's body.
Spanner takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Despite the aggression on Spanner's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Spanner fails to land with a series of punches.
Spanner throws a head kick that misses.
Cross moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Spanner connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cross. Cross circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
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!
Spanner tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Spanner misses with a head kick.
Spanner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cross avoids the head kick by Spanner.
Cross throws a hook but Spanner avoids it easily.
Spanner looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Cross tries a low kick but Spanner avoids it.
Cross throws a jab but it's blocked by Spanner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross misses with a low kick as Spanner jumps back.

Spanner pushes Cross up against the ropes in a clinch.
Spanner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cross.
Cross managing to block the knees to the body from Spanner.
Cross tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spanner's elbow.
Spanner misses with an elbow strike.
Cross struggles to land a body shot inside as Spanner controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Spanner.
Cross swings wildly with an uppercut but Spanner uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Spanner creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Spanner is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Spanner lands with a right to the head.
Bleeding Spanner seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Spanner lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spanner lands with a right to the head.
Spanner lands an elbow that stopped Cross in his tracks for a moment.
Spanner makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Spanner has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Spanner tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cross tries to work over Spanner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bleeding Spanner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Spanner 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bleeding Spanner!
Bleeding Spanner 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.
The defeated Jeremy Cross had this to say: 'BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON!'.