PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jermaine Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abel Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barksdale comes into the arena with Ain't No Sunshine- DMX blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Speed's choice of entrance music: Limp Bizkit / Break Stuff. Abel Speed told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Barksdale
vs
Speed

190 cm
32
211 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

182 cm
37
196 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing over 40$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jermaine Barksdale!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Abel Speed!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Speed misses with a wild body shot.
Barksdale misses with a looping right.
Speed on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Speed looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The fighters circling - Barksdale throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Speed instigates a clinch.
Barksdale missing with knees to the body.
Barksdale blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barksdale gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Speed.
Speed digs a right hand underneath Barksdale's ribcage. Barksdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Barksdale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Speed takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Barksdale looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Speed!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Speed is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Barksdale off and has taken his back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Speed avoiding Barksdale 's attempts to control his hands.
Speed missing with punches from the back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed misses with a punch to the head.
Speed gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Speed misses with a punch to the head.
Speed keeps control of the position as Barksdale tries to break free.
Barksdale looking very determined here, making life difficult for Speed.
Speed throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Barksdale!
Barksdale covering up well under a series of strikes from Speed.
Speed throwing sloppy strikes.
Speed keeps control of the position as Barksdale tries to break free.
Barksdale breaks Speed's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barksdale is looking to work some ground and pound but Speed has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barksdale.
Barksdale has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barksdale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Speed not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barksdale throws a big elbow that misses.
Barksdale throwing strikes but missing.
Barksdale loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barksdale throwing strikes from guard but Speed blocks nicely.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Barksdale trying to control the position from guard on top but Speed is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Speed wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Barksdale throwing strikes but missing.
Speed wants to sweep here but Barksdale controlling him for the moment.
Barksdale throwing strikes but missing.
Speed avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Speed trying to keep a closed guard but Barksdale is proving a slippery customer.
Barksdale is looking to work some ground and pound but Speed has wrist control.
Speed wants to sweep but no luck.
Barksdale slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barksdale sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Speed defending well though.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but Speed defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Speed keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Speed is trying to control but can't.
Barksdale is stalling here. Speed is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Barksdale seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Speed has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Barksdale is not content to let Speed control the position.
Barksdale is trying to control Speed's posture but Speed avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Speed lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Barksdale dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Speed thows a body shot but no joy.
Barksdale moves out of range as Speed strikes.
Speed loads up on a big right hand but Barksdale slips the punch.
Barksdale works the jab nicely.
A thudding body kick lands there by Barksdale!
Barksdale tries to score with a low kick but Speed moves his leg out of the way.
Barksdale moves away from the strike by Speed.
Speed on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Barksdale. Barksdale obviously looking to wear him down.
A lazy left from Barksdale finds it's target.
Barksdale scores with a nice right hand.
A left lands for Barksdale.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Speed throws a right hand that Barksdale ducks under and follows up with a left that Barksdale also avoids with ease.
Good leg kick by Barksdale there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Barksdale slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Speed misses the target.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Speed with a series of wild strikes but Speed uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed throws a jab but it's blocked by Barksdale.
Speed looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Speed takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Barksdale connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Speed lands a jab to the head.
Barksdale is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Speed fails to land with a series of punches.
Speed is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Barksdale slips a jab and a cross from Speed.
Speed swings for the body but Barksdale moves out of range.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Speed.
Good shot there by Speed.
Barksdale closes the distance and clinches up with Speed, looking for a takedown. Barksdale pushes Speed against the cage but Speed circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Barksdale closes the distance and pushes Speed back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Speed is looking to control Barksdale's arms but Barksdale gets an underhook and turns him. Now Speed has his back to the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Speed.
Speed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Speed has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Barksdale avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Barksdale lands with a light punch inside.
Speed takes a shot to the head.
Barksdale prevents a body shot from Speed.
Barksdale tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Barksdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Speed prevents Barksdale from breaking the clinch.
Barksdale misses with a short punch on the inside.
Speed is trying to force a seperation but Barksdale has the dominant position.
Speed is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Barksdale pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Speed throws a head punch that misses.
Speed tries a body shot but Barksdale blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Speed.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Barksdale as Speed tries to tie him up.
Speed struggles to land a body shot inside as Barksdale controls his hands.
Barksdale working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Barksdale misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Speed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barksdale.

