PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Kris Jakua (ranked 6670 p4p, 429 weight class) and Andre Ward (ranked 5887 p4p, 410 weight class). Kris Jakua has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Jakua
vs
Ward

180 cm
19
145 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Solid boxing
Good chin

Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kris Jakua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Andre Ward!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jakua throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ward counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jakua seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
A punch combination from Ward misses.
Jakua swings for the body but Ward moves out of range.
Ward attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Jakua on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jakua misses with a double jab.
Ward unleashes a big counter combination but Jakua bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ward lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ward scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ward misses with a double jab.
Jakua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Jakua.
Ward misses with a few strikes there.
Jakua works Ward's body with a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward throws an overhand right that lands on Jakua's shoulder, as Jakua tries to avoid the shot.
Jakua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ward moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jakua comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jakua takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Jakua. Those never looked like landing.
Jakua really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Ward closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Ward breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jakua misses with a double jab
and Ward counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jakua works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Jakua showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.
Jakua throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.
Jakua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Jakua. Those never looked like landing.
Jakua throws a body punch but Ward moves out of range.
Ward staying out of range there.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ward ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ward looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jakua showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.
Jakua scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ward doesn't seem bothered though.
Ward throws an overhand right that lands on Jakua's shoulder, as Jakua tries to avoid the shot.
Jakua is looking to wear down Ward with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jakua looks to land a combination but Ward avoids it well.
Jakua throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ward counters with a three punch combo that has Jakua backing up. Jakua nods at Ward to acknowledge the strikes.
Jakua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ward moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ward is looking for the big counter here.
Jakua comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jakua lands a nice hook to Ward's body. Ward takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ward looks winded!
No joy there for Jakua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ward dodges the punch combination from Jakua.
A combination from Jakua does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward misses with a double jab.
Jakua lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jakua showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.
Jakua went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Jakua slips a jab and a cross from Ward.
Jakua tries to bum rush Ward with a series of wild strikes but Ward uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from Jakua.
Jakua throws a body punch but Ward moves out of range.
Ward throws a series of punches but Jakua moves out of range.
Jakua throws a right and a left that both miss.

Ward drives through and clinches with Jakua against the ropes.

Jakua breaks from the clinch.
Jakua connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ward throws a lazy right hand but Jakua sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jakua fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jakua comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jab by Jakua.
Jakua throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ward counters with a left and a right that stings Jakua.
Jakua cracks Ward with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jakua misses with a few strikes there.
Ward throws a head kick but Jakua moves out of range.
Jakua throws a big counter combination but Ward scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Jakua stalks Ward and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ward's face. Ward staggers backwards, shaken.
Ward's coach down at 3Band MMA ($800/week) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ward's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Jakua lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jakua throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jakua throws a nice looking combination but Ward bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ward is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Jakua with a body shot.
Ward tries to land a front kick but Jakua steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Jakua keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jakua bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kris Jakua will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ward misses the body punch

and Jakua counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Ward manages to break the clinch.
Jakua misses with a body shot.
Jakua throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.
Ward throws a series of punches but Jakua avoids them all with ease.
Jakua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Jakua.
Ward looks to land a combination but Jakua avoids it well.
Jakua misses with a wild body shot.
Ward on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jakua avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jakua swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jakua misses with a double jab
and Ward counters with a right hand to the body.
Jakua swats away the attempt to clinch by Ward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jakua is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Jakua throws a series of punches but Ward avoids them all with ease.
Ward keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ward throws a series of punches but Jakua moves out of range.
Ward is breathing heavily.
A left and a right from Jakua both land. Nice combination.
Ward throws a series of punches but Jakua avoids them all with ease.
Kris Jakua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jakua throws a right hand that Ward ducks under and follows up with a left that Ward also avoids with ease.
Ward is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Jakua scores with a jab to the body.
Jakua swings for the body but Ward moves out of range.
Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jakua throws a sloppy body shot
letting Ward counter with a right hand.
Kris Jakua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ward avoids the body shot from Jakua.
Jakua misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch combination from Jakua misses.
Ward throws a series of punches but Jakua moves out of range.
Jakua throws a body punch but Ward moves out of range.
Jakua sizes up Ward with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jakua fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ward misses with a series of wild punches.
Ward misses with an uppercut.
Ward dodges the punch combination from Jakua.
Jakua ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ward misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jakua throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ward counters by clinching up.

Jakua pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jakua lands with a cross.
Jakua throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jakua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Jakua.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jakua avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ward falls off balance throwing a combination
and Jakua counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jakua will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jakua misses with a combination
and Ward counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kris Jakua is winning the standup battle so far.
Jakua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A lazy body kick from Ward
and Jakua counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ward missing with a left hand there. Jakua was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jakua looks to land a combination but Ward avoids it well.
Ward is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jakua swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jakua looks to throw the jab but Ward is out of range.
Jakua feints a jab promting Ward to slip. Jakua then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ward slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Ward closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Ward tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jakua avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jakua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Jakua.
Ward takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jakua looks to land a combination. Ward sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Jakua looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
A punch combination from Jakua misses.
Jakua throws a right and a left that Ward avoids nicely.
Ward tries to land a body kick
and Jakua counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Left hook, right uppercut from Jakua.
Ward keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jakua punishes Ward's body with a nice straight punch.
Jakua throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.
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!
Jakua looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
Ward moves away from the strike by Jakua.
Jakua throws a right hand that Ward ducks under and follows up with a left that Ward also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jakua misses with a few strikes there.
Jakua lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ward circles away quickly and effectively.

Ward closes the distance and pushes Jakua back into the ropes.

Ward manages to break the clinch.

Ward closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Ward tries to throw a body punch but Jakua avoids it by throwing Ward back against the ropes.
Ward scores with a shot to the side of Jakua's head.

Jakua breaks from the clinch.
Jakua misses with a wild combination.
Jakua misses with a two punch combination.
Jakua lands a nice shot that snaps Ward's head back.
Ward uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jakua.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jakua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ward goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No joy there for Jakua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ward lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jakua circles away quickly and effectively.
Jakua swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ward wants to counter the offense by Jakua and move into the clinch position.
Jakua throws a body shot but no joy.
Ward thuds a left hand into Jakua's body.
Ward moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A big right from Jakua misses.
Jakua lands with a good body shot.
Jakua throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ward is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Jakua avoids the body shot from Ward.

Ward clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jakua manages to break the clinch.
Ward wants to clinch.
Jakua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ward is looking for the big counter here.
Jakua throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.
Jakua ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ward moves away.
Jakua looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
Ward lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Jakua looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
Ward displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Ward fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jakua, pushing him back against the ropes.
Ward lands with a left to the head.

Ward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ward closes the distance and clinches.

Jakua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jakua swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Ward to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jakua scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Jakua looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
Ward avoids the body shot from Jakua.

Ward takes the fight into the clinch.
Andre Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ward breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jakua misses the shot to the body.
Ward lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Some wild striking there from Jakua.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kris Jakua showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jakua, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kris Jakua!