PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Ben Ruggiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elijah Bernal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bernal has chosen SideKicks Theme as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ruggiero
vs
Bernal

166 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Excellent MT
Big right hand

Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Ruggiero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elijah Bernal!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bernal doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ruggiero throws a lazy uppercut
and Bernal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ruggiero takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A slow jab from Ruggiero misses its intended target.
Bernal throws out a powerful jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bernal, as that shot connected.
Ruggiero takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ruggiero gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bernal.
Ruggiero lands with a shot to the body.
Ruggiero dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruggiero slips a jab from Bernal.
Ruggiero swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ruggiero has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ruggiero drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ruggiero dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ruggiero misses with an uppercut. Bernal saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero throws a lazy right hand but Bernal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ruggiero swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ruggiero ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bernal moves away.
Bernal throws out a counter right but Ruggiero avoids it with no problem.
Ruggiero throws a sloppy body shot
and Bernal counters with a nice uppercut.
Ruggiero takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ruggiero tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bernal was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruggiero.
Bernal looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ruggiero slips under a jab.
Ruggiero needs to keep his hands up - Bernal had a free shot at his head there.
Bernal slips under a jab.
Bernal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ruggiero lands a glancing blow to the side of Bernal's head.
Ruggiero throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero misses with a few strikes there.
Ruggiero misses with a right hand
and Bernal counters with a nice uppercut.
Bernal takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
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!
Bernal ducks under a wild hook from Ruggiero.
Ruggiero fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bernal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Ruggiero closes the distance and clinches.
Ruggiero working aggressively here.
Ruggiero lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bernal.
Ruggiero tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ruggiero lands a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruggiero leaning his opponent against the ropes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ruggiero.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ruggiero takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bernal wants to slow Ruggiero down by chopping away at his legs.
Ruggiero is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bernal can do to turn this around?
Ruggiero swinging wildly here.
Ruggiero has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ruggiero there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ruggiero misses the shot to the body.
Bernal slips under a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bernal! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruggiero takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ruggiero's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bernal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ruggiero scrambles back to his feet.
Bernal gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bernal lands a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bernal misses with a hook
and Ruggiero counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Ruggiero closes the distance and clinches.
Ruggiero lands with a right to the head.
Ruggiero displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bernal up against the ropes.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ruggiero.
Bernal blocks an uppercut.
Bernal blocks an uppercut.
Bernal takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ruggiero fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero tries a body shot but Bernal blocks it.
Ruggiero lands with a right to the head.
Ruggiero lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruggiero has a couple of punches blocked by Bernal.
Ruggiero lands with a light punch inside.
Ruggiero doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bernal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ruggiero has him pressed against the ropes.
Ruggiero misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bernal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ruggiero misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ruggiero misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ruggiero lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bernal backwards.
Bernal takes a shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Ruggiero.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Ruggiero dominated that second 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.

Ruggiero moves into the clinch successfully.
Ruggiero works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ruggiero throws a punch but it's blocked by Bernal.
Ruggiero effectively controlling the action here.
Ruggiero misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ruggiero scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ruggiero lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bernal backwards.
Ruggiero misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Ruggiero fails to land.
Ruggiero tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bernal's elbow.
Good body shot from Ruggiero.
Ruggiero lands with a short shot to the head.
Ruggiero lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero has Bernal pressed against the ropes.
Ruggiero lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bernal.
Bernal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ruggiero lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ruggiero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bernal's efforts to push away.
Ruggiero stalls.
Bernal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Ruggiero.
Ruggiero lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ruggiero misses with some punches.
Ruggiero throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bernals head.
Ruggiero lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero struggles to land a body shot inside as Bernal controls his hands.
Bernal blocking some punches.
Ruggiero scores with a shot to the side of Bernal's head.
A short uppercut from Ruggiero.
Ruggiero lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruggiero can't find room to land a body shot as Bernal controls the action.
Ruggiero digs a right hand underneath Bernal's ribcage. Bernal let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ruggiero lands a left hand.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Ruggiero creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ruggiero lands with a left to the head.
Ruggiero misses with a body punch.
Ruggiero lands a hook that snaps the head of Bernal backwards.
Ruggiero fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Ruggiero clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ruggiero clinches up with Bernal and pushes him back against the ropes.
A right hook to the body lands for Ruggiero.
Ruggiero has a couple of punches blocked by Bernal.
Ruggiero doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ben Ruggiero has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ruggiero lands with a short shot to the head.
Ruggiero misses with a punch to the body.
Ruggiero misses with a punch on the inside.
Ruggiero lands a hook that snaps the head of Bernal backwards.
Ruggiero is working Bernal over against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernal is trying to break the clinch but Ruggiero has him pressed against the ropes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ruggiero.
Bernal is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Ruggiero has Bernal pushed against the ropes.
Ruggiero swings wildly with an uppercut but Bernal uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ruggiero lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ruggiero misses with a body punch.
Bernal takes a shot to the head.
Ruggiero has a couple of punches blocked by Bernal.
Bernal is trying to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bernal.
Bernal wants to get back to striking at distance but Ruggiero won't allow it.
Ruggiero scores with a shoulder strike.
Ruggiero misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ruggiero lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ruggiero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bernal's efforts to push away.
Ruggiero scores with a shoulder strike.
Bernal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ruggiero lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ruggiero.

Bernal is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Ruggiero creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bernal is still on wobbly legs! Can Ruggiero finish him?
Ruggiero lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ruggiero tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ruggiero throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bernals head.
Bernal has had enough of the clinch but Ruggiero keeps him there for the moment.
Ruggiero throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short uppercut from Ruggiero.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Ruggiero had his way with Elijah Bernal in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ruggiero misses with a left hand
and Bernal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bernal seems to have recovered his senses.
Ruggiero misses with a left hand
enabling Bernal to counter with a crisp jab.

Ruggiero closes the distance and clinches.
Bernal blocks an uppercut.
Ruggiero lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ruggiero lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bernal.
Ruggiero stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bernal can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruggiero throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bernals head.
Bernal is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bernal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ruggiero misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ruggiero lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Ruggiero leaning against his opponent.
Ruggiero lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ruggiero working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ruggiero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bernal's efforts to push away.
A short right from Ruggiero.
Bernal is trying to push Ruggiero away but Ruggiero has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Ruggiero lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ruggiero works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ruggiero lands a shot to the body.
A short body shot lands from Ruggiero as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero lands a shoulder strike.
Ruggiero is leaning against Bernal and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Ruggiero on the inside.
Ruggiero can't find room to land a body shot as Bernal controls the action.
Nice body punch from Ruggiero - that landed with a thud.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruggiero scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ruggiero lands a shot to the body.
Ruggiero scores with a hook to the body.
Ruggiero will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bernal up against the ropes.
Ruggiero lands a nice shot to the body.
Elijah Bernal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ruggiero lands a shoulder strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Ruggiero showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ruggiero, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 50:43
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 50:43
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Ruggiero!