PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Nicolosi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Shanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicolosi's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, A Fistful Of Dollars by Ennio Morricone. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Nicolosi
vs
Shanks

192 cm
26
276 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

188 cm
26
252 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250
Sun-Tzu

Perkele!
V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Nicolosi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mickey Shanks!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shanks connects with a right hand. Nicolosi shakes it off.

It looks like Frank Nicolosi has been cut.
Nicolosi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A slow jab from Shanks misses its intended target.
Nicolosi scores with a hook.
Nicolosi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shanks misses with a looping right.
Nicolosi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nicolosi throws a solid leg kick but Shanks takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nicolosi.
Shanks's coach down at Sali was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shanks's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Nicolosi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nicolosi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shanks throws out the jab.
Nicolosi thuds his shin into the meat of Shanks's side.
Shanks throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shanks lands with an overhand left.
Nicolosi throws a right and a left that Shanks avoids nicely.
Shanks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shanks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shanks with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicolosi thuds a left hand into Shanks's body.
Good standup being displayed there by Shanks as he connects with a hook.
Shanks throws a right hand that misses
and Nicolosi counters with a stiff right hand.
Nicolosi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nicolosi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nicolosi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shanks throws the kick towards the body but Nicolosi avoids it.
Nicolosi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Shanks's calf.
Nicolosi jabs at Shanks's body.
Nicolosi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nicolosi looks to throw the jab but Shanks is out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nicolosi.
Nicolosi swats away the attempt to clinch by Shanks.
Mickey Shanks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicolosi throws a head kick but Shanks moves out of range.
Nicolosi lands a slapping body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab, jab by Shanks - just one landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicolosi tries to score with a low kick but Shanks moves his leg out of the way.
Shanks lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nicolosi throws a body shot but no joy.
Nicolosi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shanks was well out of range. Poor timing from Nicolosi.
Shanks feints a counter leg kick.
Shanks throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Nicolosi counters with a leg kick.
Nicolosi swings for the body but Shanks moves out of range.
Shanks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nicolosi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nicolosi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nicolosi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nicolosi staying out of range there.
Nicolosi throws a leg kick which misses Shanks's front leg but catches the back leg as Shanks tries to avoid it.
Nice body kick there by Nicolosi.
Nicolosi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shanks.
Nicolosi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shanks throws a jab but it's blocked by Nicolosi.
Shanks scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nicolosi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks throws a lazy right hand but Nicolosi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shanks.
Nicolosi is looking to counter with a body kick.
Nicolosi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nicolosi thows a body kick. Shanks tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Shanks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nicolosi on the side of the head.
Nicolosi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shanks was well out of range. Poor timing from Nicolosi.
Nicolosi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Shanks takes a step back to recover.
Shanks scores with a nice strike.
Shanks throws a leg kick
and Nicolosi counters with a stiff right hand.
Nicolosi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Shanks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Donk. Shanks catches Nicolosi right on the button with a cross.
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!
Nicolosi scores with a one two! Shanks had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Shanks scores with a nice head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicolosi throws a push kick but Shanks slaps the foot to one side.
Nicolosi misses with a body shot.
Nicolosi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shanks throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shanks fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nicolosi is looking to wear down Shanks with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Shanks thuds his shin into the meat of Nicolosi's side.
Nicolosi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shanks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nicolosi thinks about countering with a body kick.
Nicolosi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shanks can pounce on him.
Nicolosi tries to bum rush Shanks with a series of wild strikes but Shanks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shanks throws out a counter right but Nicolosi avoids it with no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shanks with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicolosi.
Shanks is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Nicolosi had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nicolosi connects with a right hand. Shanks shakes it off.
Shanks misses with a lunging right hand
and Nicolosi counters with a leg kick.
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 Frank Nicolosi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frank Nicolosi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A slow jab from Shanks misses its intended target.
Shanks throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling Nicolosi to counter with a crisp jab.
Shanks scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shanks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicolosi.
Shanks tries to land a leg kick but Nicolosi saw it coming and moves away.
Nicolosi misses with a body kick.
Nicolosi connects with a right hand. Shanks shakes it off.
Shanks throws a body punch but Nicolosi moves out of range.
Shanks lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shanks throws a wild body kick that Nicolosi sees coming a mile off.
A counter left hand to the body from Nicolosi misses its target.
Nicolosi wants to slow Shanks down by chopping away at his legs.
Shanks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nice defenses there by Nicolosi.
Nicolosi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shanks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicolosi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shanks tries to land a body kick
enabling Nicolosi to counter with a crisp jab.
Nicolosi cracks Shanks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Shanks scores with the left hand. Nicolosi knows he should have avoided that one.
Nicolosi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shanks wants to land a leg kick but Nicolosi is out of range.
Shanks misses with a hook
and Nicolosi counters with a right hand to the body.
Nicolosi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shanks's hands.
Nicolosi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Shanks doesn't seem bothered though.
Shanks lands with a nice body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shanks lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nicolosi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nicolosi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nicolosi misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shanks! But no joy.
Nicolosi scores with a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shanks throws a head kick that Nicolosi semi-blocks.
A low kick from Shanks is predictable there
and Nicolosi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Shanks might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Nicolosi has got the better of the exchanges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks throws a head kick that half lands.
Nicolosi just misses with a punch to the body.
A low kick from Shanks is predictable there
and Nicolosi counters with a three punch combo that has Shanks backing up. Shanks nods at Nicolosi to acknowledge the strikes.
Nicolosi misses with a straight left.
Shanks misses with a looping right.
Shanks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shanks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shanks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nicolosi.
Nicolosi lunges at Shanks with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shanks's hand.
Shanks throws a body shot but no joy.
Nicolosi throws a hook but Shanks blocks it.
Shanks tries a quick counter leg kick but Nicolosi is wise to it.
Shanks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
It looked like Nicolosi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Shanks.
Nicolosi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Shanks. Shanks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nicolosi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nicolosi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shanks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicolosi misses with a double jab.
Shanks misses with a lunging right hand
and Nicolosi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nicolosi misses with a leg kick.
Nicolosi misses with a series of wild punches.
A nice leg kick lands there from Shanks.
Shanks misses with a left hand
and Nicolosi counters with a nice body shot.
Nicolosi connects with an inside leg kick.
Nicolosi works Shanks's body with a nice hook.
Shanks connects with a leg kick. Nicolosi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shanks misses with a body kick.
Shanks swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Nicolosi to counter with a crisp jab.
Shanks throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Nicolosi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shanks is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks throws a jab when Nicolosi was well out of range.
Nicolosi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Frank Nicolosi is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A lazy body kick from Shanks
and Nicolosi counters with a nice leg kick.
