PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Marko Hanttonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blubber Ball (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ball has chosen Murder was the case as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hanttonen
vs
Ball

171 cm
21
203 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

188 cm
24
199 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marko Hanttonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blubber Ball!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ball throws a leg kick that misses.
Ball avoids the body shot from Hanttonen.
Ball lands with an uppercut that bounces Hanttonen off the ropes and back into range.
Hanttonen misses with a combination
and Ball counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hanttonen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hanttonen throws a series of punches but Ball avoids them all with ease.
Hanttonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hanttonen throws a right hand that Ball ducks under and follows up with a left that Ball also avoids with ease.

Hanttonen clinches.
Hanttonen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ball blocks it with crossed arms.
Ball is trying to force a seperation but Hanttonen has the dominant position.
Ball takes a shot to the head.
Hanttonen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ball looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hanttonen misses with a punch to the body.
Ball misses with some punches.
Ball tries a body shot but Hanttonen blocks it.
Hanttonen lands an elbow just above Ball 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanttonen blocks a body shot from Ball.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen tries to work over Ball's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hanttonen scores with a hook to the body.
Hanttonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hanttonen scores with a hook to the body.
Ball makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hanttonen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hanttonen scores with a shoulder strike.
A short left from Hanttonen.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hanttonen trying to land knees to the body.
Hanttonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ball misses with a punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ball goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hanttonen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hanttonen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Hanttonen.
Hanttonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Ball is trying to break free.
Hanttonen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ball looks winded!
Hanttonen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Hanttonen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Hanttonen as the two fighters clinch.
Hanttonen works on Ball's body with a couple of short punches.
Hanttonen gets through Ball's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hanttonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen pushes Ball back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
A short right from Hanttonen on the inside.
A short left from Hanttonen.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanttonen lands a shoulder strike.
Hanttonen is leaning against Ball and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hanttonen presses Ball against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hanttonen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hanttonen lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Hanttonen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ball dodges the punch combination from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Hanttonen misses.
Hanttonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Ball swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hanttonen throws a poor cross that misses
and Ball makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ball lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hanttonen will feel that in the morning.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hanttonen, right into the meat.
Nice shot by Hanttonen.
Ball is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hanttonen.
Hanttonen throws a series of punches but Ball avoids them all with ease.
Ball throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hanttonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Marko Hanttonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Donk. Hanttonen catches Ball right on the button with a cross.
Marko Hanttonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball pushes Hanttonen away with a front kick.
Ball looks to land a body kick but Hanttonen moved away.
Ball swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ball loads up on a big right hand but Hanttonen slips the punch.
Ball tries a head kick but it misses.
Hanttonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ball keeps the fight on the outside.
Hanttonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hanttonen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hanttonen misses with a hook
and Ball counters with a nice body kick.

Hanttonen instigates a clinch.
Hanttonen tries to throw a body punch but Ball avoids it by throwing Hanttonen back against the ropes.
Hanttonen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ball can do to turn this around?
A shot in the inside from Ball.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Hanttonen.
Ball's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
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!
Hanttonen misses with a punch to the body.
Ball wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ball misses with a punch on the inside.
Hanttonen gets through Ball's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ball working aggressively here.
Ball misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Ball fails to land.
Hanttonen can't find room to land a body shot as Ball controls the action.
Hanttonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
Ball misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hanttonen is working Ball over against the ropes.
Hanttonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.
Hanttonen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Hanttonen dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hanttonen moves out of range of the body kick from Ball.
Ball throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hanttonen scores with a jab to the head.
Hanttonen connects with a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ball.
Ball moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hanttonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ball moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Ball tries to keep at a distance but Hanttonen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hanttonen blocks an uppercut.
Ball is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A short body shot lands from Hanttonen as the two fighters clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch on the inside from Ball fails to land.
Hanttonen works on Ball's body with a couple of short punches.
Ball misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hanttonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ball takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hanttonen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hanttonen is leaning against Ball and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Hanttonen.
Ball takes an elbow to the temple.
Hanttonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
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!
Hanttonen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ball.
Ball throws a punch but it's blocked by Hanttonen.
Hanttonen lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Hanttonen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ball throws a punch but it's blocked by Hanttonen.
Hanttonen tries to throw a body punch but Ball avoids it by throwing Hanttonen back against the ropes.
Hanttonen missing with knees to the body.
Hanttonen blocking some punches.
Hanttonen lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanttonen pushes Ball back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ball looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A body shot lands from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen lands a left hand.
Hanttonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hanttonen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ball.
A short left from Hanttonen.
Good body shot from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hanttonen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hanttonen lands a nice shot to the body.
Hanttonen slowing the pace effectively.
Hanttonen lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanttonen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hanttonen holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Ball dodges an elbow strike from Hanttonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Hanttonen clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ball throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hanttonen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ball counters with an inside leg kick.

Hanttonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ball has a couple of punches blocked by Hanttonen.
Hanttonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ball throws a head punch that misses.
Hanttonen working Ball over with knees to the body.
Hanttonen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hanttonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Nice body punch from Hanttonen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanttonen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Marko Hanttonen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ball swings wildly with an uppercut but Hanttonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hanttonen lands with a right to the head.
Ball is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hanttonen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hanttonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Nice body punch from Hanttonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Hanttonen - that landed with a thud.
A short body shot lands from Hanttonen as the two fighters clinch.
Hanttonen lands a right hand.
Hanttonen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hanttonen leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Hanttonen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hanttonen blocks an uppercut.
Hanttonen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hanttonen lands a body shot in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ball misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ball swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hanttonen.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Hanttonen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hanttonen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hanttonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hanttonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Hanttonen.
Ball takes a shot to the head.
A body shot lands from Hanttonen.
Nice body punch from Hanttonen - that landed with a thud.
A bit of stalling here from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hanttonen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hanttonen is leaning against Ball and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hanttonen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hanttonen lands a damaging elbow.
Good body shot from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen lands with a short shot to the head.
Hanttonen lands a shot to the body.
Hanttonen lands an elbow inside that Ball shrugs off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanttonen lands a nice shot to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hanttonen struggles to land a body shot inside as Ball controls his hands.
A hook to the body from Hanttonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Hanttonen had his way with Blubber Ball in that round.
That's time! Hanttonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hanttonen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ball's head backwards.
Blubber Ball has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hanttonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hanttonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ball.
Hanttonen tries to clinch up.
Ball connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hanttonen. That's going to slow Ball down.
Ball throws a lazy body kick
and Hanttonen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ball throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hanttonen counters with an inside leg kick.
Ball throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hanttonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ball scoring well with a low kick there.
Hanttonen cracks Ball with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hanttonen throws a one two combo.
Ball is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball throws a leg kick
and Hanttonen counters with a nice uppercut.

Hanttonen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Ball can't find room to land a body shot as Hanttonen controls the action.
Hanttonen lands with a short shot to the head.
Ball working aggressively here.
Hanttonen digs a right hand into Ball's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ball's gas tank.
Hanttonen works on Ball's body with a couple of short punches.
Ball swings wildly with an uppercut but Hanttonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ball looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hanttonen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
Hanttonen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanttonen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ball misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good body shot from Hanttonen.
Ball misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hanttonen lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanttonen lands a body shot.
Hanttonen lands a shot to the body.
Hanttonen scores with a shot to the side of Ball's head.
A right hand to the body from Hanttonen.
A body shot lands from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hanttonen trying to land knees to the body.
Good body shot from Hanttonen.
Hanttonen works on Ball's body with a couple of short punches.
Hanttonen lands a nice shot to the body.
Hanttonen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hanttonen lands with a light punch inside.
Ball misses with a punch to the body.
Hanttonen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ball is defending well for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanttonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
Hanttonen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hanttonen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Marko Hanttonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hanttonen is working Ball over against the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Hanttonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hanttonen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 50:44
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 50:44
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Hanttonen!
After winning the bout, Marko Hanttonen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.