PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Marco Salamanca (ranked 23889 p4p, 7550 weight class) and Walker Smith (ranked 631 p4p, 611 weight class). Salamanca comes to the ring accompanied by Mexican Rap. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Salamanca
vs
Smith

176 cm
22
157
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
157
4 - 4 - 1

World class MT
Granite chin

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marco Salamanca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Walker Smith!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Salamanca.
Salamanca is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
The crowd cheers as Salamanca lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smith doesn't seem phased though.

Smith forces Salamanca back against the ropes and clinches.
Salamanca lands a right hand.
Salamanca swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Salamanca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Salamanca breaks from the clinch.
Salamanca is looking to clinch.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salamanca misses with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Salamanca has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Salamanca backwards.
Salamanca lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Salamanca avoids the elbow strike from Smith, against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Salamanca lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Salamanca lands a left hand.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.

Salamanca manages to break the clinch.

Salamanca tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith lands an uppercut.
Salamanca dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
Salamanca tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Salamanca back against the ropes.
Salamanca misses with the head strike.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith wants to clinch.
Smith avoids the head kick by Salamanca.
Salamanca misses the shot to the body.
Walker Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Salamanca is able to avoid easily.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith tries to clinch there but Salamanca circles away.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Salamanca pushes him off.
Salamanca moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Smith is looking to clinch but Salamanca is avoiding it.
Smith takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A slow jab from Salamanca misses its intended target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Smith tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Salamanca manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Salamanca stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Salamanca controls his hands.
Smith comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Salamanca manages to break the clinch.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith misses with a leg kick.

Smith moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Salamanca uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Smith has time to react.
Salamanca missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Salamanca has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Salamanca there as he acknowledges the shot.
Salamanca tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Salamanca seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Salamanca checks a low kick from Smith.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Salamanca scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smith in his tracks.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Salamanca swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith throws out a leg kick but Salamanca moves out of range and Smith only half commits.
Walker Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Salamanca manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice straight punches there by Salamanca. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Salamanca.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salamanca defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Salamanca in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Salamanca blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Salamanca controls his hands.

Salamanca breaks from the clinch.
Salamanca lands with an overhand left.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Salamanca.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salamanca escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Salamanca lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Salamanca throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Smith.
Smith tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Salamanca misses with a low kick.
Salamanca swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Smith.
Salamanca is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Salamanca misses with a straight right.
A low kick lands for Salamanca.
Salamanca swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Salamanca blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Salamanca.
Nice body kick there by Salamanca.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith tries to clinch but Salamanca is having none of it.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Salamanca was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Salamanca avoids the body shot from Smith.
Salamanca swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Salamanca keeps Smith at a distance using the push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Salamanca closes the distance and clinches.

Salamanca's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Salamanca misses.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith wants to clinch.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Salamanca bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Salamanca looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Salamanca throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Salamanca gets tackled into the ropes by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Smith creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salamanca moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marco Salamanca is winning the standup battle so far.
Salamanca throws a head kick that half lands.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Salamanca dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Salamanca working aggressively here.
Salamanca tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Salamanca throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith presses Salamanca against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Salamanca pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Salamanca tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Salamanca keeps Smith at a distance using the push kick.
Salamanca misses with an uppercut.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Salamanca finds it's way round the side to connect with Smith's head.
Salamanca connects with a leg kick.
Salamanca swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salamanca connects with a body shot.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salamanca blocks an elbow strike from Smith.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Salamanca dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Smith rushes Salamanca and presses him up against the ropes.
Salamanca blocks a body shot from Smith.
Salamanca blocks a body shot from Smith.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Salamanca controls the action.

Salamanca escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salamanca tried to score with a low kick but Smith checks it.
Smith stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Salamanca.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salamanca missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Salamanca paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Smith closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Salamanca goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

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

Salamanca tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Smith throws an elbow but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Salamanca.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Salamanca throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Salamanca lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith misses with a body punch.

Salamanca breaks from the clinch.
Salamanca lands a leg kick that knocks Smith off balance momentarily.
Smith lands a jab to Salamanca's midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salamanca moves forwards but Smith connects with a nice, crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Salamanca clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith clinches with his opponent.
Walker Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Smith blocking some punches.
Salamanca swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Salamanca seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Smith can turn it around.

Salamanca's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Salamanca manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Salamanca blocks a leg kick.
Salamanca feints and then cracks Smith's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith down.
Smith rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Salamanca counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The fighters circle momentarily. Salamanca darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smith tries to clinch but Salamanca moves out of range.
Smith tries to clinch there but Salamanca circles away.
A little feinted left hand from Salamanca on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salamanca paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Smith tries to clinch up but Salamanca circles away and keeps his distance.
Donk. Salamanca catches Smith right on the button with a cross.
Salamanca swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salamanca jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Salamanca swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Smith rushes Salamanca and presses him up against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salamanca manages to break the clinch.

Salamanca gets tackled into the ropes by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith working aggressively here.
Salamanca blocks a body shot from Smith.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Salamanca has managed to clinch.
Smith is leaning against Salamanca and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Salamanca manages to break the clinch.
Smith on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith lands a damaging elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Salamanca fails to land.
Salamanca scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
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!
Salamanca scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Salamanca prevents a body shot from Smith.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Salamanca manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith scoring well with a low kick there.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Salamanca swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Salamanca does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salamanca uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.

Salamanca breaks from the clinch.
Smith moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smith throws a series of punches but Salamanca moves out of range.
Smith swings for the body but Salamanca moves out of range.
Salamanca chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith tries a body shot but Salamanca blocks it.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salamanca digs a good hook to Smith's body.
Salamanca lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Salamanca had his way with Walker Smith in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Walker Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Salamanca thows a left - swing and a miss!
Salamanca scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Salamanca paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Smith misses with a hook to the body
and Salamanca counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Salamanca digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Salamanca is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Smith.
Jab by Salamanca.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Salamanca in a clinch.
Smith tries to work over Salamanca's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Salamanca pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Salamanca lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Salamanca pushes him off.
Salamanca was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Salamanca blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith lands with a short shot to the head.
Salamanca working aggressively here.
Good body shot from Salamanca.
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Salamanca backwards.

Salamanca breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salamanca connects with a jab.
Salamanca lands the left hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Salamanca controls his hands.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Salamanca's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Salamanca uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Salamanca tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith wants to counter the offense by Salamanca and move into the clinch position.
Smith misses with a jab to the body
and Salamanca counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An inside leg kick lands from Salamanca.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith drives through and clinches with Salamanca against the ropes.

Salamanca escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith throws the left hand but Salamanca avoids the punch easily.
Smith takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A solid leg kick lands there for Salamanca.

Smith clinches.
Smith works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short uppercut from Salamanca.
Smith tries to work over Salamanca's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Salamanca breaks from the clinch.
Salamanca connects with a crisp jab.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.

Salamanca pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Salamanca slips under a jab from Smith.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salamanca tries to move into range but Smith moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Salamanca.

Salamanca's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A solid body kick from Salamanca.
Smith lands with an overhand left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Salamanca showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Salamanca, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Salamanca!
Our winner, Marco Salamanca, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.