PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Simon Kanitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Qing Kong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kanitz
vs
Kong

186 cm
27
172 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

177 cm
38
171 lbs
42 - 12 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER
Mohito Fightwear

Apex
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Simon Kanitz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Qing Kong!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kong takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kong throws a hook but Kanitz avoids it easily.

Kong rushes Kanitz and presses him up against the ropes.
Kong looking to throw knees to the head but Kanitz is blocking nicely.
I was talking to Kanitz's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kanitz lands a shoulder strike.
Kong told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Kanitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kong with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kong tries to circle away but Kanitz has him pinned against the ropes.
Kong throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kanitz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kanitz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kanitz lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kanitz tries to throw a body punch but Kong avoids it by throwing Kanitz back against the ropes.
Kanitz lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kong blocking some punches.
Kong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kanitz misses with a punch on the inside.
Kong blocks a body shot from Kanitz.
Kanitz swings wildly with an uppercut but Kong uses good head movement to avoid 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!
Kong misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kanitz blocks it with crossed arms.
Kong lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kanitz backwards.
Kanitz swings wildly with an uppercut but Kong uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kong throws an elbow but misses.
Kanitz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kanitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kong missing with knees to the body.
Kong has a couple of punches blocked by Kanitz.
Kanitz lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kanitz misses with a body punch.

