PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bethania Valverde (ranked 148 p4p, 971 weight class) and Rick Richardson (ranked 12 p4p, 71 weight class). Valverde comes to the cage accompanied by LLAMAME YA. Richardson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Alma Enamorada (Chalino Sánchez). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Valverde
vs
Richardson

172 cm
25
140
12 - 5 - 0

175 cm
27
145
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bethania Valverde!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rick Richardson!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valverde gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Richardson.
Valverde cracks Richardson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A chopping leg kick lands by Valverde.
Richardson scores with a nice head shot.
Valverde throws a combination. Richardson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Rick Richardson has been cut.
Richardson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Valverde throws out the jab.
Valverde takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Richardson scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valverde misses with an uppercut. Richardson saw that one coming.
A cross from Valverde lands.
Richardson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Richardson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Valverde misses with a straight right.
Richardson lands a jab to the nose.
Valverde looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Valverde tries to keep at a distance but Richardson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Richardson lands an uppercut.
Richardson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Richardson misses with some punches.
We've been informed that Richardson has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valverde.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Valverde blocking some punches.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Richardson has a couple of punches blocked by Valverde.
Richardson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Richardson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Richardson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Richardson struggles to land a body shot inside as Valverde controls his hands.
Richardson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Valverde's elbow.
Richardson working aggressively here.
Valverde blocks an uppercut.
Richardson has a couple of punches blocked by Valverde.
Richardson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A nice right hand lands inside from Richardson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valverde prevents a body shot from Richardson.