Nicolosi misses with a body kick.
Shanks walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nicolosi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nicolosi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shanks can do to turn this around?
Nicolosi throws a shot to the body.
Shanks is looking to clinch.
Shanks dips to his left and cracks Nicolosi with an uppercut!
Shanks gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Nicolosi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nicolosi misses with a hook. Shanks ducked under it nicely.
Nicolosi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Shanks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shanks throws a head kick that misses
and Nicolosi counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Nicolosi throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nicolosi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Nicolosi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Frank Nicolosi's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nicolosi throws a push kick but Shanks slaps the foot to one side.
Shanks misses with an attempted mid kick.
Good work by Nicolosi as he checks the leg kick.
Nicolosi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Shanks counters with a good low kick that Nicolosi was not able to check.
Shanks throws a lazy body kick
and Nicolosi counters with a left and a right that stings Shanks.
Shanks misses the jab.
Nicolosi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shanks.
Shanks is looking to slow Nicolosi down with leg kicks.
Nicolosi ducks under a wild hook from Shanks.
Nicolosi misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicolosi scores with a jab.
Nicolosi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Shanks counters with a stiff right hand.
A swing and a miss from Shanks.
Shanks throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanks lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
That kick from Nicolosi tenderised Shanks's leg. Shanks is trying to keep his angry face on.
Shanks throws a head kick but Nicolosi moves out of range.
Nicolosi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nicolosi throws a hook but Shanks blocks it.
Nicolosi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shanks misses with a looping right.
Nicolosi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Shanks throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nicolosi scores with a shot to the body.
Shanks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shanks takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shanks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jab by Shanks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good leg kick by Nicolosi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nicolosi throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A jab from Shanks misses.
Shanks throws a leg kick but Nicolosi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shanks throws a leg kick that misses.
Nicolosi throws a head kick but Shanks moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Nicolosi.
Shanks misses with a looping left.
Shanks lands a really nice looking cross but Nicolosi seems unphased.
Nicolosi scores with a jab to the head.
Shanks throws a leg kick that misses.
Nicolosi quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Shanks throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nicolosi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Nicolosi throws a jab when Shanks was well out of range.
Shanks has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks misses with an uppercut.
Nicolosi lands a head kick!
Shanks fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nicolosi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nicolosi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shanks.
Nicolosi takes a swing at Shanks's ribcage but misses.
Shanks misses with an uppercut
letting Nicolosi counter with a right hand.
Shanks throws a good cross that connects.
Nicolosi jabs Shanks to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Shanks throws an off balance right hand
and Nicolosi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nicolosi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nicolosi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Shanks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicolosi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
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!
Shanks throws a right hand that misses
and Nicolosi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nicolosi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shanks swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nicolosi throws the kick towards the body but Shanks avoids it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shanks! But no joy.
Shanks misses with a left hand
and Nicolosi counters with a nice body kick.
Nicolosi sizes up Shanks with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Shanks scores with a kick to the midsection.
Nice straight punches there by Nicolosi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nicolosi.
Shanks has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nicolosi.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Shanks crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nicolosi - the referee stops the clock and Shanks gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nicolosi. Shanks manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nicolosi throws a hook but Shanks blocks it.
Shanks wants to slow Nicolosi down by chopping away at his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Nicolosi clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Frank Nicolosi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A head kick misses from Shanks.
Nicolosi cracks Shanks with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shanks lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nicolosi at a distance.
Shanks takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Shanks throws a head kick that misses.
Nicolosi's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Nicolosi tries a head kick but it misses.
Shanks thows a leg kick but Nicolosi checks it
and Nicolosi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shanks lands a nice shot to the body.
Shanks misses with a head kick.
Nicolosi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicolosi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shanks.
Nicolosi misses with a right hand
and Shanks counters with a thumping low kick.
The fighters circling - Shanks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Nicolosi does it's job there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shanks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicolosi walks into a straight right hand from Shanks.
Shanks throws a body shot but no joy.
Nicolosi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shanks walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nicolosi.
Nicolosi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shanks.
Nicolosi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nicolosi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Shanks releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Shanks rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nicolosi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
An inside leg kick from Nicolosi misses.
It seemed like Shanks was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nicolosi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shanks moves away.
Shanks takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A low kick from Shanks is predictable there
and Nicolosi counters with a thumping low kick.
Some wild striking there from Nicolosi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nicolosi moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nicolosi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Shanks closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nicolosi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Shanks has a couple of punches blocked by Nicolosi.
Nicolosi lands an elbow inside.
Shanks throws a punch but it's blocked by Nicolosi.
A head punch on the inside from Shanks fails to land.
Nicolosi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Shanks.
Nicolosi scores with a shot to the side of Shanks's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks tries to throw a body punch but Nicolosi avoids it by throwing Shanks back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nicolosi misses with a body punch.
Shanks tries a body shot but Nicolosi blocks it.
Shanks misses with a punch to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nicolosi is looking to control Shanks's arms but Shanks gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nicolosi has his back to the cage.
Shanks tries a body shot but Nicolosi blocks it.
Shanks blocks an uppercut.
Nicolosi lands a hook that snaps the head of Shanks backwards.
Shanks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nicolosi misses with a knee to the head.
Shanks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nicolosi lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nicolosi digs a right hand underneath Shanks's ribcage. Shanks let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shanks blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shanks.
Shanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nicolosi working aggressively here.
A right handed body shot lands from Shanks.
Nicolosi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Shanks tries a body shot but Nicolosi blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nicolosi.
Shanks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shanks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shanks misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nicolosi can't find room to land a body shot as Shanks controls the action.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Frank Nicolosi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frank Nicolosi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shanks slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nicolosi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shanks throws an overhand right that lands on Nicolosi's shoulder, as Nicolosi tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Shanks.
Shanks throws a half hearted mid kick.
A little feinted left hand from Nicolosi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nicolosi 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.
Nicolosi misses with a low kick.
Nicolosi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shanks scores with the left hand. Nicolosi knows he should have avoided that one.
Nicolosi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shanks feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nicolosi's calf.
Nicolosi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shanks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicolosi scores with a jab. Shanks acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A low kick from Nicolosi is predictable there
enabling Shanks to counter with a crisp jab.
Nicolosi with a nice cross.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shanks.
Nicolosi misses with a low kick as Shanks jumps back.
Nice body kick from Shanks.