Speed manages to break the clinch.
Speed jabs Barksdale right on the nose. Barksdale blinks but takes it well.
Barksdale throws a half hearted mid kick.
Speed on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Barksdale throws a chopping leg kick but Speed manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Donk. Barksdale catches Speed right on the button with a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Barksdale.
Barksdale lands an overhand right.
Speed fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barksdale manages to avoid it.
Jermaine Barksdale is winning the standup battle so far.
Speed walks into a stiff left hand from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a low kick but Speed avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barksdale waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Speed.
Barksdale slips under a jab.
Speed misses with a looping left.
A cross from Barksdale lands.
Speed scores with a hook.
Barksdale lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Speed lands with a shot to the body.
Barksdale throws a low kick but Speed avoids it.
Speed walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Speed just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from Barksdale.
Speed fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barksdale manages to avoid it.
Speed slips under a jab from Barksdale.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Barksdale dominated that second 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.

Speed fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Speed throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Speed just misses with a punch to the body.
Barksdale throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Speed's head.
Barksdale feints a jab promting Speed to slip. Barksdale then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Speed slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Speed misses with a left hand
and Barksdale counters with a nice low kick that buckles Speed's knee momentarily.
Some bone on bone action there as Speed checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Speed clinches up with Barksdale and pushes him back against the cage.
Barksdale lands a right hand that snaps the head of Speed backwards.
Barksdale lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Speed tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barksdale's elbow.
Speed wants to get back to striking at distance but Barksdale won't allow it.
Barksdale prevents a body shot from Speed.
Barksdale lands with a left to the head.
Barksdale gets underhooks to prevent Speed's takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Barksdale scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Speed fails to land.
Speed misses with a hook to the ribs.
Speed working aggressively here.
Speed takes a shot to the head.
Barksdale lands an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Speed - that landed with a thud.
Barksdale stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Speed takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Speed prevents Barksdale from breaking the clinch.
Barksdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Speed uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barksdale blocks a body shot from Speed.
Barksdale works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barksdale stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The referee calls for Barksdale to work.
Barksdale lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Barksdale softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Barksdale tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barksdale creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Speed takes a shot to the head.
Speed wants a takedown but no success here.
Jermaine Barksdale has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Barksdale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Speed takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Barksdale keeps the fight on the outside.
Barksdale thows a body shot but no joy.
Speed takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Speed tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barksdale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barksdale lands with a kick to the temple. Speed shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Speed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
Some wild striking there from Speed.
Barksdale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Barksdale swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed lands with an uppercut that bounces Barksdale off the cage and back into range.
Speed scores with a one two! Barksdale had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Barksdale changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Barksdale clinches up with Speed and pushes him back against the cage.
Barksdale misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barksdale lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Speed working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Speed fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barksdale.
Speed tries to work over Barksdale's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barksdale is leaning against Speed and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Barksdale manages to break the clinch.
Speed tries to move into range but Barksdale moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Barksdale cracks a nice hook into Speed's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Speed.
Barksdale connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Speed throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barksdale sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barksdale is looking to clinch but Speed is avoiding it.
Speed's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Barksdale connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Speed scrambles back to his feet.
Speed blocks a jab.
Speed has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barksdale finds it's way round the side to connect with Speed's head.
Barksdale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Speed.
Barksdale waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Speed.
Abel Speed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Speed.
Barksdale stuns Speed with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barksdale lands a nice shot to the body.
Barksdale connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Speed throws a hook but Barksdale avoids it easily.
Barksdale throws a solid leg kick but Speed takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Barksdale.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Barksdale clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barksdale takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A looping hook to the body misses from Speed. Barksdale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Speed misses with a series of wild punches.
Barksdale cracks Speed with a good jab.
Speed misses the shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Speed.
Speed ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barksdale moves away.
Speed has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Barksdale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barksdale just misses with a punch to the body.
Speed defending well as Barksdale loads up on a big left hand.
Speed throws a big shot that misses.
Barksdale connects with a body shot.
Speed fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale thuds his shin into the meat of Speed's side.
Speed is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nice jab there from Barksdale.
Speed fails with an attempt to clinch.
Speed on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Barksdale swats away the attempt to clinch by Speed.
A big left from Barksdale misses.
Barksdale tries a low kick but Speed avoids it.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Donk. Barksdale catches Speed right on the button with a cross.
Speed takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Barksdale swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Speed.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Speed throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Barksdale makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Speed scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed scores with a hook to the body. Barksdale takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Barksdale connects with a crisp jab.
A left lands for Speed.
Barksdale throws a quick inside leg kick.
Speed is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Speed works the jab nicely.
Speed throws a jab when Barksdale was well out of range.

