PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Tyson Calzaghe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Rieech (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Calzaghe's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Ready, Able. Rieech is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: DMX ft. Black Violin-Im a Ryder. Markus Rieech acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Calzaghe
vs
Rieech

200 cm
27
199 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
185 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Powerful

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tyson Calzaghe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Markus Rieech!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rieech misses with a low kick.
Calzaghe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rieech is looking to land body kicks.
Calzaghe moves in looking to clinch but Rieech pushes him off.
Calzaghe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Calzaghe keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Calzaghe really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rieech misses with a right hand
and Calzaghe counters with a series of strikes. Rieech will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rieech throws a left and a right that both miss
and Calzaghe counters with a three punch combo that has Rieech backing up. Rieech nods at Calzaghe to acknowledge the strikes.
Rieech ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Calzaghe moves away.

Calzaghe moves into the clinch.
Rieech tries to circle away but Calzaghe has him pinned against the ropes.
Rieech is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rieech wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rieech wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Calzaghe breaks the clinch.
Rieech falls off balance throwing a combination
and Calzaghe counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rieech keeps Calzaghe at a distance using the push kick.
Rieech swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Calzaghe counters with a straight right hand.
Calzaghe cracks a nice hook into Rieech's ribs.
Rieech throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Calzaghe getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rieech misses with an uppercut
and Calzaghe counters with a series of strikes. Rieech will be more careful next time no doubt.
Calzaghe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Calzaghe tests Rieech's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rieech throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Calzaghe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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!
Rieech throws a series of punches but Calzaghe avoids them all with ease.
Calzaghe scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rieech waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Calzaghe.
Calzaghe is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Calzaghe blocks a jab.
Rieech pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rieech misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Calzaghe.
Calzaghe takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Calzaghe connects with a body shot that sends Rieech's belly button to the back.
Calzaghe scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rieech in his tracks.
Rieech is looking to chop away at Calzaghe's legs.
Calzaghe scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Calzaghe takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rieech throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rieech misses with a combination
and Calzaghe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rieech thinking.
Rieech is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Rieech takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Calzaghe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rieech gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Calzaghe.
Rieech looks to throw the jab but Calzaghe is out of range.
Calzaghe is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rieech misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rieech misses with a double jab
and Calzaghe counters with a three punch combo that has Rieech backing up. Rieech nods at Calzaghe to acknowledge the strikes.

Calzaghe has Rieech up against the ropes in a clinch.
Calzaghe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Calzaghe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.

Calzaghe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tyson Calzaghe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Calzaghe rushes Rieech and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Calzaghe blocks an uppercut.
Rieech wants to break the clinch but can't.
Calzaghe blocks an uppercut.
Rieech has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Rieech's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rieech struggles to land a body shot inside as Calzaghe controls his hands.
Rieech working hard to break the clinch.
Calzaghe lands with a light punch inside.
Rieech taking a breather.
Rieech struggles to land a body shot inside as Calzaghe controls his hands.
Rieech is trying to push Calzaghe away but Calzaghe has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Calzaghe is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Calzaghe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rieech throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rieech scores with a three punch combo!
Rieech throws a head kick that misses.
Rieech will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rieech lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rieech swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Calzaghe with a nice cross.
Rieech falls off balance throwing a combination
and Calzaghe counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rieech is breathing heavily.
Calzaghe digs a good hook to Rieech's body.
Tyson Calzaghe is winning the standup battle so far.
Rieech misses the jab.
Rieech falls off balance throwing a combination
and Calzaghe makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Calzaghe tries to bum rush Rieech with a series of wild strikes but Rieech uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rieech takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rieech avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Calzaghe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rieech on the side of the head.
Rieech swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Calzaghe counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Calzaghe.
Rieech tries to break the clinch but Calzaghe is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Markus Rieech will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rieech with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Calzaghe misses with a double jab.

Calzaghe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rieech, pushing him back against the ropes.
Rieech is looking to break free of the clinch but Calzaghe has double underhooks.
Rieech throws a punch but it's blocked by Calzaghe.
Rieech is trying to break the clinch but Calzaghe has him pressed against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Rieech's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Calzaghe scores with a shoulder strike.
Rieech wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rieech tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Calzaghe's elbow.

Calzaghe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Markus Rieech seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rieech looks to land a combination but Calzaghe avoids it well.
Rieech uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Calzaghe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rieech throws a low kick but Calzaghe avoids it.
Rieech fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A jab lands there for Calzaghe.
Calzaghe wants to clinch up but Rieech keeps it at a distance.
A right-left combo lands from Rieech.
Rieech looks to land a combination but Calzaghe avoids it well.
Rieech takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rieech throws a nice looking combination but Calzaghe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sloppy strikes from Rieech. Those never looked like landing.
Rieech takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Calzaghe punishes Rieech's body with a nice straight punch.
Calzaghe scores with a hook to the body. Rieech takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rieech takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rieech throws a low kick but Calzaghe avoids it.
Rieech on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Calzaghe both land. Nice combination.
Rieech avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rieech falls off balance throwing a combination
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Calzaghe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Calzaghe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Calzaghe pushes Rieech up against the ropes in a clinch.
Calzaghe keeps control of Rieech as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Calzaghe taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rieech is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Calzaghe avoiding damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rieech looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Calzaghe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Calzaghe clearly takes 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.

Calzaghe scores with a punch to the head.
Rieech tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Calzaghe lands a glancing blow to the side of Rieech's head.

Calzaghe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rieech, pushing him back against the ropes.
Rieech wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Calzaghe is trying to break free.
Rieech is trying to break free.
Calzaghe has Rieech pressed against the ropes, preventing Rieech from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Calzaghe breaks the clinch.
Donk. Calzaghe catches Rieech right on the button with a cross.

Calzaghe darts in and clinches Rieech up against the ropes.
Rieech trying to stall but Calzaghe improves his position.
Rieech wants to get back to striking at distance but Calzaghe won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Rieech fails to land.
Rieech has had enough of the clinch but Calzaghe keeps him there for the moment.
Rieech wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rieech is trying to break the clinch but Calzaghe is controlling him.
Rieech is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Rieech's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rieech is trying to push Calzaghe away but Calzaghe has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rieech.

Rieech escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rieech lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Calzaghe circles away quickly and effectively.
Calzaghe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rieech misses with the combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Calzaghe, as that shot connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rieech feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Calzaghes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Calzaghe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rieech takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rieech is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Calzaghe feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rieechs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Rieech 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.
Rieech lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Calzaghe connects with a looping right hand.
Rieech drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Rieech is rocked!
Rieech throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rieech is still on wobbly legs! Can Calzaghe finish him?
Rieech drops his guard momentarily, allowing Calzaghe to crack him with a picture perfect lead left hook! Boom! Down goes Rieech! Oh, he's in big trouble - I don't like his chances here as the referee's count reaches 5. 6,7,8,9...10! He's out! Calzaghe takes it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Tyson Calzaghe!