PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rod De Minaur (ranked 7 p4p, 12 weight class) and Ryoto Takahashi (ranked 1 p4p, 2 weight class). De Minaur comes to the cage accompanied by Seek and Destroy . Ryoto Takahashi acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

De Minaur
vs
Takahashi

177 cm
34
157
37 - 10 - 1

175 cm
34
160
33 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

NARCOS
HELL'S BALLS NUTRITION

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Rod De Minaur!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryoto Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Minaur staying out of range there.
Takahashi moves out of range of the body kick.
Takahashi misses with the body kick
and De Minaur counters with a nice body kick.

Takahashi clinches up with De Minaur and pushes him back against the cage.
Takahashi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. De Minaur smiles and moves away.
Takahashi is looking to chop away at De Minaur's legs.
Takahashi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takahashi throws a body punch but De Minaur moves out of range.
Takahashi ducks under a wild hook from De Minaur.
A nice side step and Takahashi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Takahashi stuns De Minaur with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Takahashi looks to land a left hand but De Minaur moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Takahashi has closed the distance and engaged De Minaur in a clinch.
Takahashi tries to pull guard but De Minaur won't allow it.
De Minaur misses with a hook from the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
De Minaur stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Takahashi jumps guard but De Minaur turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rod De Minaur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryoto Takahashi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Minaur tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
De Minaur working some nice short punches in the clinch.
De Minaur lands an uppercut.
De Minaur has a couple of punches blocked by Takahashi.
De Minaur leaning against his opponent.
Takahashi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. De Minaur smiles and moves away.
De Minaur throws a leg kick but Takahashi checks it.
Takahashi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Takahashi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Minaur.
De Minaur avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like De Minaur was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Takahashi.
De Minaur takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Takahashi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
De Minaur throws a shot from downtown. Takahashi moves away and avoids it.
Takahashi throws a lazy right hand but De Minaur sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice straight punches there by Takahashi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Takahashi.
The fighters circling - Takahashi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A left lands for Takahashi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takahashi throws a low kick but De Minaur avoids it.
Takahashi throws a low kick but De Minaur moves out of range easily.
De Minaur feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Takahashi throws an off balance right hand
and De Minaur counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
De Minaur tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Takahashi is able to avoid easily.
De Minaur thows a left - swing and a miss!
Takahashi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by De Minaur.
Takahashi looks to land a left hand but De Minaur moved out of range nicely.
Takahashi has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ryoto Takahashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takahashi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck De Minaur on the side of the head.
De Minaur throws a leg kick that misses.
Takahashi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
De Minaur takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A big right from Takahashi misses.
De Minaur throws a hook but Takahashi avoids it easily.
De Minaur works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
De Minaur misses with a hook.
Takahashi scores with a hook to the body. De Minaur takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur throws out a loose jab but Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
De Minaur blocks the body kick.
An inside leg kick from De Minaur misses.
De Minaur waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takahashi.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Takahashi - that will leave a mark!
Takahashi throws a leg kick but De Minaur sees it coming and moves out of range.
Takahashi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takahashi throws a poor cross that misses
and De Minaur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut. De Minaur saw that one coming.
De Minaur was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Takahashi misses with a body shot.
Takahashi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Takahashi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
De Minaur misses with a hook to the body
and Takahashi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Takahashi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A counter left hand to the body from De Minaur misses its target.

Takahashi takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur swings wildly with an uppercut but Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
De Minaur lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takahashi fails to pull guard.
De Minaur gets through Takahashi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Takahashi misses with a punch to the body.
De Minaur working aggressively here.
De Minaur tries a body shot but Takahashi blocks it.
Takahashi tries to pull guard but De Minaur holds him up against the cage and eventually Takahashi drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from De Minaur.
A quick uppercut on the inside from De Minaur.

Takahashi jumps guard.

