PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Tugg Speedman (ranked 6026 p4p, 91 weight class) and James Raban (ranked 7197 p4p, 243 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Speedman
vs
Raban

186 cm
28
193 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

200 cm
41
270 lbs
23 - 25 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tugg Speedman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 25 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Raban!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Speedman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raban.
Raban lands with a nice body punch.
Speedman looks to land a combination but Raban avoids it well.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Speedman.
Speedman throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Speedman fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Raban.
Raban avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Raban rushes Speedman and presses him up against the ropes.
Raban wants to stall.
Speedman tries to throw a body punch but Raban avoids it by throwing Speedman back against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Raban content to slow the pace in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Speedman breaks the clinch.
Speedman scores with a one two! Raban had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Raban misses the target.
Speedman looks to score with a jab to the body but Raban is just out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Raban.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Speedman looks to score with a jab to the body but Raban is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speedman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raban throws out the jab.
Raban 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.
Speedman walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Tugg Speedman has been cut.
Some wild striking there from Speedman.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raban! But no joy.
Raban throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Speedman's jab looks to have found its range, popping Raban under the eye.
Speedman lands with a cross.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Speedman.
Raban throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raban lands a jab to Speedman's midsection.
Raban throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raban steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Speedman. That one must have hurt.

Speedman moves into range and clinches up with Raban.
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!
Speedman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Speedman has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Speedman tries to work over Raban's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raban is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.

Speedman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raban misses with a combination
and Raban takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Speedman tries to bum rush Raban with a series of wild strikes but Raban uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Speedman throws a leg kick that is checked
and Raban cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Speedman ducks under a wild hook from Raban.
Speedman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Speedman is looking to clinch.
Raban moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Speedman misses with a kick to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Speedman, right into the meat.
Raban's jab looks to have found its range, popping Speedman under the eye.

Speedman is rocked!
Raban needs to keep his hands up - Speedman had a free shot at his head there.
Speedman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raban.
Raban wants to counter with a clinch but Speedman pushes him away.
Raban throws a right and a left that both miss.
Raban misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Speedman misses the target.
Raban doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tugg Speedman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speedman misses with a body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Speedman.
Raban walks into a straight right hand from Speedman.
Raban ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Raban showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Speedman.
Raban throws a head kick but Speedman moves out of range.
Tugg Speedman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raban swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raban throws a jab when Speedman was well out of range.
Speedman connects with a body shot that sends Raban's belly button to the back.
Raban takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A slow jab from Speedman misses its intended target.
Speedman moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Raban jabs Speedman to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Speedman scores with a push kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Speedman fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Raban has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Speedman connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Raban momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Speedman.
Speedman pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Speedman misses with a jab, cross combination.
Speedman bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Raban uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Speedman.
Speedman digs a good hook to Raban's body.
Raban throws a big shot that misses.
Speedman connects with a body shot.
Speedman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Raban is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Speedman stalks Raban and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Raban's face. Raban staggers backwards, shaken.
Raban takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Good shot there by Speedman.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Raban throws out a head kick that Speedman doesn't see coming - it connects and sends Speedman crashing to the mat face first! He's bounced up to his knees and is scrambling to get back to his feet and beat the count. He's up on 5 but still looks a bit groggy; will the referee allow it to continue??? He's taking a good look into Speedman's eyes and has decided to let it go on!
Speedman throws a quick inside leg kick.
Speedman changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Raban misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Having scored a knockdown, James Raban should take round 1, putting pressure on his opponene back strong in round 2.
The cut man is working on Tugg Speedman's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab from Raban misses.
Raban's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Speedman throws a body kick that misses

and Raban counters with a right, a left and a big uppercut that drops Speedman to the mat! Raban runs to a neutral corner to get the count going quickly. 3,4,5,6 and Speedman is back to his feet. He seems ready to continue - the ref agrees so we're back at it!
Oh Speedman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tugg Speedman is winning the standup battle so far.
A low kick from Speedman is predictable there

and Raban counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Raban stalls.
Speedman can't find room to land a body shot as Raban controls the action.
Speedman seems to have got his legs back now.

Speedman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Raban misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Speedman.
Speedman moves away from the strike by Raban.
A looping hook to the body misses from Speedman. Raban does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raban misses with an uppercut
and Speedman counters with a leg kick.
Raban misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Speedman.
Speedman misses the jab.
Speedman with a jab.
Speedman lands a leg kick that knocks Raban off balance momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raban pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raban throws a head kick but Speedman moves out of range.
Speedman scoring well with a low kick there.
Speedman misses with a body shot.
Raban doesn't manage to clinch there - Speedman circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speedman scores with a nice strike.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Speedman - that will leave a mark!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Speedman. Raban shrugs it off though.
Speedman throws a head kick but Raban moves out of range.
Speedman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Speedman scores with a nice head shot.
Speedman moves out of range as Raban strikes.
Speedman scores with a jab. Raban acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Speedman scores with a shot to the body.
Raban throws a sloppy head kick
and Raban takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Speedman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raban can do to turn this around?
Speedman checks a low kick from Raban.
Raban looks to land a right hand but Speedman moved out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Speedman throws a low kick, looking for Raban's leg but Raban calmly moves out of range.
Raban uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Speedman.
Raban is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Raban is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Speedman.

