PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Alessio Legionarius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Apollo Takamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Apollo Takamura 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!

Legionarius
vs
Takamura

185 cm
34
192 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

195 cm
29
192 lbs
9 - 18 - 0

World class MT
Very quick

World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alessio Legionarius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Apollo Takamura!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by Legionarius.
Legionarius gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takamura.
Legionarius fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Takamura is out of range.
Legionarius slips a jab and a cross from Takamura.
Crunch! Legionarius slams his shin into Takamura's torso.
Legionarius tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Takamura paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takamura slips a jab and a cross from Legionarius.

Legionarius clinches up against the ropes.
Legionarius tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takamura's elbow.
A short right from Legionarius.
Legionarius lands a shoulder strike.
Takamura blocking some punches.
Legionarius has a couple of punches blocked by Takamura.
Legionarius misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius misses with a punch on the inside.
Legionarius can't find room to land a body shot as Takamura controls the action.
Takamura blocks a body shot from Legionarius.

Legionarius manages to break the clinch.
Takamura misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Legionarius throws a big shot that misses.
Takamura keeps the fight on the outside.
Takamura lands with a right hand.
Legionarius drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Legionarius misses with a jab to the body
and Takamura counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Legionarius clinches up with Takamura and pushes him back against the ropes.
Stalling in the clinch from Legionarius.
Legionarius misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takamura can't break the clinch.
Legionarius slows down the pace here.
Legionarius keeps control of Takamura as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Takamura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Legionarius has Takamura pressed against the ropes, preventing Takamura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Legionarius working aggressively here.
Legionarius tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takamura working hard to break the clinch.

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

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

Alessio Legionarius dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Takamura avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A low kick from Legionarius misses
and Takamura counters with a two punch combo.

Legionarius closes the distance and pushes Takamura back into the ropes.
Takamura blocks an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Legionarius.
Takamura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Legionarius tries a body shot but Takamura blocks it.
Takamura wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Legionarius tries a body shot but Takamura blocks it.
Legionarius works on Takamura's body with a couple of short punches.
Legionarius scores with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Legionarius swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Legionarius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Takamura tries to stall but Legionarius uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius looking to slow down the pace here.
Legionarius digs a right hand underneath Takamura's ribcage. Takamura let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Legionarius has Takamura pressed against the ropes, preventing Takamura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Takamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Legionarius is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Legionarius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takamura was well out of range. Poor timing from Legionarius.
Legionarius wants to clinch.
Takamura takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takamura avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good exchange - Takamura coming out on top.
Takamura thows a body shot but no joy.
Legionarius defending well as Takamura loads up on a big left hand.
Legionarius is looking to clinch but Takamura is avoiding it.
Legionarius scores with a leg kick.
Takamura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Legionarius was well out of range. Poor timing from Takamura.
Sloppy strikes from Legionarius. Those never looked like landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Legionarius connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Legionarius wants to clinch.
Takamura takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alessio Legionarius dominated that second round.
That's time! Legionarius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fight stays on the outside here - Legionarius looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Legionarius moves into range and clinches up with Takamura.
Legionarius misses with a hook from the clinch.
Legionarius scores with a shoulder strike.
Legionarius tries to work over Takamura's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Legionarius tries to work over Takamura's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Legionarius tries a body shot but Takamura blocks it.
Legionarius digs a right hand underneath Takamura's ribcage. Takamura let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Takamura is looking to break free of the clinch but Legionarius has double underhooks.
Legionarius swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takamura is looking to break free of the clinch but Legionarius has double underhooks.
Legionarius taking a breather.
Alessio Legionarius has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius prevents Takamura from breaking the clinch.
Takamura prevents a body shot from Legionarius.
Takamura is trying to force a seperation but Legionarius has the dominant position.
Legionarius doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Takamura keeps control of Legionarius as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Takamura.
Legionarius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Takamura effectively controlling the action here.
Legionarius tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Takamura's elbow.
Legionarius blocking some punches.
Legionarius tries to throw a body punch but Takamura avoids it by throwing Legionarius back against the ropes.
A hook to the body from Legionarius.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Takamura's efforts to push away.
A right hand to the body from Legionarius.
Takamura wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Takamura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Takamura prevents a body shot from Legionarius.
Legionarius tries a body shot but Takamura blocks it.
Legionarius struggles to land a body shot inside as Takamura controls his hands.
A short right from Legionarius on the inside.
Takamura blocks a body shot from Legionarius.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Legionarius lands an uppercut.
Legionarius lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Takamura backwards.
Legionarius scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Legionarius swings wildly with an uppercut but Takamura uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alessio Legionarius clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takamura swats away the attempt to clinch by Legionarius.
Legionarius looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Legionarius tried to score with a low kick but Takamura checks it.
Legionarius looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Legionarius misses.
Takamura slips under a jab from Legionarius.
A leg kick checked by Takamura.
Jab from Takamura.
Legionarius lands with a hook. Takamura tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Takamura is rocked!

Legionarius has managed to clinch.
Takamura is still on wobbly legs! Can Legionarius finish him?
Legionarius creates a bit of distance and cracks Takamura with a big uppercut! Takamura goes down! The referee pushes Legionarius away into a neutral corner and starts the count. 4,5,6,7. Will Takamura make it up in time? He's still flopping around all over the place! The referee has called off the fight! Legionarius takes it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Alessio Legionarius!
A relieved looking Alessio Legionarius thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.