|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Calzaghe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Player comes to the cage accompanied by Bettie Grind - I'm Floatin'. Joe Calzaghe will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.
 |
|
 |
| 170 cm
22
144 lbs
7 - 1 - 0 |
|
185 cm
26
158 lbs
9 - 6 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very strong |
|
BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Calzaghe!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Calzaghe with that takedown attempt.
Player works Calzaghe's body with a nice hook.
Calzaghe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Player throws out the jab.
Calzaghe avoids the body shot from Player.
Player wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A cross from Calzaghe lands.
Player cracks Calzaghe with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Player throws a shot to the body.
Calzaghe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Player just misses with a punch to the body.
Player throws a series of punches but Calzaghe avoids them all with ease.
Player throws a right and a left that both miss.
Player throws a big shot that misses.
Player misses the jab.
Player is looking to wear down Calzaghe with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Calzaghe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Player.
A combination from Player does no damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Player lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Calzaghe circles away quickly and effectively.
Calzaghe looks for a takedown but Player sprawls well.
Gary Player has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Calzaghe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Player avoids it really well and circles away.
Player lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Player throws a jab when Calzaghe was well out of range.
Calzaghe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Player circles away.
Calzaghe looks for a takedown but Player sprawls well.
Calzaghe looks gassed!
Calzaghe walks into a stiff left hand from Player.
Calzaghe moves out of range of the strikes.
Calzaghe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Player counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Calzaghe is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Calzaghe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Player.
Calzaghe closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player throws a combination. Calzaghe tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Player scores with a nice right hand.
Gary Player is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Player is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Calzaghe.
Player lands an overhand right.
Player lands a nice hook to Calzaghe's body. Calzaghe takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice shot by Player.
A looping hook to the body misses from Player. Calzaghe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Player throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Calzaghe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Player lands with a straight right. Calzaghe didn't see that one coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Calzaghe.
A jab from Player misses.
Player throws a shot from downtown. Calzaghe moves away and avoids it.
Player misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player leaves Calzaghe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Player is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Player's corner calls for a 1-2. Player obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Calzaghe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Player catches Calzaghe with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Calzaghe changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Player looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Player pushes Calzaghe away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Calzaghe gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Player keeps working.
Player is trying to escape the position but Calzaghe is controlling the position.
Calzaghe landing strikes.
Player is trying to buck Calzaghe off.
Player is not content to let Calzaghe control the position.
Player tries to escape but Calzaghe is in control.
Calzaghe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Player keeps working.
Calzaghe thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gary Player dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Calzaghe tries for a takedown but Player sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Player throws a nice looking combination but Calzaghe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Calzaghe shoots in for a takedown but Player shows good takedown defense.
Jab from Player.
Player goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Player with a nice cross.
Player swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Calzaghe counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Calzaghe tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Player smiles and moves away.
Gary Player has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Player throws a good cross that connects.
Calzaghe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Player misses with a two punch combination.
Player misses with a series of wild punches.
The fighters circling - Player throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Player throws a series of strikes that have Calzaghe backpedaling.
Calzaghe slips a jab and a cross from Player.
Player is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Danga de danga de dang - Player scores with a four punch combination!
Player connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Calzaghe's hands.
Player misses with a series of wild punches.
Player misses with a jab, cross combination.
Player throws a left and a right that both miss
and Calzaghe counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Player wants to get back to his feet but Calzaghe is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Player trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Player might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Player keeping full guard, as Calzaghe tries to pass.
Calzaghe trying to control but Player is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Player keeping full guard, as Calzaghe tries to pass.
Calzaghe trying to control the position from guard on top but Player is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Calzaghe was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Calzaghe walks into a straight right hand from Player.
Player closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Player misses the shot to the body.
Calzaghe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player cracks Calzaghe with an open hand slap.
Calzaghe gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Calzaghe drops his hands momentarily and Player takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Player swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Calzaghe counters with a single leg into guard. Player didn't expect that.
Player is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Player keeping moving, preventing Calzaghe from controlling successfully.
Player wants to stand but Calzaghe is controlling the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Player swivels though and keeps the full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Calzaghe is pushing down on Player's leg trying to pass to half guard. Player is fighting to maintain full guard but Calzaghe has managed to sneak the leg through.
Calzaghe content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Player tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Calzaghe manages to move to mount!
Calzaghe controlling the pace for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Player is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Calzaghe lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Calzaghe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
A decent looking cross lands there for Player.
Player throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Calzaghe on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Calzaghe thows a body shot but no joy.
Calzaghe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Player.
Player lands a head shot.
Some wild striking there from Player.
Player lands the left hand.
Calzaghe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Player throws a right and a left that Calzaghe avoids nicely.
Player misses with a two punch combination.
Player misses with a double jab.
Calzaghe looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Player gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Calzaghe stops Player from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Calzaghe is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Calzaghe with a flurry of punches that miss.
Calzaghe showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Joe Calzaghe.
Player misses with a double jab
and Calzaghe counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Player throws a body punch but Calzaghe moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player misses with a looping right.
Gary Player is winning the standup battle so far.
Calzaghe avoids the body shot from Player.
Gary Player is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed right hand from Player misses the target.
Player looks to land a combination but Calzaghe avoids it well.
Player waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Calzaghe.
Calzaghe has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A big left from Player misses.
Calzaghe is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Player.
Player looks to land a right hand but Calzaghe moved out of range.
Player displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Player misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Player fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Player throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Calzaghe counters with a shoot takedown. Player fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe wants to control from the top but Player keeps moving.
Calzaghe stops Player from standing up.
