PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Li Xiaolong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Bird
vs
Xiaolong

170 cm
32
144 lbs
26 - 3 - 0

173 cm
35
158 lbs
29 - 14 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, William Bird!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Li Xiaolong!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaolong misses with a kick to the body.
Xiaolong throws a nice head kick!
Xiaolong misses with a leg kick
and Bird counters with a nice body kick.
Xiaolong stuns Bird with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Xiaolong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Li Xiaolong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bird looks to land a left hand but Xiaolong moved out of range nicely.
Bird looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiaolong is just out of range.
A good leg kick by Bird.
Xiaolong scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bird checks the leg kick.
Xiaolong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xiaolong ducks right into an uppercut from Bird.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Xiaolong lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bird has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bird and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bird drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bird lands a slapping body shot.
Bird throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot.
Xiaolong scores with a nice body kick.
Xiaolong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bird.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong moves out of range of the body kick from Bird.
Xiaolong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Xiaolong has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Xiaolong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird throws a wild body kick that Xiaolong sees coming a mile off.
Decent striking displayed by Bird there.
Bird with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Xiaolong to score with a decent uppercut.
Bird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good leg kick by Xiaolong there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xiaolong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bird has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Xiaolong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Xiaolong attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Xiaolong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xiaolong misses with a shot to the body
and Bird counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bird swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bird scores with a sloppy right hand. Xiaolong should have avoided that one.
Xiaolong moves out of range of the body kick from Bird.
Xiaolong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good leg kick by Xiaolong there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Decent striking displayed by Bird there.
Xiaolong moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Bird doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Xiaolong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bird looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Xiaolong checks a leg kick nicely.
Xiaolong fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Xiaolong wants to land a leg kick but Bird is out of range.
Bird misses the jab.
Crunch! Bird slams his shin into Xiaolong's torso.
Xiaolong looks to land a left hand but Bird moved out of range nicely.
Bird keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but Bird moves out of range easily.
Bird on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Bird tries a low kick but Xiaolong avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong misses with a wild body shot.
Bird connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Xiaolong misses with a wild body shot.
Bird scores with a jab. Xiaolong acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bird on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Crunch! Xiaolong slams his shin into Bird's torso.
Bird wants to slow Xiaolong down by chopping away at his legs.
Xiaolong gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bird.
Bird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bird scores with a push kick.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that misses.
Bird looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiaolong is just out of range.
Bird jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Xiaolong takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xiaolong throws a shot from downtown. Bird moves away and avoids it.
Xiaolong stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bird misses with a hook.
Xiaolong moves forwards but Bird connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses the jab.
Bird with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Xiaolong to score with a decent uppercut.
That kick from Xiaolong tenderised Bird's leg. Bird is trying to keep his angry face on.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xiaolong. Bird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bird connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bird defending well as Xiaolong loads up on a big left hand.
Bird pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiaolong misses with a wild body shot.
Xiaolong shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bird avoids the body shot from Xiaolong.
A head kick misses from Xiaolong.
Bird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaolong throws out the jab.
Xiaolong lands a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Xiaolong moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bird ducks under a wild hook from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong walks into a straight right hand from Bird.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Li Xiaolong will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Xiaolong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Xiaolong misses the shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Xiaolong scores with a kick to the body.
Bird is looking to slow Xiaolong down with leg kicks.
Xiaolong connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
No joy there for Xiaolong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bird tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Xiaolong connects with a solid leg kick.
Xiaolong throws a nice outside leg kick.
Xiaolong lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Xiaolong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bird takes one to the side of the head.
Bird connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Xiaolong blocks a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird moves out of range as Xiaolong throws a body kick.
Bird works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Li Xiaolong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bird moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A swing and a miss from Xiaolong.
Bird throws a head kick but Xiaolong moves out of range.
Bird wants to land a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range.
Xiaolong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Bird lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Xiaolong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Xiaolong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bird sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Xiaolong keeps the fight on the outside.
Xiaolong scores with a hook to the body. Bird takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Xiaolong finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bird checks a low kick from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bird finds it's way round the side to connect with Xiaolong's head.
Bird throws a combination. Xiaolong tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Li Xiaolong has been cut.
Xiaolong tried to score with a low kick but Bird checks it.
Xiaolong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bird was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaolong.
Bird is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bird is looking to slow Xiaolong down with leg kicks.
A head kick misses from Bird.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bird.
That kick from Bird tenderised Xiaolong's leg. Xiaolong is trying to keep his angry face on.
Xiaolong looks to score with a jab to the body but Bird is just out of range.
Xiaolong lands a nice looking body shot.
Bird takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
A big right from Xiaolong misses.
Bird moves out of range of the body kick from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong lands a front kick.
Xiaolong lands the left hand.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bird moves away from the strike by Xiaolong.