Takahashi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but De Minaur can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as De Minaur accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ryoto Takahashi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Takahashi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from De Minaur.
Takahashi just misses with a punch to the body.
Takahashi loads up on a big right hand but De Minaur slips the punch.
Nice jab there from Takahashi.
Takahashi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Takahashi misses with a lunging right hand
enabling De Minaur to counter with a crisp jab.
Takahashi misses with a hook. De Minaur ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick from De Minaur misses.
A good leg kick by Takahashi.
De Minaur takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice jab there from Takahashi.
De Minaur is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Takahashi.
Takahashi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Takahashi lands a head 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!
A slapping leg kick lands for De Minaur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Minaur throws a good cross that connects.
Takahashi misses with a wild body shot.
A kick lands to the mid section there for De Minaur.
Takahashi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takahashi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A big left from Takahashi misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from De Minaur. Takahashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takahashi throws a lazy body kick
and De Minaur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Takahashi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Takahashi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Takahashi throws a jab when De Minaur was well out of range.
Takahashi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent De Minaur stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
De Minaur looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Takahashi throws a body kick that misses.
Takahashi throws a hook but De Minaur avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takahashi moves away.
Takahashi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from De Minaur.
Takahashi tries to score with a low kick but De Minaur moves his leg out of the way.
De Minaur displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Takahashi throws out the jab.
Takahashi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and De Minaur connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takahashi scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Minaur lands with an uppercut that bounces Takahashi off the cage and back into range.
Takahashi throws a leg kick that is checked
and De Minaur counters with a nice kick to the body.
Takahashi throws a big shot that misses.
De Minaur lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
De Minaur lands a right hook to the body.
Takahashi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
De Minaur walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ryoto Takahashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
De Minaur lands with a good body shot.
Takahashi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi blocks a low kick nicely.
Takahashi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
De Minaur is looking to counter with a body kick.
De Minaur connects with a body shot that sends Takahashi's belly button to the back.
De Minaur scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Takahashi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from De Minaur.
Takahashi throws an overhand right that lands on De Minaur's shoulder, as De Minaur tries to avoid the shot.
Takahashi misses with a hook.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circling - De Minaur throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takahashi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
De Minaur fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takahashi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice cross by De Minaur.
De Minaur stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takahashi.
De Minaur misses with a looping left.
De Minaur misses with a hook.
Takahashi lands a jab to De Minaur's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi thows a left - swing and a miss!
De Minaur throws a hook but Takahashi avoids it easily.
De Minaur lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takahashi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before De Minaur can pounce on him.
De Minaur scores with a kick to the body.
Takahashi throws a leg kick but De Minaur sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Takahashi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takahashi.
Takahashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A telegraphed right hand from De Minaur misses the target.
Takahashi pivots, looking for a leg kick but De Minaur is out of range and Takahashi settles back down.
Takahashi throws a head kick but De Minaur moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as De Minaur lands an impressive looking overhand right. Takahashi doesn't seem phased though.
Takahashi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps De Minaur's head backwards.
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 Rod De Minaur will probably get the nod.
That's time! De Minaur's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Takahashi misses with a kick to the body.
De Minaur on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
De Minaur steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takahashi.
De Minaur defending well as Takahashi loads up on a big left hand.
De Minaur appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
De Minaur checks a low kick from Takahashi.
De Minaur throwing a counter right hand but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
De Minaur throws a right hand that misses
and Takahashi counters with a low kick, right behind De Minaur 's knee.
De Minaur ducks under a wild hook from Takahashi.
Takahashi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Takahashi misses the body punch
and De Minaur counters with a nice leg kick.
Takahashi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by De Minaur.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Minaur getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Takahashi connects with the punch.
Takahashi throws a leg kick
and De Minaur cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takahashi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before De Minaur has time to react.
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!
Takahashi slips under a jab from De Minaur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Minaur throws an off balance right hand
and Takahashi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
De Minaur misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takahashi.