Player keeping moving, preventing Calzaghe from controlling successfully.
Player wants to stand but Calzaghe is controlling the position.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Calzaghe was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Calzaghe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Player misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gary Player seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Player throws a combination. Calzaghe tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Player swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Calzaghe jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Player defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Calzaghe.
Calzaghe shoots and misses
and Player counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gary Player has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Player lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Calzaghe circles away quickly and effectively.
Good exchange - Player coming out on top.
Nice defenses there by Calzaghe.
Calzaghe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Player circles away.
Calzaghe dives in and grabs Player's left leg, looking for a takedown. Player pushes down on Calzaghe's head and hops out.
Player cracks Calzaghe with an open hand slap.
A telegraphed right hand from Player misses the target.
Calzaghe slips a jab and a cross from Player.
Player swings for the body but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Player looks to land a right hand but Calzaghe moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Calzaghe really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Player lands a body shot.
Player's corner calls for a 1-2. Player obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Player throws a series of punches but Calzaghe avoids them all with ease.
Calzaghe defending well as Player loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheers as Player lands an impressive looking overhand right. Calzaghe doesn't seem phased though.
A jab lands there for Player.
Player will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Calzaghe gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Player misses with a two punch combination.
A swing and a miss from Player.
Player swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Calzaghe counters with a left and a right that stings Player.
Calzaghe shoots in but no luck this time.
Calzaghe is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Player swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Player lands with a straight right. Calzaghe didn't see that one coming.
Player throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Calzaghe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Calzaghe takes the fight into the clinch.
Calzaghe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Calzaghe throws a combination that misses
and Player counters with a three punch combo that has Calzaghe backing up. Calzaghe nods at Player to acknowledge the strikes.
Calzaghe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Player sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Player lands a jab to the head.
Player falls off balance throwing a combination
and Calzaghe counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Calzaghe.
Calzaghe keeps control of Player as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Player manages to break the clinch.
Calzaghe walks into a straight right hand from Player.
Player connects with a good right hand that stumbles Calzaghe. Calzaghe circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Player.
Player misses with a double jab.
Player lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Calzaghe backs up against the cage.
Player misses with a two punch combination.
Player connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Calzaghe's hands.
Calzaghe avoids the body shot from Player.
Player lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Calzaghe backs up against the cage.
A punch combination from Player misses.
Player connects with a looping right hand.
Player throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Calzaghe on the side of the head.
Player is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Calzaghe.
A punch combination from Player misses.
Calzaghe takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Player lands with a shot to the body.
Player thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice body punch from Player.
A jab lands there for Player.
A decent looking cross lands there for Player.
Calzaghe shoots in and gets a takedown into Player's guard.
Player wants to stand up but Calzaghe is controlling him.
Calzaghe wants to pass the guard but Player is keeping the position.
Player kicks Calzaghe off and gets to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe misses with a head kick.
Player throws a series of punches but Calzaghe avoids them all with ease.
A head kick from Calzaghe lands but Player takes it in his stride.
Player throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Calzaghe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Player throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Player throws a big shot that misses.
Nice defenses there by Calzaghe.
Player avoids the head kick by Calzaghe.
Player throws a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Player misses its intended target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Calzaghe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gary Player had his way with Joe Calzaghe in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Player digs a good body shot into Calzaghe's ribs.
Calzaghe ducks under a wild hook from Player.
Player throws a hook but Calzaghe avoids it easily.
Player throws the left hand but Calzaghe avoids the punch easily.
Calzaghe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Player counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fighters circling - Player throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Calzaghe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Calzaghe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Player pinned against the cage. Player gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Calzaghe takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Player moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Calzaghe is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Player listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Player scores with a three punch combo!
Player scores with a body shot.
Player jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Player paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Player misses with an uppercut. Calzaghe saw that one coming.
Player falls off balance throwing a combination
and Calzaghe counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Calzaghe.
Player has had enough of the clinch but Calzaghe keeps him there for the moment.
Player tries to break free but Calzaghe pushes him back against the cage.
Calzaghe prevents Player from breaking the clinch.
Calzaghe dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Player is trying to break the clinch but Calzaghe is controlling him.
Player wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Player has had enough of the clinch but Calzaghe keeps him there for the moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Calzaghe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Player misses with a looping left.
Player misses with a straight right.
Calzaghe is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Calzaghe shoots in for a takedown but Player shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Player scores with a jab to the body.
Player lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Player misses with a wild combination.
Player misses with a straight left.
Player swings away with a body shot that misses
and Calzaghe moves into the clinch.
Player is trying to break the clinch but Calzaghe has him pressed against the cage.
Player manages to break the clinch.
Player cracks Calzaghe with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Calzaghe is defended easily by Player.
Gary Player has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Player throws a shot from downtown. Calzaghe moves away and avoids it.
Player fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Calzaghe misses with a wild combination.
Player throws a hook but Calzaghe avoids it easily.
Player jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Player lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Player.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Player misses with a shot to the body
and Calzaghe counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Player tries to bum rush Calzaghe with a series of wild strikes but Calzaghe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Some wild striking there from Player.
Player looks to land a combination but Calzaghe avoids it well.
Player misses with a double jab
and Calzaghe moves into the clinch.
Player is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Player has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Player is looking to break free of the clinch but Calzaghe has double underhooks.
Player is trying to push Calzaghe away but Calzaghe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Calzaghe keeps control of Player as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Calzaghe cracks Player with a nice body shot.
Player breaks the clinch.
Player cracks Calzaghe with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Player darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Player showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Player 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Player!
Gary Player retains his featherweight title!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
78% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