Kanitz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kanitz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kong throws a leg kick which misses Kanitz's front leg but catches the back leg as Kanitz tries to avoid it.
Kong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kanitz can pounce on him.
Kanitz 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz throws a hook to the side of Kong's head but Kong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kong throws a series of punches but Kanitz moves out of range.
Kanitz is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kong misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kanitz counters with a thumping low kick.
Kong misses with a leg kick
and Kanitz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kanitz connects with an inside leg kick.
Kong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kong swings widly with a right hand
letting Kanitz counter with a right hand.
Kanitz fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kong checks it well.
Kong misses with a leg kick.
Kong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kanitz can pounce on him.
Kanitz paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Kong drives through and clinches with Kanitz against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz gets through Kong's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kanitz throws a head punch that misses.
Kanitz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kanitz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kanitz struggles to land a body shot inside as Kong controls his hands.
Kanitz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kong lands an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short left from Kong.
Kong lands a knee to the body.
Kong working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kong prevents a body shot from Kanitz.
Kanitz wants to stall.
Kanitz managing to block the knees to the body from Kong.
Kong stalling in the clinch but Kanitz improves position.
Kanitz working hard to break the clinch.
Kanitz managing to block the knees to the body from Kong.
Kanitz looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz lands a nice uppercut.
Kanitz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kanitz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Kanitz misses with the head strike.
Kanitz struggles to land a body shot inside as Kong controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from Kanitz as the two fighters clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Kong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kanitz tries to throw a body punch but Kong avoids it by throwing Kanitz back against the ropes.
Kong landing knees to the body.
Kanitz throws a punch but it's blocked by Kong.
Kong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kanitz is defending well for now.
Kanitz digs a right hand underneath Kong's ribcage. Kong let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kanitz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kanitz tries to work over Kong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kong can't find room to land a body shot as Kanitz controls the action.
A right hook to the body lands for Kong.
Kong blocks an uppercut.
Kanitz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kong pushes Kanitz back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Simon Kanitz will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kanitz throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kanitz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kong scores with a punch to the head.
Kanitz looks to score with a jab to the body but Kong is just out of range.
Kong misses with a jab to the body
and Kanitz counters with a nice leg kick.
Kong feints a jab promting Kanitz to slip. Kong then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kanitz slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kanitz misses with a left hand
and Kanitz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kanitz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kanitz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kanitz.
Kong throws a counter combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kong misses with a body kick.
Kanitz throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong tries to land a leg kick but Kanitz saw it coming and moves away.
Kong throws the kick towards the body but Kanitz avoids it.
Kanitz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kanitz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kanitz lands a nice shot to the body.
Kong misses with the combination.
Kanitz connects with the punch.
Kanitz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kong.
Kanitz throwing a counter right hand but Kong manages to avoid it.
Kanitz takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kong throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kong connects with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong connects with a crisp jab.
Kanitz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kong scores with a hook to the body. Kanitz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kanitz lands a right hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kong moves out of range of the leg kick from Kanitz.
Kanitz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kanitz just misses with a punch to the body.
Kong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanitz was well out of range. Poor timing from Kong.
Kong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kanitz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A head kick misses from Kanitz.
Kanitz sets himself, and Kong steps forward looking for the clinch! Kanitz avoids it this time.
Kanitz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kong is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz misses with a wild body shot.
Kanitz sets himself, and Kong steps forward looking for the clinch! Kanitz avoids it this time.
Kong misses with a low kick.
Kanitz thuds his right hand into Kong's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kong's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kanitz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kong scrambles back to his feet.
Qing Kong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kanitz scores with a jab to the body.
Kong throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kanitz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kong throws a body punch but Kanitz moves out of range.
Kong throws a wild body kick that Kanitz sees coming a mile off.
Kanitz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kanitz misses with an uppercut. Kong saw that one coming.
Kanitz lands a lovely overhand right.
Kanitz moves out of range as Kong throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kong.
Kanitz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kong's hands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanitz throws a hook but Kong blocks it.
Kanitz throws a looping overhand right but Kong ducks down to avoid it.
Kong throws a big shot that misses.
Kanitz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kanitz throws a right hand that misses
and Kong cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kanitz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kanitz throws a body shot but no joy.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kong.
Kong thuds his right hand into Kanitz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Qing Kong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kong walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kanitz.
Kanitz throws out a loose jab but Kong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kanitz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kanitz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kong throws an off balance right hand
and Kanitz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kanitz.
Kanitz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kong connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kanitz scrambles back to his feet.
Kong lands a leg kick that knocks Kanitz off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong looks to land a left hand but Kanitz moved out of range nicely.
Kanitz moves away from the strike by Kong.
A low kick from Kong misses
and Kanitz makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kong's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanitz manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanitz thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kong if he has to take too many more of those.
Kong scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kanitz doesn't seem bothered though.
A head kick misses from Kanitz.
Kong throws a body punch but Kanitz moves out of range.
Kong scores with a jab. Kanitz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kanitz catches Kong with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kanitz throws a body shot but no joy.
Kong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kanitz takes one on the button.
Kong just misses with a punch to the body.
Kanitz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong lands a glancing blow to the side of Kanitz's head.
Kong connects with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kong misses with a body shot
and Kanitz counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice uppercut there from Kong.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kanitz. Kong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kong ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kanitz scores with a jab.
Kong throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kong moves away from the strike by Kanitz.
Kong blocks a jab.
Kanitz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong lands a lovely overhand right.
Kanitz has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kong finds it's way round the side to connect with Kanitz's head.
Kong misses with a kick to the body.
Kanitz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kong was well out of range. Poor timing from Kanitz.
A cross from Kong lands.
Kong blocks a head kick by Kanitz.
Kong cracks Kanitz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice defenses there by Kong.
Kanitz throws a leg kick but Kong checks it.
Kong wants to counter with a clinch but Kanitz pushes him away.
Kong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kanitz throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kong moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kanitz moves out of range of the strikes.
Kanitz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kong was well out of range. Poor timing from Kanitz.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kanitz takes a swing at Kong's ribcage but misses.
Kong tries a quick counter leg kick but Kanitz is wise to it.
Kanitz throws a hook but Kong avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Kong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kong avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kanitz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kanitz looks to score with a jab to the body but Kong is just out of range.
Kong looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kanitz throws a low kick, looking for Kong's leg but Kong calmly moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Kong there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kong misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Qing Kong just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kanitz swings for the body but Kong moves out of range.
Kanitz catches Kong with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kong motions for Kanitz to come forward. Kong throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kong misses with a straight left.
Kanitz turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kanitz connects with a looping right hand.
Kong slips under a jab from Kanitz.
Kong checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kanitz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kanitz looks to land a left hand but Kong moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Kanitz misses its intended target.
Kong tries to counter with a clinch but Kanitz shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kong.
Kong is looking to clinch.
Nice shot by Kanitz.
Kanitz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kong's head.
Kong wants to clinch up but Kanitz keeps it at a distance.