Barksdale pushes Speed up against the cage in a clinch.
Speed misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barksdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Speed prevents a body shot from Barksdale.
Barksdale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Speed can do to turn this around?
A left hand lands to the body for Barksdale.
Barksdale blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Barksdale scores with a nice short uppercut.
Barksdale lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Speed backwards.

Speed is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed misses with a body punch.
Speed is still on wobbly legs! Can Barksdale finish him?
Speed is looking to control Barksdale's arms but Barksdale gets an underhook and turns him. Now Speed has his back to the cage.
Speed seems to have recovered his senses.
Barksdale putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Speed in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Speed tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barksdale's elbow.
Speed can't find room to land a body shot as Barksdale controls the action.
Speed misses with some punches.
Barksdale lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Speed backwards.
Barksdale is looking to control Speed's arms but Speed gets an underhook and turns him. Now Barksdale has his back to the cage.
Barksdale has a couple of punches blocked by Speed.
Barksdale prevents Speed from breaking the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Speed.
Barksdale lands a left hand that snaps the head of Speed backwards.
Speed throws a head punch that misses.
Speed tries to throw a body punch but Barksdale avoids it by throwing Speed back against the cage.
Speed tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barksdale's elbow.
Speed changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Barksdale fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Speed avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Speed scores with the left hand. Barksdale knows he should have avoided that one.
A shot to the liver by Speed. Beautiful body shot.

Barksdale lands a big head kick that sends Speed tumbling to the mat! Barksdale takes a step backwards and waves Speed back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Speed looks to score with a jab to the body but Barksdale is just out of range.
Speed fails in his attempt to clinch.
Speed throws a big shot that misses.
Barksdale slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barksdale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A combination from Barksdale does no damage.

Speed moves into the clinch successfully.
Speed misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Barksdale had his way with Abel Speed in that 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!

Speed tries to clinch but Barksdale is having none of it.
Barksdale goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Barksdale rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Speed moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Speed dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Speed misses with a double jab.
A left lands for Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a poor cross that misses
and Speed counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Barksdale throws a head kick that misses.
Speed scores with a punch to the head.
A swing and a miss from Barksdale.
A clash of legs there as Speed blocks the low kick.
A cross from Barksdale lands.
A head kick misses from Barksdale.
Speed lands a jab to Barksdale's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed throws a shot to the body.
Speed moves out of range of the strikes.
Barksdale steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Speed.
Speed slips a jab from Barksdale.
Speed misses with a hook. Barksdale ducked under it nicely.
Speed ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Speed thows a body shot but no joy.
Barksdale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Speed throws a jab but it's blocked by Barksdale.
Speed lands a nice shot to the body.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barksdale with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Speed stuns Barksdale with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Speed's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Barksdale finds it's way through Speed's defenses.
Speed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
Barksdale swings for the body but Speed moves out of range.
A big right from Barksdale misses.
Barksdale cracks Speed with a right hand to the side of the head.
Barksdale takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Barksdale lands with an uppercut that bounces Speed off the cage and back into range.
Barksdale bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Speed's head backwards.
Barksdale avoids the body shot from Speed.
Speed misses the body punch
and Barksdale counters with a straight right hand.
Speed connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Abel Speed has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Speed fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barksdale manages to avoid it.
Barksdale moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut lands for Speed. That snapped Barksdale's head back.
Barksdale lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barksdale takes one to the side of the head.
Barksdale feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Speeds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Speed misses with a jab to the body

and Barksdale counters with a shoot takedown. Speed fights it but they end up in guard.
Barksdale throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jermaine Barksdale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Speed trying to keep a closed guard but Barksdale is proving a slippery customer.
Barksdale trying to control the position from guard on top but Speed is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barksdale postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barksdale throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale postures up.
Barksdale controlling from the top position.
Speed trying to control the position.
Barksdale is stalling in the full guard.

Abel Speed has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barksdale. Speed does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barksdale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Speed is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Barksdale rather than just go for the knockout.
Barksdale is looking to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jermaine Barksdale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barksdale 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermaine Barksdale!
Jermaine Barksdale is the new light heavyweight champion!
Our winner, Jermaine Barksdale, 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.
The defeated Abel Speed had this to say: 'Shouldn't have got too stoned and missed my flight. Oh well maybe a rematch is in order?'.