PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Antonio Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Paqcuiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santos is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. This should be a great matchup!

Santos
vs
Paqcuiao

225 cm
28
300 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

150 cm
23
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Brawler
Experienced

Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Manny Paqcuiao!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos swats away the attempt to clinch by Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao misses with a head kick.
The fighters circling - Santos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Santos is breathing heavily.
Santos swats away the attempt to clinch by Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao slips a jab from Santos.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch up but Santos circles away and keeps his distance.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but Santos moves out of range.
Paqcuiao misses with a few strikes there.
Antonio Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paqcuiao throws a low kick but Santos moves out of range easily.
Some wild striking there from Paqcuiao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paqcuiao takes the fight into the clinch.
Paqcuiao tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Paqcuiao looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paqcuiao can't find room to land a body shot as Santos controls the action.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Paqcuiao breaks from the clinch.
Santos moves out of range of the body kick from Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao blocks a head kick by Santos.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paqcuiao moves in looking to clinch but Santos pushes him off.
Paqcuiao wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paqcuiao is looking to clinch.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch there but Santos circles away.

Paqcuiao closes the distance and clinches.

Paqcuiao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A clash of legs there as Santos blocks the low kick.

Paqcuiao drives through and clinches with Santos against the ropes.
Paqcuiao looking to stall.

Paqcuiao manages to break the clinch.
Paqcuiao throws a leg kick but Santos sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch up.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but Santos is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch there but Santos circles away.
Paqcuiao is looking to clinch.
Paqcuiao is looking to score with low kicks.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Santos manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Paqcuiao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Paqcuiao clinches.
Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao misses with a hook to the ribs.

Paqcuiao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but Santos moves out of range.
Paqcuiao moves out of range of the strikes.
Santos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paqcuiao throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.
Paqcuiao throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Santos misses its intended target.
Paqcuiao is looking to clinch.
Santos blocks a head kick by Paqcuiao.

Paqcuiao has Santos up against the ropes in a clinch.
Paqcuiao tries to stall but Santos uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paqcuiao throws a right and a left that Santos avoids nicely.

Paqcuiao moves into the clinch.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paqcuiao tries to work over Santos's front leg with a kick but Santos checks it.
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!
Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paqcuiao.
Santos moves out of range of the body kick from Paqcuiao.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Paqcuiao dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Paqcuiao gets a clinch.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Santos swats away the attempt to clinch by Paqcuiao.
Antonio Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paqcuiao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santos throws out a loose jab but Paqcuiao uses good head movement to avoid it.

Paqcuiao gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Paqcuiao manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paqcuiao moves into the clinch.
Paqcuiao is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.

Paqcuiao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos throws a jab but it's blocked by Paqcuiao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paqcuiao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paqcuiao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Paqcuiao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Paqcuiao moves into range and clinches up with Santos.
Santos blocks a body shot from Paqcuiao.
Santos is trying to break the clinch but Paqcuiao has him pressed against the ropes.
Paqcuiao keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Santos's efforts to push away.
Paqcuiao is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paqcuiao seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.

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

Paqcuiao pushes Santos up against the ropes in a clinch.
Paqcuiao prevents Santos from breaking the clinch.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paqcuiao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paqcuiao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Santos paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Paqcuiao tries a head kick but it misses.
Paqcuiao throws a low kick but it's checked well by Santos.

Paqcuiao rushes Santos and presses him up against the ropes.

Paqcuiao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paqcuiao throws a chopping leg kick but Santos manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Paqcuiao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Paqcuiao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Paqcuiao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Santos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paqcuiao moves in looking to clinch but Santos pushes him off.
Paqcuiao misses the shot to the body.
Santos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paqcuiao tries to bum rush Santos with a series of wild strikes but Santos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Santos misses.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but Santos moves out of range.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but Santos is having none of it.
Paqcuiao tries to close the distance and clinch but Santos swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paqcuiao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Santos blocks a head kick by Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paqcuiao misses with a head kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao avoids the head kick by Santos.

Paqcuiao clinches up against the ropes.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Paqcuiao moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Paqcuiao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paqcuiao throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Paqcuiao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Santos's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Santos avoids the head kick by Paqcuiao.
Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Paqcuiao is just out of range.

Paqcuiao moves into the clinch.
Paqcuiao swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Paqcuiao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paqcuiao finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Santos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Paqcuiao clinches with his opponent.
Paqcuiao tries to work over Santos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paqcuiao has him pressed against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paqcuiao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Manny Paqcuiao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paqcuiao tries to land a front kick but Santos steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Paqcuiao closes the distance and clinches.

Paqcuiao breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paqcuiao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Paqcuiao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Paqcuiao moves into the clinch.
Paqcuiao is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paqcuiao swings for the body but Santos moves out of range.
Paqcuiao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Santos paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santos throws a head kick that misses.
Paqcuiao throws a series of punches but Santos avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Santos.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paqcuiao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paqcuiao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Paqcuiao takes a swing at Santos's ribcage but misses.
Santos moves out of range of the leg kick from Paqcuiao.

Santos gets tackled into the ropes by Paqcuiao. Paqcuiao maintains the clinch.
Paqcuiao effectively controlling the action here.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch.

Paqcuiao has closed the distance and engaged Santos in a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Santos as Paqcuiao tries to tie him up.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paqcuiao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paqcuiao moves in looking to clinch but Santos pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santos tries to keep at a distance but Paqcuiao has taken the fight into the clinch.

Paqcuiao breaks the clinch.
Santos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Santos moves out of range of the body kick from Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santos manages to avoid it.
Paqcuiao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santos manages to avoid it.
Paqcuiao misses with a double jab.
Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.

Paqcuiao rushes Santos and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos avoids the head kick by Paqcuiao.
Paqcuiao tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Santos manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Paqcuiao tries a head kick but it misses.
Santos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Paqcuiao instigates a clinch.
Paqcuiao effectively controlling the action here.

Paqcuiao breaks from the clinch.
Paqcuiao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santos moves away.

Paqcuiao has managed to clinch.
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!
Paqcuiao with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Santos wants to break the clinch but can't.
Antonio Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manny Paqcuiao is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Paqcuiao tries to land knees in the clinch but Santos avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Paqcuiao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Paqcuiao has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Paqcuiao!