Valverde pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Richardson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Valverde lands a nice looking body shot.
Valverde pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Richardson throws an overhand right that lands on Valverde's shoulder, as Valverde tries to avoid the shot.
Valverde walks into a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richardson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Valverde throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Richardson drives through and clinches with Valverde against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Richardson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Valverde breaks the clinch.
Valverde throws a hook to the side of Richardson's head but Richardson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Richardson wants to clinch but Valverde slips to the side
and Richardson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Richardson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jab, jab by Richardson - just one landing.
Richardson doesn't manage to clinch there - Valverde circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Valverde misses.
Richardson jabs at Valverde's body.
Richardson ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
Valverde misses with an uppercut.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Richardson! But no joy.
Valverde throws a hook but Richardson avoids it easily.
Valverde bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Richardson's head.
Valverde cracks Richardson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Richardson blocks a jab.
Richardson scores with a jab. Valverde acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Valverde ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Richardson moves away.
Richardson wants to clinch up but Valverde keeps it at a distance.
Richardson ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
The crowd cheers as Valverde lands an impressive looking overhand right. Richardson doesn't seem phased though.
Richardson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Valverde misses with a low kick.
Valverde throws a leg kick but Richardson sees it coming and moves out of range.
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!
Richardson lands with a hook. Valverde tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Valverde uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Richardson.
Rick Richardson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richardson works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valverde dips to his left and cracks Richardson with an uppercut!
Valverde jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Richardson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Valverde fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Richardson manages to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Valverde.
Richardson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valverde.
Richardson lands an overhand right.
Richardson checks a leg kick.
A little jabbing left from Richardson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Richardson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Valverde shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A jab from Valverde misses.
A little jabbing left from Richardson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Richardson lands a jab to Valverde's midsection.
Valverde is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Richardson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Valverde throws a low kick but Richardson avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A swing and a miss from Valverde.
Richardson lands a lovely overhand right.
Richardson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Decent striking displayed by Richardson there.
Richardson lands a jab to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Richardson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rick Richardson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Richardson connects with a nice looking jab.
Valverde digs a good body shot into Richardson's ribs.
Valverde lands the left hand.
Bethania Valverde is winning the standup battle so far.
Valverde throws out a leg kick but Richardson moves out of range and Valverde only half commits.
Richardson lands a really nice looking cross but Valverde seems unphased.
Richardson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Valverde looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Richardson has closed the distance and engaged Valverde in a clinch.
Richardson gets through Valverde's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Valverde manages to break the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Richardson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valverde misses with a body shot.
Valverde loads up on a big right hand but Richardson slips the punch.
Valverde avoids the body shot from Richardson.
Valverde throwing a counter right hand but Richardson manages to avoid it.
Richardson with a nice cross.
Richardson looks to land a right hand but Valverde moved out of range.
Richardson checks a low kick from Valverde.
Good standup being displayed there by Richardson as he connects with a hook.
Valverde tries to land a leg kick but Richardson saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson throws a big shot that misses.
Richardson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Richardson looks to throw the jab but Valverde is out of range.
A jab from Valverde misses.
Valverde throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Richardson! But no joy.
Valverde getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Richardson lands with a straight right. Valverde didn't see that one coming.
Richardson scores with a decent looking hook.
Valverde ducks under a wild hook from Richardson.
Valverde misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Richardson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Valverde.
Richardson lands with an overhand left.
Valverde throws a lazy right hand but Richardson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Valverde throws a low kick, looking for Richardson's leg but Richardson calmly moves out of range.
Valverde gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Richardson.
Valverde gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valverde tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richardson was well out of range. Poor timing from Valverde.
Valverde takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richardson jabs Valverde to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Valverde works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Richardson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Valverde on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Valverde closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Valverde pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valverde throws a sloppy head kick and Richardson moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Richardson! But no joy.
Valverde moves out of range as Richardson strikes.
Richardson cracks Valverde with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Valverde walks into a left hand.
Richardson lands with a cross.
Richardson jabs at Valverde's body.
Richardson blocks a jab.
A swing and a miss from Valverde.
The crowd cheers as Richardson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Valverde doesn't seem phased though.
Richardson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Richardson lands with a right hand.
Valverde looks to land a left hand but Richardson moved out of range nicely.
A lazy left from Richardson finds it's target.
Richardson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson staying out of range there.
Valverde looks to score with a jab to the body but Richardson is just out of range.
Richardson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Valverde missing with a left hand there. Richardson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A countering left hand to the body from Richardson misses.
A swing and a miss from Valverde.
Valverde throws a looping overhand right but Richardson ducks down to avoid it.
Richardson lands with a straight right. Valverde didn't see that one coming.
Richardson walks into a straight right hand from Valverde.
Richardson throws a good cross that connects.
Richardson lands with an overhand left.
Valverde throws a jab when Richardson was well out of range.
Valverde connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice defenses there by Richardson.
Valverde looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice defenses there by Richardson.
Valverde throws a lazy right hand but Richardson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Valverde on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valverde takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Valverde misses with a straight right.
Richardson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Valverde. Valverde circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Richardson tries to clinch there but Valverde circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valverde takes one to the chin there.
Valverde jabs Richardson right on the nose. Richardson blinks but takes it well.
Richardson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Valverde at a distance.
Valverde drops his hands momentarily and Richardson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Valverde connects with a right hand. Richardson shakes it off.
Richardson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Valverde jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Richardson checks the leg kick.
Richardson connects with a jab.
Richardson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Richardson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Valverde.
Richardson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Valverde fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Valverde with a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valverde does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Richardson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Richardson 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.
Richardson works the jab nicely.
Valverde goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Richardson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rick Richardson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Richardson lands a jab.
Richardson punishes Valverde's body with a nice straight punch.
Richardson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valverde moves away.
Richardson cracks Valverde with a good jab.
Valverde misses with a low kick as Richardson jumps back.
Valverde misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richardson.
Richardson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Richardson lands with a straight right. Valverde didn't see that one coming.
Valverde swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Richardson cracks Valverde with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Richardson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Valverde throws a big shot that misses.
Richardson scores with a jab.
Richardson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Richardson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Richardson looks to score with a jab to the body but Valverde is just out of range.
Richardson scores with a body shot.
Donk. Richardson catches Valverde right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valverde walks into a straight right hand from Richardson.
Richardson scores with a hook to the body. Valverde takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Richardson looks to score with a jab to the body but Valverde is just out of range.
Richardson connects with a crisp jab.
Richardson ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
Valverde throws a leg kick but Richardson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Richardson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Valverde cracks Richardson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Richardson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Valverde connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Richardson takes a swing at Valverde's ribcage but misses.
Valverde chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Valverde takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Richardson lands with a hook. Valverde tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Richardson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Richardson lunges at Valverde with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Valverde's hand.
Richardson lands with a hook. Valverde tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Richardson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Richardson throws out a counter right but Valverde avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valverde takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Richardson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Richardson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Richardson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Valverde. Valverde circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A swing and a miss from Valverde.
Richardson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Valverde throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Richardson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Valverde takes one to the chin there.
Richardson slips under a jab.
Valverde with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Richardson to score with a decent uppercut.
Richardson misses with a right hand
letting Valverde counter with a right hand.
A big right from Valverde misses.
Richardson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Valverde misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richardson.
Valverde fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Richardson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab from Richardson misses.
Valverde is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Richardson lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Richardson.
Richardson connects with a body shot that sends Valverde's belly button to the back.
Richardson ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richardson. Valverde does a little dance to reset his feet.
Richardson scores with a punch to the head.
Valverde lands with a right hand.
Richardson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Valverde on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Valverde throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Valverde tries a head kick but it misses.
Valverde fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Richardson manages to avoid it.
Richardson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Valverde.
Valverde on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Richardson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Valverde manages to avoid it.
Valverde misses with a looping left.
Richardson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Valverde takes one to the chin there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richardson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Valverde misses its intended target.
Valverde looks to land a left hand but Richardson moved out of range nicely.
Richardson cracks Valverde with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Richardson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Valverde finds it's way round the side to connect with Richardson's head.
Valverde swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Richardson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valverde on the side of the head.
Richardson connects with a nice looking jab.

