PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Junior Barbosa (ranked 2153 p4p, 1167 weight class) and Kenny Smith (ranked 264 p4p, 150 weight class). Smith has chosen IS THIS LOVE as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barbosa
vs
Smith

181 cm
32
185
17 - 10 - 0

181 cm
40
187
37 - 15 - 1

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

Conviction
© Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Junior Barbosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barbosa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Smith takes a swing at Barbosa's ribcage but misses.
Barbosa moves out of range of the strikes.
Barbosa moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barbosa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've been informed that Smith 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.
Smith lands with a right hand.
Barbosa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Smith is out of range.
Barbosa is looking to chop away at Smith's legs.
Smith scores with a push kick.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Barbosa rushes Smith and presses him up against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barbosa blocks an uppercut.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Barbosa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Barbosa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barbosa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with some punches.
Barbosa struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Barbosa.
Barbosa lands with a short shot to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A shot in the inside from Barbosa.
Barbosa misses with some punches.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Barbosa.
Barbosa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
Barbosa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
Smith throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barbosas head.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barbosa avoids it.
Smith lands a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Barbosa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith is looking to control Barbosa's arms but Barbosa gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smith has his back to the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to stall.
Barbosa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barbosa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to Barbosa's face.
Barbosa has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Barbosa misses with a punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Barbosa misses with some punches.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barbosa avoids it.
Barbosa lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barbosa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Barbosa managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Barbosa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barbosa misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Barbosa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Smith's head backwards.

It looks like Kenny Smith has been cut.
Barbosa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Barbosa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Smith's sensitive parts.
Barbosa 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.
Barbosa moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Barbosa swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Despite the aggression on Smith's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kenny Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbosa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
That kick from Smith tenderised Barbosa's leg. Barbosa is trying to keep his angry face on.
An inside leg kick from Barbosa misses.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Kenny Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left lands for Smith.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith tries to clinch there but Barbosa circles away.
Barbosa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Barbosa checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Barbosa blocks the body kick.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smith lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barbosa at a distance.
Barbosa keeps the fight on the outside.
Barbosa was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Smith lands a body shot.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
Smith jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Smith comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Smith tries to clinch but Barbosa moves out of range.
Barbosa is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barbosa lands a right hand.
Barbosa throws an elbow that misses.
Barbosa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barbosa can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Barbosa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smith's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Smith.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barbosa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith lands a good knee to the midsection. Barbosa won't want to take too many of those.
Smith content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith scores with a shot to the side of Barbosa's head.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Smith lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head punch on the inside from Barbosa fails to land.
Barbosa misses with a punch on the inside.
Barbosa working aggressively here.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barbosa takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kenny Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Smith lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith lands a knee to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kenny Smith's cut.
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.

Smith swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Barbosa.
Barbosa tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith scores with a jab. Barbosa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Barbosa tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Barbosa back against the ropes.
Barbosa misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith avoiding damage.
Smith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Barbosa blocks the elbow strike.
The referee calls for Barbosa to work.
Smith lands an elbow just above Barbosa 's eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barbosa avoids it.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Barbosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Barbosa pushes off an throws an elbow but Smith leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Smith has Barbosa pressed against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Barbosa misses with an elbow strike.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barbosa looking to stall.
Barbosa blocks an uppercut.
Barbosa working aggressively here.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Barbosa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith slowing the pace effectively.
A hook to the body from Barbosa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barbosa.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Barbosa.
Barbosa misses with the head strike.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Barbosa controls the action.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barbosa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A knee to the head by Smith.

It looks like Junior Barbosa has been cut.
Smith lands a shoulder strike.
Barbosa blocks a couple of punches 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!
Barbosa misses with a body punch.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barbosa is defending well for now.
Barbosa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smith or not.
Barbosa lands a shoulder strike.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith gets through Barbosa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Barbosa blocking some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith tries a low kick but Barbosa avoids it.
Barbosa catches Smith with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Barbosa swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Smith connects with an inside leg kick.
Smith tries to clinch up but Barbosa circles away and keeps his distance.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith prevents a body shot from Barbosa.
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith landing knees to the body.
Barbosa effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barbosa avoids it.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barbosa misses with some punches.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith pushes Barbosa back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barbosa takes a shot to the head.
Smith blocks the elbow strike.
Barbosa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Smith trying to stall but Barbosa improves his position.
Barbosa avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Barbosa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Barbosa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barbosa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Barbosa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barbosa struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
Barbosa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Barbosa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Smith creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Barbosa on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Barbosa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Barbosa misses with a hook to the ribs.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Barbosa lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barbosa is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns Barbosa into the ropes.
Barbosa misses with the head strike.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barbosa is defending well for now.
Smith misses with some punches.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
Barbosa prevents a body shot from Smith.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith lands a jab to the head.
Barbosa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Barbosa wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Barbosa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith connects with a leg kick.
Smith misses with a hook.
Barbosa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
That kick from Smith tenderised Barbosa's leg. Barbosa is trying to keep his angry face on.

Barbosa closes the distance and clinches.
Barbosa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barbosa's elbow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short right from Smith.
Barbosa tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Barbosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barbosa.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barbosa backwards.
Barbosa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barbosa misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Barbosa.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
Smith pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Smith scores with a nice short uppercut.
Barbosa misses with some punches.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barbosa avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Barbosa lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Barbosa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands an elbow just above Barbosa 's eye.
Smith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
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!
Barbosa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith lands an uppercut.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Good body shot from Smith.
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.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Barbosa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Barbosa fails to land.
Junior Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Smith landing knees to the body.
Barbosa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith digs a right hand underneath Barbosa's ribcage. Barbosa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kenny Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 45:50
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Smith!
Kenny Smith is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Kenny Smith thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.