A big right from Takahashi misses.
Takahashi throws a nice looking combination but De Minaur bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Takahashi.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Minaur uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut.
De Minaur takes a swing at Takahashi's ribcage but misses.
Takahashi just misses with a punch to the body.
Takahashi takes one to the chin there.
De Minaur goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
De Minaur bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Takahashi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
De Minaur is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi lands a nice shot that snaps De Minaur's head back.
A shot to the body from Takahashi misses
and De Minaur counters with an inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
De Minaur slips a straight right by Takahashi.
A solid leg kick lands there for De Minaur.
A big right from De Minaur misses.
A jab lands there for De Minaur.
A jab from De Minaur misses.
Takahashi throws a looping overhand right but De Minaur ducks down to avoid it.
Takahashi misses with a lunging right hand
and De Minaur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
De Minaur on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Takahashi thows a left - swing and a miss!
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Minaur scores with a nice strike.
Takahashi connects with a nice looking jab.
Takahashi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi tries to clinch up.
Takahashi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and De Minaur counters with a low kick, right behind Takahashi 's knee.
De Minaur looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takahashi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Takahashi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract De Minaur.
Takahashi looks to land a body kick but De Minaur moved away.
A little feinted left hand from De Minaur on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
De Minaur lands with a right hand.
Takahashi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
De Minaur fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
Takahashi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Takahashi throws a right hand that misses
letting De Minaur counter with a right hand.
De Minaur uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takahashi.
De Minaur ducks under a wild hook from Takahashi.
De Minaur looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Takahashi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
De Minaur waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takahashi.
Takahashi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi looks to throw the jab but De Minaur is out of range.
De Minaur feinted there with a counter leg kick.
De Minaur misses with a hook. Takahashi ducked under it nicely.
Takahashi takes a jab right on the kisser.
De Minaur throws a half hearted mid kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takahashi slips a jab from De Minaur.
A little jabbing left from Takahashi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
De Minaur walks into a stiff left hand from Takahashi.
De Minaur keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Takahashi misses with a wild body shot.
Takahashi throws a shot from downtown. De Minaur moves away and avoids it.
De Minaur looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Takahashi misses with an uppercut. De Minaur saw that one coming.
De Minaur takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Takahashi missing with a left hand there. De Minaur was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
De Minaur blocks a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from De Minaur.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ryoto Takahashi just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takahashi lands the left hand.
De Minaur swings for the body but Takahashi moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by De Minaur.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Minaur moves out of range of the strikes.
Takahashi scores with the left hand. De Minaur knows he should have avoided that one.
Takahashi misses the shot to the body.
Takahashi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Takahashi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. De Minaur checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
De Minaur takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Takahashi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
De Minaur lands a jab to Takahashi's midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Minaur scores with a jab to the head.
Takahashi throws a looping overhand right but De Minaur ducks down to avoid it.
De Minaur was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
De Minaur connects with a jab.
De Minaur keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi moves away from the strike by De Minaur.
Takahashi misses with a head kick.
Takahashi misses with a looping left.
Takahashi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
De Minaur slips under a jab.
De Minaur throwing a counter right hand but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts De Minaur, as that shot connected.
De Minaur misses with a hook.
Takahashi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
De Minaur slips a jab from Takahashi.
Takahashi misses with the body kick
and De Minaur counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
De Minaur throws a looping overhand right but Takahashi ducks down to avoid it.
De Minaur thumps Takahashi with a low kick.
De Minaur takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Takahashi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi throws a right hand that misses
and De Minaur counters with a right hand to the body.
Good shot there by De Minaur.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takahashi connects with a leg kick.
Takahashi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. De Minaur sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Takahashi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Minaur.
A low kick from Takahashi is predictable there
and De Minaur counters with a stiff right hand.
Takahashi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. De Minaur manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Takahashi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Takahashi tries to score with a low kick but De Minaur moves his leg out of the way.
Takahashi scores with a nice right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Takahashi.
De Minaur lands with a good body shot.
De Minaur misses with a hook
and Takahashi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
De Minaur throws a hook but Takahashi avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
De Minaur lands a jab to Takahashi's midsection.
No joy there for De Minaur, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takahashi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