Shanks moves into the clinch successfully.
Shanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nicolosi's elbow.
Nicolosi lands an elbow inside that Shanks shrugs off.
Shanks avoiding damage as Nicolosi throws knees to the body.
Shanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nicolosi can't find room to land a body shot as Shanks controls the action.
Shanks lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mickey Shanks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks tries to work over Nicolosi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shanks working aggressively here.
Mickey Shanks seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shanks tries to throw a body punch but Nicolosi avoids it by throwing Shanks back against the cage.
Shanks misses with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Nicolosi scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shanks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shanks lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nicolosi.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Shanks scores with a nice hook to the head.
Shanks tries to throw a body punch but Nicolosi avoids it by throwing Shanks back against the cage.
Shanks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nicolosi is looking to control Shanks's arms but Shanks gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nicolosi has his back to the cage.
Shanks lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nicolosi backwards.
Nicolosi prevents a body shot from Shanks.
Nicolosi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nicolosi can't find room to land a body shot as Shanks controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks misses with a punch on the inside.
Shanks makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nicolosi creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shanks's defenses.
Good body shot from Shanks.
Shanks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shanks tries to work over Nicolosi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shanks is leaning against Nicolosi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shanks lands a right hand.
Shanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shanks scores with a nice hook to the head.
Shanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Nicolosi controls his hands.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nicolosi.
Shanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shanks misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shanks lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Shanks.
Shanks lands a hook that snaps the head of Nicolosi backwards.
Shanks scores with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shanks working aggressively here.
Shanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shanks tries a body shot but Nicolosi blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shanks.
Nicolosi blocks a body shot from Shanks.
Nicolosi has a couple of punches blocked by Shanks.
Shanks blocks an elbow strike from Nicolosi.
Shanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Nicolosi controls his hands.
Shanks lands a body punch in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mickey Shanks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nicolosi 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 49:46
Judge George Francis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Nicolosi!
Frank Nicolosi retains his heavyweight title!
Frank Nicolosi managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Sun-Tzu, into his post fight interview.