It looks like James Raban has been cut.
Raban takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Raban let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Speedman slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raban is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Speedman scores with a leg kick.

Speedman closes the distance and clinches.
Speedman is trying to break the clinch but Raban has him pressed against the ropes.

Speedman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Speedman has closed the distance and engaged Raban in a clinch.
Speedman misses with the head strike.
Speedman wants to get back to striking at distance but Raban won't allow it.
Speedman is looking to break free of the clinch but Raban has double underhooks.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Raban is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Raban trying to stall but Speedman improves his position.
Speedman lands a body punch.
Speedman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Raban backwards.

Speedman breaks the clinch.
Raban tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Speedman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Raban has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Speedman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Speedman.

Speedman clinches with his opponent.
Speedman lands a nice shot to the body.

Speedman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Speedman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Speedman scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Speedman connects with the punch.
Raban misses with a straight right.
Speedman turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Speedman misses with a body kick.
Raban is looking for the big counter here.
Speedman connects with a body shot.
A nice combination there by Speedman.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Speedman lands with a slapping head kick.
Speedman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Speedman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A jab from Raban misses.
Speedman throws a hook but Raban avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raban throws a shot from downtown. Speedman moves away and avoids it.
Raban checks a leg kick.
Raban swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Speedman bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Raban's head.
Raban throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Raban throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Speedman tries to bum rush Raban with a series of wild strikes but Raban uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raban misses with a left hand
and Speedman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Raban swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Speedman.
Raban has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Speedman thuds his right hand into Raban's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Raban throws a jab when Speedman was well out of range.

Raban gets tackled into the ropes by Speedman. Speedman maintains the clinch.
Speedman digs a right hand into Raban's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Raban's gas tank.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Speedman manages to break the clinch.
Speedman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raban needs to keep his hands up - Speedman had a free shot at his head there.
Good standup being displayed there by Speedman as he connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Raban takes that one, thanks to the knockdown.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Speedman tries to close the distance and clinch but Raban swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Speedman.
Raban swats away the attempt to clinch by Speedman.
Speedman throws a nice outside leg kick.
Speedman swings for the body but Raban moves out of range.
Speedman throws a body shot but no joy.
Speedman tries to clinch up but Raban circles away and keeps his distance.
Raban moves out of range of the strikes.
Speedman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Raban looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Speedman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Speedman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raban misses with a wild combination.
Raban misses with an attempted mid kick.
Speedman wants to land a leg kick but Raban is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raban misses with a two punch combination.
Speedman moves away from the strike by Raban.
Raban throws a left and a right that both miss
and Speedman counters with a head kick. That will keep Raban thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Speedman scores with a leg kick.
Speedman just misses with a punch to the body.
Raban wants to counter with a clinch but Speedman pushes him away.
Raban misses the jab.
Raban misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Speedman.
Raban falls off balance throwing a combination
and Speedman counters with a nice leg kick.
Raban takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Speedman scores with a leg kick.
Speedman fails to land with a series of punches.
Raban takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Raban throws a sloppy head kick and Speedman moves out of range easily.
Raban misses the shot to the body.
Speedman throws a head kick but Raban moves out of range.
Speedman swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speedman digs a good hook to Raban's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raban throws a big shot that misses.
Speedman connects with a looping right hand.
Speedman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raban looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Speedman is looking for a counter combo.
Speedman cracks Raban with an open hand slap.
Speedman throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Raban's head.
Speedman just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raban! But no joy.
Speedman cracks the inside of Raban's front leg.
Speedman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James Raban has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Speedman feints and then cracks Raban's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Raban down.
Speedman buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Raban tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Raban takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tugg Speedman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speedman cracks the inside of Raban's front leg.
Speedman cracks the inside of Raban's front leg.
Raban misses with a body shot.
Speedman explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A head kick from Speedman lands but Raban takes it in his stride.
Speedman looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Speedman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Speedman with a hook.
Speedman connects with an inside leg kick.
Speedman throws a sloppy head kick

and Raban holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Speedman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Raban backwards.
Raban looking to stall.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speedman throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Raban on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A solid body kick from Speedman.
That kick from Speedman tenderised Raban's leg. Raban is trying to keep his angry face on.
Raban fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Speedman manages to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Speedman.
Speedman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raban throws out the jab.
Raban takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A nice leg kick lands there from Speedman.
Speedman lands with a thumping leg kick.
Speedman buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Raban throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Speedman cracks Raban with a good jab.
Speedman fakes the leg kick and cracks Raban in the body.
Raban takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Raban throws an overhand right that lands on Speedman's shoulder, as Speedman tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tugg Speedman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Speedman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 26:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 26:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Raban!
James Raban got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'