PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Einar Annar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Sykes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Einar Annar has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Annar
vs
Sykes

185 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

191 cm
26
220 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Einar Annar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mark Sykes!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Annar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sykes.
Annar on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Annar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sykes.
Annar sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sykes lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sykes paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sykes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice body punch from Sykes.
Annar scores with a nice strike.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sykes.
Annar throws a good cross that connects.
Annar seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sykes slips under a jab from Annar.
Sykes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sykes 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.
Sykes misses with a body kick.
Sykes scores with a leg kick.
Annar steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sykes. That one must have hurt.
Annar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sykes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Annar steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sykes. That one must have hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Sykes misses the target.
Sykes throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Annar to counter with a crisp jab.

Sykes moves into the clinch.
Sykes can't find room to land a body shot as Annar controls the action.
Annar lands an uppercut.
Sykes taking a breather.

Sykes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sykes throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sykes explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Sykes gets a clinch.
Sykes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Annar misses with a punch to the body.
Sykes scores with a knee to the head.
Annar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right from Annar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykes tries to land knees in the clinch but Annar avoids the damage to the body.

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

Annar takes the fight into the clinch.
Annar gets through Sykes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sykes.

Sykes breaks from the clinch.
Sykes throws a right and a left that Annar avoids nicely.
A quick step to the side and Annar tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mark Sykes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Annar tries to clinch but Sykes is having none of it.
Annar takes a swing at Sykes's ribcage but misses.
Sykes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Annar.
A good leg kick by Sykes.
Sykes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Annar's sensitive parts.
Sykes scores with a push kick.
Annar has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sykes.
Sykes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Annar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykes ducks under a wild hook from Annar.
Annar takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Sykes dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Annar. That did some damage!
Annar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Annar moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSykes.
Sykes connects with a crisp jab.
Sykes lands with a nice body kick.
Annar will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Annar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sykes cracks Annar with an open hand slap.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Annar blocks an uppercut.
Sykes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Annar is breathing heavily.
Sykes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Annar in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A hook to the body from Sykes.
Sykes's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sykes struggles to land a body shot inside as Annar controls his hands.
Sykes scores a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Sykes.
Annar prevents a body shot from Sykes.
Annar is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sykes misses with the head strike.
Sykes is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Annar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short uppercut from Sykes.
Sykes taking a breather.
Sykes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sykes blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Sykes manages to break the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sykes lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sykes connects with an inside leg kick.
Sykes lands a leg kick that knocks Annar off balance momentarily.
Sykes lands with a nice body kick.
Sykes throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sykes throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sykes dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Annar. That did some damage!
Sykes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Sykes closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Sykes.
Sykes tries a body shot but Annar blocks it.
Annar avoiding damage as Sykes throws knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sykes stalling the fight.
Annar lands a hook to the side of the head.

Sykes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Annar takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sykes lands with a cross.

Sykes has managed to clinch.
Annar lands a body punch.
Sykes is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Annar is keeping busy.
Annar avoiding damage as Sykes throws knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sykes.
Sykes tries a knee to the head but Annar blocks it.
Annar blocks an uppercut.
Sykes connects with a knee to the head.
Annar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Annar keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sykes's efforts to push away.
Sykes landing knees to the body.
Sykes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Annar in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sykes unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Sykes.
Sykes lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Sykes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sykes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sykes.
Sykes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Annar throws a jab but it's blocked by Sykes.
Sykes lets loose with a powerful body kick. Annar will feel that in the morning.
Annar takes a swing at Sykes's ribcage but misses.
Sykes tries a quick counter leg kick but Annar is wise to it.
Annar walks into a straight right hand from Sykes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sykes's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sykes prevents a body shot from Annar.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sykes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Annar backwards.
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!
Sykes tries a body shot but Annar blocks it.

Sykes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sykes.
Sykes plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sykes thumps Annar with a low kick.
Annar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sykes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Annar ducks under a wild hook from Sykes.
Sykes scores with a leg kick.
Annar takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Annar on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Annar moves in looking to clinch but Sykes pushes him off.
Sykes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Annar on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sykes lands a leg kick that knocks Annar off balance momentarily.
Annar throws a looping overhand right but Sykes ducks down to avoid it.
Sykes lands a nice shot that snaps Annar's head back.
Annar throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sykes plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sykes throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sykes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Annar moves into the clinch.
Annar being controlled against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Annar.
A right hand to the body from Sykes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Sykes dominated 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. This is the final round!

Annar takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Annar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sykes was well out of range. Poor timing from Annar.

Annar clinches.
Annar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sykes throws a knee to the head but misses.

