PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Kenny Smith (ranked 1343 p4p, 24330 weight class) and Ichigho Kurosaki (ranked 174 p4p, 518 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by IS THIS LOVE. Kenny Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Kurosaki

181 cm
40
187
39 - 15 - 1

186 cm
24
195
13 - 4 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
© Trap House

Champion Apparel
Wrestler Wayfare

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 39 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenny Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ichigho Kurosaki!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Ben Hemmingworth and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Kurosaki throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.
Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kurosaki doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big left from Smith misses.
Kurosaki tries to work over Smith's front leg with a kick but Smith checks it.
A good leg kick by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Kurosaki throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smith checks a low kick from Kurosaki.
Kenny Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurosaki 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.
Kurosaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Kurosaki tries to clinch up.
Smith throws a head kick that Kurosaki semi-blocks.
Kurosaki scores with a leg kick.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Kenny Smith has been cut.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Kurosaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurosaki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kurosaki there as he acknowledges the shot.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kurosaki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Smith has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Catch Wrestling L.A. in the buildup to the fight.
A shot to the liver by Kurosaki. Beautiful body shot.
Smith is looking to clinch but Kurosaki is avoiding it.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurosaki is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kurosaki.
Smith connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Smith goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kurosaki tries to counter with a clinch but Smith shakes him off and moves away.
Smith lands a body shot.
Jab, jab by Kurosaki - just one landing.
Smith thows a leg kick but Kurosaki checks it
and Kurosaki counters with an outside leg kick.
Smith throws a jab when Kurosaki was well out of range.
Smith is looking to land body kicks.
Kurosaki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith punishes Kurosaki's body with a nice straight punch.
Kurosaki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kurosaki.
Kurosaki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Smith.
Kurosaki throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Kurosaki misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith wants to clinch up but Kurosaki keeps it at a distance.
Smith with the inside leg kick.
Smith takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A punch lands to the side of Kurosaki 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kurosaki throws a head kick that half lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Smith takes a swing at Kurosaki's ribcage but misses.
Kurosaki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Kurosaki gets tackled into the cage by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Smith displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kurosaki up against the cage.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kurosaki.

Kurosaki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kurosaki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Smith duly obliges.
Kurosaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith tried to score with a low kick but Kurosaki checks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kurosaki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kurosaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith staying out of range there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.
Kurosaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenny Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kenny Smith's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kurosaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kurosaki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Kurosaki's head but Kurosaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith slips a jab from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki misses with a straight right.
Smith connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kurosaki. Kurosaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Smith digs a good body shot into Kurosaki's ribs.
Nice straight punches there by Smith. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smith.
Smith tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slow jab from Kurosaki misses its intended target.
Kenny Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smith with a nice calf kick.
Kurosaki throws a low kick but it's checked well by Smith.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice straight punches there by Kurosaki. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kurosaki.
Kurosaki misses with a straight right.
Smith throws a hook but Kurosaki blocks it.
Kurosaki throws a hook but Smith avoids it easily.
Smith slips a straight right by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosaki throws a shot to the body.
Smith lands a leg kick that knocks Kurosaki off balance momentarily.
Kurosaki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kurosaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
A big left from Kurosaki misses.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kurosaki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith avoids the body shot from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
Smith swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Kurosaki moves out of range easily.
Smith connects with a single shot there.
Kurosaki throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.