Kong fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kanitz, pushing him back against the ropes.
Kong has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kong blocks an uppercut.
Kanitz misses with the head strike.
Kanitz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kong cracks Kanitz with a nice body shot.
Kong missing with knees to the body.
Kanitz cracks Kong with a nice body shot.
Kong tries to land knees in the clinch but Kanitz avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kong throws an elbow but misses.
A short body shot lands from Kanitz as the two fighters clinch.
Kanitz misses with a punch to the body.
Kanitz lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kong lands a nice uppercut.
Kanitz swings wildly with an uppercut but Kong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kanitz avoids it.
Kanitz misses with the head strike.
Kanitz swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kanitz breaks the clinch.
Kong throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kanitz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kong takes a swing at Kanitz's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong slips a straight right by Kanitz.
Kong is trying to counter with his kicks.
Kong sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kanitz cracks Kong with a good jab.
Kanitz lunges at Kong with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kong's hand.
Kanitz looks to land a left hand but Kong moved out of range nicely.
Kanitz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kong lands an overhand right.
Kanitz throws a solid leg kick but Kong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kanitz.
Kong looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kanitz connects with the punch.
Kanitz connects with a leg kick. Kong looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kanitz throws a jab when Kong was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong throws a head kick that Kanitz semi-blocks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kong walks into a jab.
Kanitz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kanitz throws out the jab.
Kong wants to counter the offense by Kanitz and move into the clinch position.
Kanitz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kong avoids the body shot from Kanitz.
Kanitz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A lazy left from Kong finds it's target.
Kong misses with a few strikes there.
Kong throws a leg kick but Kanitz checks it.
Kong moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Kanitz had his way with Qing Kong 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!

Kong throws a solid leg kick but Kanitz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kong.
Kong attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kong works Kanitz's body with a nice hook.
Kanitz throws a front kick that sends Kong stumbling back into the ropes.
Kanitz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kong connects with a nice looking jab.
Kanitz with a hook.
Kong lands with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kong throws out a loose jab but Kanitz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kanitz throws a hook to the side of Kong's head but Kong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kanitz cracks Kong with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanitz swats away the attempt to clinch by Kong.
Kanitz throws a right hand that misses
and Kong counters with a nice leg kick.
Kanitz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kong.
Kanitz connects with a body shot.
Kanitz throws a big shot that misses.
Kong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kanitz.
A big right from Kanitz misses.
Kanitz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Kanitz.
Kong lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kong checks a low kick from Kanitz.
Kanitz sets himself, and Kong steps forward looking for the clinch! Kanitz avoids it this time.
Kanitz connects with a body shot that sends Kong's belly button to the back.
Some bone on bone action there as Kong checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kong.
Kong takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanitz lands with a good body shot.
Kong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kanitz.
Nice uppercut lands for Kong. That snapped Kanitz's head back.
Kong throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Kanitz to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong throws a lazy uppercut
and Kanitz counters with a stiff right hand.
Kong scoring well with a low kick there.
Kanitz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kanitz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kong lands a glancing blow to the side of Kanitz's head.
A good leg kick by Kong.
Kanitz ducks under a wild hook from Kong.
It looked like Kanitz was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kong.
Kanitz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kanitz ducks under a wild hook from Kong.
Kanitz throws a head kick but Kong moves out of range.
Kong wants to clinch up but Kanitz keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong misses with a low kick.
Kanitz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kanitz throws a head kick that Kong semi-blocks.
Kanitz misses with a right hand
and Kong counters with a left to the body.
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!
Kong uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kanitz throws the left hand but Kong avoids the punch easily.
Kong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kanitz throws out the jab.
Simon Kanitz is winning the standup battle so far.
Kong blocks a jab.
Kanitz throws a leg kick but Kong moved away.
Kong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kanitz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Kong misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Simon Kanitz.
I think Kanitz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Simon Kanitz!
Simon Kanitz retains his welterweight title!