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

Sykes gets a clinch.
Sykes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sykes lands a good knee to the midsection. Annar won't want to take too many of those.
Sykes is trying to break the clinch but Annar has him pressed against the cage.
Sykes struggles to land a body shot inside as Annar controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sykes with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Annar swings wildly with an uppercut but Sykes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sykes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Annar lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sykes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees to the body from Sykes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sykes.
Sykes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sykes lands a nice knee to the body.
Nice body punch from Sykes.
Nice body punch from Sykes.
Mark Sykes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Sykes manages to break the clinch.
Sykes thuds his shin into the meat of Annar's side.
Sykes lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sykes plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sykes lands with a kick to the ribs.
Sykes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sykes slips a jab from Annar.
Sykes replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Annar blocks it well.
Annar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sykes tries to counter with a clinch but Annar shakes him off and moves away.
Annar on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sykes. Sykes obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sykes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sykes avoids a kick to the body.

Annar tries to keep at a distance but Sykes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Annar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sykes's elbow.
Annar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sykes tries to land knees in the clinch but Annar avoids the damage to the body.

Sykes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sykes slips under a jab from Annar.
Annar misses with an uppercut. Sykes saw that one coming.
Sykes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Annar throws a hook to the side of Sykes's head but Sykes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sykes's jab looks to have found its range, popping Annar under the eye.
Sykes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Annar.
Sykes tries a quick counter leg kick but Annar is wise to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Sykes slams his shin into Annar's torso.
Sykes connects with a nice looking jab.
Sykes digs a good hook to Annar's body.
Sykes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Annar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sykes.
Sykes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Sykes.
Sykes lands a high kick!
Sykes catches Annar with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sykes tries to land a front kick but Annar steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Annar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sykes.
Sykes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body kick from Sykes.

Sykes has closed the distance and engaged Annar in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sykes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sykes looks to land a combination. Annar sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Annar is rocked!
Jab from Sykes.
Oh Annar is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Annar jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Sykes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Annar, pushing him back against the cage.
Annar letting Sykes take a breather here.
Annar seems to have got his legs back now.
Annar scores with a hook to the body.
Annar's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Annar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sykes's elbow.
Sykes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Annar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sykes's elbow.
Annar avoiding damage as Sykes throws knees to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Annar struggles to land a body shot inside as Sykes controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sykes.
Sykes is trying to stall.
Sykes working aggressively here.
Sykes tries to land a knee to the head but Annar blocks with his arms.
Sykes is trying to force a seperation but Annar has the dominant position.
Annar lands a nice shot to the body.
Annar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sykes connects with a knee to the head.
Annar misses with a hook to the ribs.

Sykes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sykes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Annar.
Sykes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Annar scores with a sloppy right hand. Sykes should have avoided that one.
Sykes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sykes thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Annar if he has to take too many more of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Annar bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sykes's head backwards.
Sykes throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Annar needs to keep his hands up - Sykes had a free shot at his head there.
Mark Sykes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sykes buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sykes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sykes throws a leg kick but Annar sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sykes throws a head kick that misses.
Sykes misses with a double jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Annar misses its target.
Annar avoids the head kick by Sykes.
Annar's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Sykes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Annar.
Sykes walks into a straight right hand from Annar.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Annar misses the jab.
Sykes throws a half hearted mid kick.
Annar appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Sykes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sykes feints and then cracks Annar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Annar down.
Sykes with a nice cross.
Sykes moves out of range as Annar strikes.
Annar misses with a few strikes there.
Einar Annar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sykes darts in and clinches Annar up against the cage.
Annar scores with a nice hook to the head.
Annar tries to work over Sykes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Annar tries to throw a body punch but Sykes avoids it by throwing Annar back against the cage.
Annar misses with a punch to the body.
Sykes crunches a lovely knee into Annar's ribcage.
Sykes connects with a knee to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Sykes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Annar throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sykess head.
Sykes lands a knee to the body.
Annar takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sykes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Annar lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sykes lands a knee to the head.
Annar lands with a light punch inside.
Sykes tries a body shot but Annar blocks it.
Sykes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sykes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Annar.
Sykes blocks a body shot from Annar.
Annar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Annar misses with the head strike.
Sykes with a knee to the head.
Annar on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Annar on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sykes crunches a lovely knee into Annar's ribcage.
Sykes misses with a body punch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sykes can't break the clinch.
Sykes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sykes blocking some punches.
Annar lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sykes backwards.
Annar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sykes takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Annar lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mark Sykes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Annar lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Annar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Annar misses with the head strike.
Annar lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Annar is working Sykes over against the cage.
Annar swings wildly with an uppercut but Sykes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sykes landing knees to the head.
Sykes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Sykes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sykes 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight for Mark Sykes!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for Mark Sykes!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Mark Sykes!

Mark Sykes wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Mark Sykes thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.