De Minaur throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
De Minaur dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takahashi. That did some damage!
Takahashi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
De Minaur staying out of range there.
De Minaur throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takahashi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Minaur was well out of range. Poor timing from Takahashi.
Takahashi swings for the body but De Minaur moves out of range.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Minaur scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Takahashi throws a right hand that misses
letting De Minaur counter with a right hand.
Nice shot lands for De Minaur.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi looks to land a body kick but De Minaur moved away.
Takahashi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
De Minaur's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Takahashi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! De Minaur scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donk. Takahashi catches De Minaur right on the button with a cross.
De Minaur avoids the body shot from Takahashi.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Takahashi connects with a right hand. De Minaur shakes it off.
Jab from De Minaur.
De Minaur cracks a nice hook into Takahashi's ribs.
Takahashi tries to clinch but De Minaur moves out of range.
Takahashi misses the jab.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Minaur throws a body punch but Takahashi moves out of range.
De Minaur lands with an overhand left.
De Minaur moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rod De Minaur will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Good standup being displayed there by Takahashi as he connects with a hook.
Takahashi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
De Minaur fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Takahashi checks it well.
Takahashi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Takahashi misses with a body shot.
Takahashi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Takahashi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
De Minaur fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
De Minaur throws out a leg kick but Takahashi moves out of range and De Minaur only half commits.
That kick from De Minaur tenderised Takahashi's leg. Takahashi is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takahashi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but De Minaur circles away quickly and effectively.
Takahashi misses with a wild body shot.
Takahashi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A slow jab from Takahashi misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Minaur steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takahashi.
A swing and a miss from Takahashi.
Takahashi throws a right hand that misses
and De Minaur counters with a left to the body.
Takahashi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by De Minaur.
De Minaur avoids the body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi throws out a loose jab but De Minaur uses good head movement to avoid it.
De Minaur half committed to a counter leg kick.
De Minaur connects with a right hand. Takahashi shakes it off.
De Minaur moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Takahashi blocks a jab.
De Minaur displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Takahashi throws out the jab.
De Minaur throwing a counter right hand but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
Takahashi scores with a jab to the head.
Takahashi thows a leg kick but De Minaur checks it
and De Minaur counters with a nice leg kick.
De Minaur lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Takahashi thuds his shin into the meat of De Minaur's side.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Minaur scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice cross by Takahashi.
De Minaur walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
De Minaur changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
De Minaur fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Takahashi on the side of the head.
De Minaur getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
De Minaur connects with an inside leg kick.
Takahashi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between De Minaur's hands.
Takahashi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and De Minaur counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Takahashi throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A swing and a miss from De Minaur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from De Minaur misses.
De Minaur changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Takahashi misses with a body kick.
Takahashi throws a jab when De Minaur was well out of range.
Takahashi just misses with a punch to the body.
De Minaur swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
No joy there for Takahashi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Takahashi throws an off balance right hand
and De Minaur counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
De Minaur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De Minaur throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
De Minaur misses with a wild body shot.
Takahashi connects with a crisp jab.
De Minaur avoids the body shot from Takahashi.
Takahashi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Minaur misses with a lunging right hand
and Takahashi counters with a body kick.
De Minaur misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takahashi.
Takahashi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Takahashi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
De Minaur with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Minaur bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Takahashi's head backwards.
De Minaur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De Minaur throws a leg kick which misses Takahashi's front leg but catches the back leg as Takahashi tries to avoid it.
Takahashi looks to throw the jab but De Minaur is out of range.
De Minaur throwing a counter right hand but Takahashi manages to avoid it.
De Minaur missing with a left hand there. Takahashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Takahashi misses with a hook. De Minaur ducked under it nicely.
Takahashi takes one to the side of the head.
Takahashi throws a low kick, looking for De Minaur's leg but De Minaur calmly moves out of range.
De Minaur moves out of range as Takahashi throws a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rod De Minaur.
I think De Minaur has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 49:47
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rod De Minaur!
Rod De Minaur retains his lightweight title!
Post fight, Rod De Minaur stared into the camera and said 'Some fans where missing my KO's, well...'.