PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between A. Mere Con (ranked 58 p4p, 77 weight class) and Keisuke Matsuzaka (ranked 5 p4p, 8 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Con
vs
Matsuzaka

184 cm
34
171
22 - 8 - 1

179 cm
31
181
28 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 22 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, A. Mere Con!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Matsuzaka!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsuzaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Con.
Con slips a jab and a cross from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Con.
A telegraphed right hand from Con misses the target.
Matsuzaka tries a quick counter leg kick but Con is wise to it.
Con throws a hook but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've been told by Con's head coaches at Heartless Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Con misses with a hook.
A. Mere Con seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Con ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Matsuzaka closes the distance and pushes Con back into the cage.
Con misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuzaka throws an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Matsuzaka just misses with a elbow thrown towards Con's brow.
Matsuzaka pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Con.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Con has a couple of punches blocked by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka tries a body shot but Con blocks it.
Matsuzaka pushes off an throws an elbow but Con leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Con lands a shoulder strike.
Matsuzaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matsuzaka looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Matsuzaka has Con pushed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Con lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matsuzaka lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Con's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Matsuzaka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Con.
Matsuzaka struggles to land a body shot inside as Con controls his hands.
Matsuzaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Con.
Matsuzaka misses with the head strike.
Matsuzaka has a couple of punches blocked by Con.
Matsuzaka has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Con seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Matsuzaka can turn it around.
Con goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka letting Con take a breather here.
Matsuzaka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Con's efforts to push away.
Matsuzaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka prevents Con from breaking the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
Con tries a body shot but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka lands a left hand.
A right hook to the body lands for Matsuzaka.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuzaka has Con pressed against the cage, preventing Con from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Con misses with a body punch.
Matsuzaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Con tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matsuzaka's elbow.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Con's elbow.
A short right from Con.
Matsuzaka misses with a body punch.
Con throws a head punch that misses.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow inside.
Matsuzaka blocks an uppercut.
Matsuzaka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Con misses with a hook to the ribs.
Con digs a right hand underneath Matsuzaka's ribcage. Matsuzaka let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Con misses with a punch to the body.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Con there.
Matsuzaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Con avoids the body shot from Matsuzaka.
Con throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Matsuzaka counters with a straight right hand.
Matsuzaka misses with an uppercut. Con saw that one coming.
Con misses with a wild body shot.
Matsuzaka appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Con missing with a left hand there. Matsuzaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Matsuzaka only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Con throws a shot from downtown. Matsuzaka moves away and avoids it.
Matsuzaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Con lands a nice looking body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Con.
Con ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matsuzaka moves away.
Con throws a hook but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matsuzaka wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Con lands a jab to the head.
Matsuzaka throws a chopping leg kick but Con manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
It looked like Con wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Con lands a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsuzaka cracks a nice hook into Con's ribs.
Con lands a head shot.
Con is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Con checks a low kick from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka slips a jab from Con.
Matsuzaka ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A low kick lands for Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka throws the left hand but Con avoids the punch easily.
Matsuzaka throws a solid leg kick but Con takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Con.
Con waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matsuzaka.

Matsuzaka has closed the distance and engaged Con in a clinch.
Con struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuzaka controls his hands.
Con misses with some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Keisuke Matsuzaka will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Con moves away from the strike by Matsuzaka.
A shot to the body from Con misses
letting Matsuzaka counter with a right hand.
Con lands a nice shot to the body.
Con throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuzaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Con misses with a straight right.
Matsuzaka swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Con throws a jab but it's blocked by Matsuzaka.
Con takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Con lands a body shot.
Matsuzaka looks to land a right hand but Con moved out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Con misses the target.
Con smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Matsuzaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Con uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matsuzaka digs a good hook to Con's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Con connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Matsuzaka swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Con.
The fighters circle momentarily. Con darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A slow jab from Matsuzaka misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Con throws a hook to the side of Matsuzaka's head but Matsuzaka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matsuzaka defending well as Con loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Matsuzaka walks into a straight right hand from Con.
Matsuzaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Con.
Matsuzaka lands with an overhand left.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Matsuzaka 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 Con has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Con and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Con throws a lazy right hand but Matsuzaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsuzaka throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Con's jab looks to have found its range, popping Matsuzaka under the eye.
Con ducks right into an uppercut from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka misses the shot to the body.
Con connects with the punch.
Con lunges at Matsuzaka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Matsuzaka's hand.
Matsuzaka connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Con's hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matsuzaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Con.
Matsuzaka clobbers Con with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Con is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Con lands a nice shot to the body.
Con misses with a hook. Matsuzaka ducked under it nicely.
Con throws a lazy right hand but Matsuzaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsuzaka clobbers Con with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Matsuzaka lands a nice leg kick that just misses Con's sensitive parts.
Matsuzaka jabs Con right on the nose. Con blinks but takes it well.
Con avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A. Mere Con is winning the standup battle so far.
Con swats away the attempt to clinch by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Con looks to land a right hand but Matsuzaka moved out of range.
Con looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuzaka is just out of range.
Matsuzaka now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matsuzaka throws a body punch but Con moves out of range.
Matsuzaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Matsuzaka works the jab nicely.
Matsuzaka throws an overhand right that lands on Con's shoulder, as Con tries to avoid the shot.
Matsuzaka swings for the body but Con moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Con tests Matsuzaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matsuzaka goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A big left from Matsuzaka misses.
Matsuzaka misses with a body kick.
Con lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Con manages to avoid it.
Matsuzaka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Con avoids the body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Con moves away.
Con rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice low kick that buckles Con's knee momentarily.
Matsuzaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Con.
Matsuzaka lands a nice leg kick that just misses Con's sensitive parts.
Con fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matsuzaka manages to avoid it.
Matsuzaka walks into a jab.
Con throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matsuzaka ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Con swings for the body but Matsuzaka moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Con stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A nice combination there by Con.
Con misses with a straight left.
Matsuzaka swings for the body but Con moves out of range.
Con throws a hook but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Con checks a low kick from Matsuzaka.
Con works Matsuzaka's body with a nice hook.
Con misses with a shot to the body
and Matsuzaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matsuzaka with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Matsuzaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Con.
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Con.
Con scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Con misses the target.
Con lands a jab to Matsuzaka's midsection.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Con throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Matsuzaka on the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that A. Mere Con will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Matsuzaka throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice jab there from Con.