Smith forces Kurosaki back against the cage and clinches.
Smith dodges an elbow strike from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki slowing the pace effectively.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Kurosaki avoids the damage to the body.
Kurosaki misses with the head strike.
Smith stalls.
Kurosaki is working Smith over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Kurosaki avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Smith landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki lands an uppercut.
Kurosaki unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Kurosaki.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Smith blocks the elbow strike.
Kurosaki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith works on Kurosaki's body with a couple of short punches.
Kurosaki lands a nice elbow.
Kurosaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice elbow from Kurosaki.
Knees to the body from Smith.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ichigho Kurosaki 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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kurosaki feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Smiths jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kurosaki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kurosaki. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurosaki.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice body kick there by Smith.
Kurosaki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Kurosaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith backing away here, and Kurosaki unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A left lands for Kurosaki.
Smith wants to clinch up but Kurosaki keeps it at a distance.
Smith listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kurosaki avoids the body shot from Smith.
Kurosaki blocks a low kick nicely.
Kurosaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith looks to land a combination but Kurosaki avoids it well.
Kurosaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kurosaki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Kurosaki misses with a body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A low kick lands for Smith.
Smith finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Smith tries to clinch up but Kurosaki circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith is looking to clinch but Kurosaki is avoiding it.
Smith cracks Kurosaki with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kurosaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kurosaki connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.
Kurosaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kurosaki.
An inside leg kick lands from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki walks into a left hand.
Smith checks the leg kick.
Smith slips a straight right by Kurosaki.
Smith scores with a nice right hand.
Smith lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurosaki misses with a body shot.
Smith blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki jabs Smith to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kurosaki jabs at Smith's body.
Jab by Smith.
Smith slips under a jab from Kurosaki.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kurosaki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kurosaki slips a jab from Smith.
Smith misses with a looping left.
Kurosaki misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Kurosaki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kurosaki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith thuds his right hand into Kurosaki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kurosaki takes one to the side of the head.
Kurosaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kenny Smith did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Kenny Smith's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kurosaki tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith avoids the body shot from Kurosaki.
Smith swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kurosaki misses with a body kick.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kurosaki misses with a wild body shot.
Kurosaki tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smith misses with a kick to the body.
Kurosaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Kurosaki on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Smith as he connects with a hook.
Kurosaki slips a jab and a cross from Smith.
Kurosaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kurosaki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurosaki is just out of range.
Kurosaki looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Smith checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kurosaki throws a hook but Smith avoids it easily.
Smith wants to clinch but Kurosaki slips to the side
and Kurosaki counters with a stiff right hand.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Kurosaki moved out of range nicely.
Smith scores with a hook.
Smith scores with the left hand. Kurosaki knows he should have avoided that one.
Smith moves out of range as Kurosaki strikes.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
A jab from Smith misses.
Kurosaki let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kurosaki missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice inside leg kick there by Smith. That's going to slow Kurosaki down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kurosaki.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smith closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurosaki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kurosaki throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Smith.
Kurosaki misses with a head kick.
Kurosaki throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Kurosaki punishes Smith's body with a nice straight punch.
Smith lands with an overhand left.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Kurosaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kurosaki moves away.
Smith clobbers Kurosaki with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smith lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kurosaki will feel that in the morning.
Kurosaki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Kurosaki throws a low kick, looking for Smith's leg but Smith calmly moves out of range.
Kurosaki blocks a jab.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kurosaki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Smith blocks a jab.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kurosaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Kurosaki lands with a slapping head kick.
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 Kenny Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kenny Smith's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kurosaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kurosaki wants to counter the offense by Smith and move into the clinch position.
Smith connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kurosaki momentarily.
Smith turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kurosaki throws a head kick that misses.
Smith wants to clinch.
Kurosaki throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smith lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Smith.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith slips a straight right by Kurosaki.
Smith lands with a nice body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurosaki cracks Smith with a good jab.
Smith clobbers Kurosaki with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kurosaki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ichigho Kurosaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosaki throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kurosaki's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Smith throws a push kick but Kurosaki slaps the foot to one side.
Kurosaki throws a head kick that misses.
Kurosaki looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kurosaki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Smith lands with a good body shot.
Kurosaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith connects with an inside leg kick.
Smith lands with a good body shot.
Kurosaki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Kurosaki's head.
Nice shot lands for Smith.
Kurosaki misses with a body kick.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith lands a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith moves out of range as Kurosaki strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from Smith misses its target.
Kurosaki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kurosaki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kurosaki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kurosaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Smith cracks Kurosaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kurosaki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith connects with a leg kick.
Smith dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kurosaki. That did some damage!
Kurosaki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kurosaki scores with a nice strike.
Smith fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kurosaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Smith staying out of range there.
Smith connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kurosaki avoids a kick to the body.
Smith throws a combination. Kurosaki tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kurosaki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kenny Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith throws a leg kick which misses Kurosaki's front leg but catches the back leg as Kurosaki tries to avoid it.

Smith forces Kurosaki back against the cage and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 49:47
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 49:46
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Smith!
Kenny Smith retains his middleweight title!
Kenny Smith seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.