Crunch! Bird slams his shin into Xiaolong's torso.
Bird needs to keep his hands up - Xiaolong had a free shot at his head there.
Bird gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but Bird moves out of range easily.

Bird gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Our sources have told us that Bird has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Xiaolong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xiaolong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bird is defending well for now.
Xiaolong lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bird tries a body shot but Xiaolong blocks it.
Xiaolong lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bird is pushing Xiaolong up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bird misses with an elbow strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xiaolong.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bird.
Xiaolong scores with a shoulder strike.
Bird scores with a shoulder strike.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Xiaolong just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bird's brow.
Bird lands a nice elbow.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird slips a jab and a cross from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Xiaolong scores with a jab. Bird acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xiaolong moves out of range of the body kick from Bird.
Xiaolong tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bird is able to avoid easily.
Bird looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bird chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bird tries to close the distance and clinch up but Xiaolong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bird, right into the meat.
Xiaolong will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bird with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bird wants to slow Xiaolong down by chopping away at his legs.
Bird throws a chopping leg kick but Xiaolong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xiaolong misses with a low kick.
Bird walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Xiaolong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Xiaolong tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bird is able to avoid easily.
Xiaolong takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Li Xiaolong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Donk. Bird catches Xiaolong right on the button with a cross.
Xiaolong misses with an uppercut. Bird saw that one coming.
Xiaolong moves away from the strike by Bird.
Xiaolong tries a head kick but it misses.
Bird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Xiaolong takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Bird moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bird takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Xiaolong getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Xiaolong will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bird blocks a jab.
Xiaolong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Xiaolong throws a jab when Bird was well out of range.
Bird lands a nice leg kick that just misses Xiaolong's sensitive parts.
Bird wants to land a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range.
Xiaolong has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bird.
Bird throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Xiaolong throws a body kick that misses.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick but Bird checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bird checks the leg kick nicely there.
An inside leg kick lands from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a sloppy head kick
and Bird counters with a head kick. That will keep Xiaolong thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Xiaolong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Xiaolong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bird sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Xiaolong misses with a low kick.
Xiaolong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bird.
Xiaolong misses with a head kick.
Bird throws a head kick that Xiaolong semi-blocks.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Xiaolong tries to land a leg kick but Bird saw it coming and moves away.
Bird scores with a leg kick.
Bird stuns Xiaolong with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bird bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Xiaolong's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Xiaolong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Xiaolong misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Xiaolong does no damage.
Bird bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Xiaolong's head.
Bird takes a swing at Xiaolong's ribcage but misses.
Xiaolong throws a nice looking combination but Bird bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bird sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Xiaolong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good work by Bird as he checks the leg kick.
Bird slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bird misses with a body kick.
Xiaolong misses with a straight left.
Xiaolong shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bird scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Xiaolong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Xiaolong lands a front kick.
Xiaolong looks to score with a jab to the body but Bird is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bird thumps Xiaolong with a low kick.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but Bird moves out of range easily.
Bird lands the left hand.
Xiaolong throws a wild body kick that Bird sees coming a mile off.
Xiaolong throws a body kick that misses
enabling Bird to counter with a crisp jab.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot
and Xiaolong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bird throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bird slips under a jab from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong misses with a low kick.
Xiaolong has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Bird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bird misses with a body kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Xiaolong checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Xiaolong 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.
Bird takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Bird misses
and Xiaolong counters with a straight right hand.
Bird fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a two punch combination.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bird throws a leg kick but Xiaolong moved away.
Bird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Xiaolong.
A jab from Xiaolong misses.
Bird keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Xiaolong swings for the body but Bird moves out of range.
Xiaolong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bird. That did some damage!
Bird misses with a body shot.
Bird connects with a right hand. Xiaolong shakes it off.
Xiaolong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bird was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaolong.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bird.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong tries a head kick but it misses.
Xiaolong throws a low kick, looking for Bird's leg but Bird calmly moves out of range.
Xiaolong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bird sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but William Bird did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Xiaolong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bird doesn't manage to clinch there - Xiaolong circles away.
Bird 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.
Xiaolong lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bird circles away quickly and effectively.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Bird needs to keep his hands up - Xiaolong had a free shot at his head there.
Bird throws a hook but Xiaolong blocks it.
Xiaolong lands a head shot.
Xiaolong misses with a leg kick
and Bird counters with a left to the body.
Xiaolong misses with a wild body shot.
Bird connects with a right hand. Xiaolong shakes it off.
Xiaolong throws a body kick that misses.
A combination from Xiaolong does no damage.
Xiaolong looks to land a left hand but Bird moved out of range nicely.
Xiaolong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bird throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bird tries to land a leg kick but Xiaolong saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bird checks a low kick from Xiaolong.
Bird throws a sloppy head kick
and Xiaolong counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab from Bird misses.