Matsuzaka clinches up against the cage.
Matsuzaka misses with a punch to the body.
Con takes a shot to the head.

Con's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Con uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka scores with a crisp jab that stopped Con in his tracks.
Con pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matsuzaka! But no joy.
Con misses with a hook.
Good exchange - Matsuzaka coming out on top.
Con throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Con as he connects with a hook.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Con moves out of range.
Matsuzaka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Con checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Con was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matsuzaka's jab looks to have found its range, popping Con under the eye.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuzaka throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsuzaka looks for the body kick but Con saw that one coming.
Matsuzaka missing with a left hand there. Con was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Con throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matsuzaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Con cracks Matsuzaka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Matsuzaka takes the fight into the clinch.
Con struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuzaka controls his hands.
Matsuzaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matsuzaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matsuzaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matsuzaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Matsuzaka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Con.
Matsuzaka creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Matsuzaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hand to the body from Con.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Con's elbow.
Con misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Con blocks an uppercut.
Keisuke Matsuzaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Con dodges an elbow strike from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matsuzaka stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow inside.
Con tries a body shot but Matsuzaka blocks it.
Matsuzaka lands with a light punch inside.
Con prevents a body shot from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Con stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Matsuzaka misses with the head strike.
Con blocks an elbow strike from Matsuzaka.
Con lands a nice uppercut.
Con misses with a hook to the ribs.
Con is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Matsuzaka digs a right hand into Con's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Con's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Con misses with a hook from the clinch.
Con tries to throw a body punch but Matsuzaka avoids it by throwing Con back against the cage.
Matsuzaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Con stalling against the cage.
Con working hard to break the clinch.
Matsuzaka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Matsuzaka pushes off an throws an elbow but Con leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Con wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matsuzaka has him pressed against the cage.
Matsuzaka prevents a body shot from Con.
Matsuzaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matsuzaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Con misses with a hook from the clinch.
Con tries to work over Matsuzaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsuzaka lands an elbow just above Con 's eye.
Con tries to work over Matsuzaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Con lands a body shot in the clinch.
Con swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka throws an elbow that misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Con dodges an elbow strike from Matsuzaka.
Con tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Con controlling the action here for a moment.
Con just leaning against Matsuzaka, taking a breather.
Con gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Con working hard to break the clinch.
Matsuzaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Matsuzaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matsuzaka lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Con goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka trying to stall but Con improves his position.
Matsuzaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cons head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keisuke Matsuzaka really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Matsuzaka blocks a jab.
Con throws the left hand but Matsuzaka avoids the punch easily.
Matsuzaka looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Matsuzaka closes the distance and clinches.
Con misses with a punch to the body.
Matsuzaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Matsuzaka slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch on the inside from Con fails to land.
Matsuzaka trying to stall but Con improves his position.
Con lands an uppercut.
Con tries to work over Matsuzaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matsuzaka pushes Con back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Con wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Con misses with a punch on the inside.
Con throws a head punch that misses.
Con blocks an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuzaka throws an elbow but misses.
Con struggles to land a body shot inside as Matsuzaka controls his hands.
Matsuzaka working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Con.
Con wants to break the clinch but can't.
Con scores with a nice hook to the head.
Con misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Con lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matsuzaka backwards.
With the fighters up against the cage, Matsuzaka throws an elbow but misses.
Matsuzaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matsuzaka working aggressively here.
Matsuzaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Con breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matsuzaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Con.
Matsuzaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Con.
A nice side step and Matsuzaka releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Con throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Con fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A big left from Con misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka throws a lazy right hand but Con sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsuzaka slips under a jab from Con.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matsuzaka! But no joy.
Matsuzaka throws a good cross that connects.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Con takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Matsuzaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Con swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Decent striking displayed by Con there.
Matsuzaka lands with a kick to the ribs.
Matsuzaka stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matsuzaka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Matsuzaka turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Con lands a jab to the nose.
Con misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsuzaka.
Con throws a right and a left that Matsuzaka avoids nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matsuzaka! But no joy.
Con misses the shot to the body.