Valverde is rocked!
Richardson connects with a single shot there.
Oh Valverde is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Valverde bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Richardson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Valverde seems to have got his legs back now.
Valverde drops his hands momentarily and Richardson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Valverde moves forwards but Richardson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Richardson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Richardson lands with a right hand.
Valverde has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Valverde there as he acknowledges the shot.
Richardson ducks under a wild hook from Valverde.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Richardson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rick Richardson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Good shot there by Richardson.
Valverde connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Valverde throws an overhand right that lands on Richardson's shoulder, as Richardson tries to avoid the shot.
Valverde throws a shot from downtown. Richardson moves away and avoids it.
Valverde takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Valverde motions for Richardson to come forward. Valverde throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Richardson ducks right into an uppercut from Valverde.
Richardson cracks Valverde with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Valverde connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Richardson slips under a jab from Valverde.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Richardson! But no joy.

Richardson darts in and clinches Valverde up against the cage.
Richardson gets through Valverde's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Valverde fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bit of stalling here from Richardson.
Richardson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Richardson is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Valverde blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Richardson fails to land.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Richardson keeps control of Valverde as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Richardson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Richardson tries to work over Valverde's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Valverde tries to break the clinch but Richardson is controlling the position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Richardson swings wildly with an uppercut but Valverde uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richardson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Richardson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valverde is looking to break free of the clinch but Richardson has double underhooks.
Richardson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Richardson throws a head punch that misses.
Valverde prevents a body shot from Richardson.
Richardson has a couple of punches blocked by Valverde.
Valverde lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Richardson working aggressively here.
Richardson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Valverde backwards.
Valverde blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Richardson fails to land.
Richardson has a couple of punches blocked by Valverde.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Richardson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Valverde wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson throws a head punch that misses.
Richardson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Richardson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Richardson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Richardson tries a body shot but Valverde blocks it.
Richardson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Richardson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Richardson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Valverde tries to break free but Richardson pushes him back against the cage.

Valverde's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Richardson works the jab nicely.
Valverde fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valverde connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Richardson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Richardson connects with a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Richardson. That snapped Valverde's head back.

Richardson closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Valverde working hard to break the clinch.
Richardson pushes Valverde back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Valverde blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Richardson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valverde's efforts to push away.
Richardson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rick Richardson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Richardson working aggressively here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Richardson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rick Richardson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Valverde misses with a looping right.
Valverde throws an overhand right that lands on Richardson's shoulder, as Richardson tries to avoid the shot.
Valverde scores with a decent looking hook.
Richardson blocks a jab.
Richardson throws a jab when Valverde was well out of range.
Richardson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Valverde fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Richardson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Valverde.
Richardson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Richardson lands a glancing blow to the side of Valverde's head.

Richardson has Valverde up against the cage in a clinch.
Richardson working aggressively here.
Richardson throws a punch but it's blocked by Valverde.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Valverde blocks a body shot from Richardson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson lands a shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valverde.
Richardson throws a punch but it's blocked by Valverde.
Richardson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Richardson working aggressively here.
Richardson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Richardson misses with the head strike.
Valverde can't break the clinch.
Richardson swings wildly with an uppercut but Valverde uses good head movement to avoid it.

Valverde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rick Richardson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Valverde misses.
Richardson wants to clinch.

Richardson takes the fight into the clinch.
Valverde has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bethania Valverde has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valverde blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Richardson misses with a punch on the inside.
Richardson has a couple of punches blocked by Valverde.

Valverde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Richardson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson swings wildly with an uppercut but Valverde uses good head movement to avoid it.

Valverde breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Richardson tries to clinch but Valverde is having none of it.
Valverde is looking to counter punch.
Valverde throws a front kick aimed at Richardson's knee but Richardson avoids it well.
Richardson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Valverde in his tracks.
Valverde misses with a hook.
Richardson throws a body punch but Valverde moves out of range.
Valverde looks to throw the jab but Richardson is out of range.
Valverde throws a leg kick but Richardson checks it.
Valverde throws a body shot but no joy.
Richardson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Valverde's head.
Richardson tries to clinch up but Valverde circles away and keeps his distance.
Richardson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Richardson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Valverde on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valverde misses with an uppercut.
Valverde takes one to the side of the head.
Valverde misses the jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Richardson scores with a punch to the head.
Valverde connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Richardson scores with a hook.
Richardson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Valverde on the side of the head.
Valverde throws a low kick but it's checked well by Richardson.
Valverde throws a hook but Richardson avoids it easily.
Valverde lands a lovely overhand right.
Valverde walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Richardson lands a nice shot that snaps Valverde's head back.
Valverde closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Richardson scores with a body shot.
Richardson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Valverde's head.
Richardson moves out of range of the leg kick from Valverde.
Valverde scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Richardson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Richardson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 45:50
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 45:50
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Richardson!
Rick Richardson is the new bantamweight champion!
Rick Richardson thanked the fans post fight for their support.