Bird scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A low kick from Xiaolong is predictable there
and Bird counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Xiaolong with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bird to score with a decent uppercut.
Xiaolong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bird uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Xiaolong.
Bird thuds his shin into the meat of Xiaolong's side.
Bird takes a swing at Xiaolong's ribcage but misses.
A good leg kick by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong blocks a jab.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that misses.
Bird takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Xiaolong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bird on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong throws a push kick but Bird slaps the foot to one side.
Bird 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.
Bird scores with a nice right hand.
Xiaolong misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird lands a right hook to the body.
Xiaolong misses with a double jab.
Bird ducks under a wild hook from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Xiaolong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xiaolong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bird.
Xiaolong ducks under a wild hook from Bird.
Bird is looking to slow Xiaolong down with leg kicks.
Bird walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Xiaolong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bird looks to throw a body kick
and Xiaolong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Xiaolong thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird throws a looping overhand right but Xiaolong ducks down to avoid it.
Xiaolong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bird scores with a leg kick.
Bird ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Xiaolong sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Bird's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Xiaolong connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bird scrambles back to his feet.
Xiaolong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bird.
A swing and a miss from Bird.
Bird jabs Xiaolong to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Xiaolong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bird was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that misses
and Bird counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Xiaolong lands a jab to the nose.
Xiaolong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bird at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bird.
An inside leg kick from Xiaolong misses.
Xiaolong throws the kick towards the body but Bird avoids it.
Bird takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xiaolong scores with a push kick.
Sloppy strikes from Xiaolong. Those never looked like landing.
Xiaolong is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bird ducks under a wild hook from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bird.
Bird chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bird finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bird connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Xiaolong's hands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiaolong buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bird slips under a jab from Xiaolong.
Bird tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bird pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that William Bird will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Xiaolong.
Bird takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xiaolong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Bird sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Bird tries to land a front kick but Xiaolong steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bird misses the jab.
Bird looks for the body kick but Xiaolong saw that one coming.
Xiaolong thows a leg kick but Bird checks it

and Bird counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bird.
Bird blocks an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Xiaolong.
Bird blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Xiaolong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bird pushes Xiaolong back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Bird is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Xiaolong is defending well for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bird.
Knees to the body from Bird.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xiaolong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Xiaolong scores with a decent looking hook.
Bird throws a leg kick but Xiaolong moved away.
Bird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaolong throws out the jab.
Xiaolong misses with a leg kick
and Bird counters with a nice low kick that buckles Xiaolong's knee momentarily.
Xiaolong scores with a kick to the midsection.
Bird throws a body kick that misses.
Xiaolong throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.
Xiaolong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bird avoids a kick to the body.
Xiaolong fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bird.
Bird moves out of range of the leg kick from Xiaolong.
A bone on bone clash there as Bird blocks the leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong slips under a jab from Bird.
Bird avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong swings widly with a right hand
and Bird counters with a straight right hand.
Bird throws a leg kick but Xiaolong sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bird throws a push kick but Xiaolong slaps the foot to one side.
Xiaolong throws a solid leg kick but Bird takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Xiaolong.
Xiaolong wants to land a leg kick but Bird is out of range.
A leg kick checked by Xiaolong.
A clash of legs there as Bird blocks the low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick
and Bird counters with a straight right hand.
Bird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong misses the jab.
Bird throws a looping overhand right but Xiaolong ducks down to avoid it.
Xiaolong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bird scores with a sloppy right hand. Xiaolong should have avoided that one.
Bird avoids a kick to the body.
Good leg kick by Bird there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bird wants to clinch up but Xiaolong keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Xiaolong jabs Bird right on the nose. Bird blinks but takes it well.
Xiaolong thows a leg kick but Bird checks it
and Bird counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Xiaolong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bird.
Xiaolong checks a leg kick nicely.
Bird throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xiaolong.
A clash of legs there as Bird blocks the low kick.
Bird takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bird checks the leg kick nicely there.
Xiaolong takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Xiaolong misses with a looping left.
Xiaolong blocks a low kick nicely.
Bird slips under a jab.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick
and Bird counters with a nice leg kick.
Bird throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xiaolong takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Xiaolong.
Bird fakes the leg kick and cracks Xiaolong in the body.
Bird pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiaolong misses with a kick 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!
Xiaolong swinging wildly here.
Xiaolong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bird.
Bird motions for Xiaolong to come forward. Bird throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Xiaolong throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.
Xiaolong throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bird throws a chopping leg kick but Xiaolong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaolong throws out the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiaolong staying out of range there.
Xiaolong throws a jab when Bird was well out of range.
Xiaolong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Li Xiaolong.
I think Xiaolong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 47:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Li Xiaolong!
Li Xiaolong is the new featherweight champion!
Li Xiaolong decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated William Bird had this to say: 'You proved you were the better fighter tonight.'.