Con takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Matsuzaka ducks under a wild hook from Con.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Con swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matsuzaka throws a hook but Con blocks it.
Con uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matsuzaka.
Con appears to be looking for a big counter.
Con throws out a loose jab but Matsuzaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matsuzaka looks to land a right hand but Con moved out of range.
Matsuzaka feints a jab promting Con to slip. Matsuzaka then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Con slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Matsuzaka moves away from the strike by Con.
Matsuzaka throws a body punch but Con moves out of range.
It looked like Con wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matsuzaka throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Con stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Con misses with a few strikes there.
Matsuzaka now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Matsuzaka slips a jab from Con.
Matsuzaka staying out of range there.
Matsuzaka misses with a right hand
and Con counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Matsuzaka throws an overhand right that lands on Con's shoulder, as Con tries to avoid the shot.
The fighters circling - Matsuzaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Con throws a right and a left that Matsuzaka avoids nicely.
Matsuzaka throws a half hearted mid kick.
Matsuzaka loads up on a big right hand but Con slips the punch.
Con tests Matsuzaka's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Con does it's job there.
Matsuzaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Con.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Con is having none of it.
Con swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The fighters circling - Con throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsuzaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Con manages to avoid it.
Matsuzaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Con takes a swing at Matsuzaka's ribcage but misses.
Matsuzaka looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A combination from Con does no damage.
Con misses with an uppercut
and Matsuzaka counters with a nice uppercut.
Con works the jab nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Con misses the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that A. Mere Con will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Matsuzaka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matsuzaka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Con swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matsuzaka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Con lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Con throws a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Con. Matsuzaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuzaka swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Con lands a two punch combo.
Con takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Con misses with a right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Con 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Con moves out of range as Matsuzaka strikes.
Con misses the shot to the body.
Matsuzaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Matsuzaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Con moves away.
Con throws an off balance right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Con keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matsuzaka.
Con misses with a straight left.
Con throws a body punch but Matsuzaka moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Con. Matsuzaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matsuzaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Con throws out the jab.
Con misses with a lunging right hand
and Matsuzaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Con lands a nice looking body shot.
Matsuzaka moves away from the strike by Con.
Matsuzaka walks into a jab.
Con avoids a kick to the body.
Matsuzaka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Con swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Con misses with a body shot
and Matsuzaka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Con takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Matsuzaka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Con.
Matsuzaka swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matsuzaka connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsuzaka tries to clinch but Con is having none of it.
Con lands a right hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Con looks to score with a jab to the body but Matsuzaka is just out of range.
Con digs a good body shot into Matsuzaka's ribs.
Matsuzaka misses with a straight left.
Matsuzaka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Matsuzaka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Con misses with a straight left.
Con ducks under a wild hook from Matsuzaka.
Con misses with a body shot.
Con uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matsuzaka.
A quick step to the side and Con tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Con lands a nice shot to the body.
Con has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Con jabs Matsuzaka to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Good shot there by Con.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Con throws an overhand right that lands on Matsuzaka's shoulder, as Matsuzaka tries to avoid the shot.
Matsuzaka thuds a left hand into Con's body.
Con connects with a body shot.
Matsuzaka thuds his right hand into Con's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A swing and a miss from Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Con cracks Matsuzaka with an open hand slap.
Con missing with a left hand there. Matsuzaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Con ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Con loads up on a big right hand but Matsuzaka slips the punch.
Con misses with a shot to the body
and Matsuzaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsuzaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Con moves away.
Matsuzaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Con misses.
Con slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Con misses with an uppercut
and Matsuzaka counters with an outside leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matsuzaka.
Con throws out a powerful jab.
Con throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matsuzaka lands with a good body shot.
Con takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Con misses with an uppercut.
A shot to the body from Con misses
and Matsuzaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matsuzaka connects with a body shot that sends Con's belly button to the back.
Matsuzaka scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Con fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Matsuzaka on the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Con throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Con listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Con. Matsuzaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Con misses with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keisuke Matsuzaka.
I think Matsuzaka has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... A. Mere Con!
A. Mere Con retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, A. Mere Con thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.