PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Don Crenshaw (ranked 180 p4p, 213 weight class) and Luis Palhares (ranked 22 p4p, 28 weight class). Crenshaw comes to the cage accompanied by Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers. Palhares has chosen Right On/ Showcore as his entrance music. Luis Palhares will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Crenshaw
vs
Palhares

162 cm
34
168
30 - 17 - 0

181 cm
25
160
14 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Conviction
© Trap House

Conviction
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Don Crenshaw!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luis Palhares!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crenshaw 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.
Palhares throws a hook to the side of Crenshaw's head but Crenshaw sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No joy there for Palhares, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Crenshaw is looking to counter the offense by Palhares and move into the clinch.
Good work by Crenshaw as he checks the leg kick.
Crenshaw swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Crenshaw throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Palhares throws a lazy right hand but Crenshaw sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Crenshaw throws a body shot but no joy.
Palhares lands with a nice body kick.
Palhares works over Crenshaw's head and body with a nice combination.
Palhares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crenshaw throws a body shot but no joy.
Palhares is trying to counter with his kicks.
Crenshaw lands a body shot.
Palhares lands the left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares throws a wild body kick that Crenshaw sees coming a mile off.
Palhares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Palhares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Palhares falls off balance throwing a combination
and Crenshaw counters with a stiff right hand.
Crenshaw throws a hook to the side of Palhares's head but Palhares sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Palhares lands a nice hook to Crenshaw's body. Crenshaw takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Crenshaw swings away with a body shot that misses
and Palhares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Crenshaw takes a swing at Palhares's ribcage but misses.
Palhares misses with a straight right.

Crenshaw drops Palhares with a beautiful combination! Palhares stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Crenshaw is looking for the KO!

Palhares is rocked!

It looks like Luis Palhares has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palhares scores with a push kick.
Palhares is still on wobbly legs! Can Crenshaw finish him?
Palhares lands a nice looking kick to the body. Crenshaw takes a step back to recover.
Palhares goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Palhares seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws a body shot but no joy.
Palhares lands with an overhand left.
Palhares connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Crenshaw slips under a jab.
Crenshaw stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Palhares.
Crenshaw misses with a hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crenshaw. Palhares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palhares ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Crenshaw moves away.
Palhares lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Crenshaw throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Palhares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick lands for Palhares.
Luis Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palhares misses with a right hand
and Crenshaw counters with an inside leg kick.
Crenshaw is looking to clinch but Palhares is avoiding it.
Palhares now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Crenshaw takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Palhares connects with a body shot that sends Crenshaw's belly button to the back.
Crenshaw connects with a solid leg kick.
Palhares misses with a looping right.
Crenshaw swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Palhares.
Crenshaw motions for Palhares to come forward. Crenshaw throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Crenshaw rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Palhares cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Palhares scores with a leg kick.
Palhares throws a nice inside leg kick.
Crenshaw misses with a combination
and Palhares counters with a straight right hand.
Palhares connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Palhares scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palhares looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It looked like Crenshaw wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Palhares.
Palhares takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Palhares tries to land a leg kick but Crenshaw saw it coming and moves away.
Palhares throws a body punch but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Palhares throws an overhand right that lands on Crenshaw's shoulder, as Crenshaw tries to avoid the shot.
Palhares plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Crenshaw will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Crenshaw throws a predictable looking body shot
and Palhares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Palhares lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Crenshaw ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Crenshaw is looking to counter the offense by Palhares and move into the clinch.
Crenshaw throws a leg kick that is checked
and Crenshaw takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Palhares is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Palhares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Palhares throws a head kick that misses.
Crenshaw doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Palhares.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Palhares dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luis Palhares's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The fighters circling - Palhares throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Crenshaw keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Palhares scoring well with a low kick there.
Palhares throws an off balance right hand

and Crenshaw counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Crenshaw might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Crenshaw pushes Palhares back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Palhares scores with a shoulder strike.
Palhares misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Palhares misses with an elbow strike.
Crenshaw is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Crenshaw tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Crenshaw misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crenshaw tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Crenshaw fails to land.

Palhares breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Crenshaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
A little feinted left hand from Crenshaw on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Crenshaw wants to clinch but Palhares slips to the side
and Palhares counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw walks forward, straight into a front kick from Palhares.
Palhares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palhares was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Palhares walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Palhares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw avoids the body shot from Palhares.
Crenshaw tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Palhares misses with a looping right.
Crenshaw fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palhares manages to avoid it.
Palhares looks to land a right hand but Crenshaw moved out of range.
Palhares throws a hook but Crenshaw blocks it.
Palhares tries to land a front kick but Crenshaw steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Crenshaw throws a body shot but no joy.
Palhares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Palhares misses with a wild body shot.
Crenshaw is looking to counter punch.
Palhares looks to land a left hand but Crenshaw moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares lands a lovely overhand right.
Crenshaw moves away from the strike by Palhares.
Crenshaw is looking to counter the offense by Palhares and move into the clinch.
Crenshaw takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Crenshaw is looking to wear down Palhares with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Palhares thows a left - swing and a miss!
Palhares looks to land a left hand but Crenshaw moved out of range nicely.
Crenshaw connects with a single shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palhares ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Crenshaw moves away.
Crenshaw catches Palhares with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Palhares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crenshaw.
Palhares pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A swing and a miss from Palhares.
A shot to the liver by Palhares. Beautiful body shot.
Palhares misses with a lunging right hand
and Crenshaw counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws a nice looking combination but Crenshaw bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A leg kick checked by Palhares.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Palhares! But no joy.
Palhares throws a head kick but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Palhares misses with a right hand
and Crenshaw counters with a straight right hand.
Nice defenses there by Palhares.
Palhares throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Crenshaw cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Crenshaw displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palhares throws out the jab.
Palhares throws a head kick but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Palhares takes a swing at Crenshaw's ribcage but misses.
Palhares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Palhares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crenshaw sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palhares steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Crenshaw.
Palhares only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Palhares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Crenshaw manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares misses with an uppercut

and Crenshaw counters with a crisp one two that drops Palhares! Crenshaw thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Palhares to his feet! Palhares is in big trouble!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palhares tries to score with a low kick but Crenshaw moves his leg out of the way.
Palhares fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Crenshaw looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Crenshaw avoids the head kick by Palhares.
Palhares throws a hook but Crenshaw avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by Palhares.
Palhares misses with a hook. Crenshaw ducked under it nicely.
Crenshaw seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Palhares thows a body kick. Crenshaw tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Luis Palhares seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Palhares bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Palhares moves out of range of the strikes.
Palhares throws an off balance right hand

and Crenshaw counters by moving into the clinch.
Palhares fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palhares utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Crenshaw lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Palhares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luis Palhares's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Palhares with the inside leg kick.
Palhares misses with a hook. Crenshaw ducked under it nicely.
Crenshaw uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Palhares misses with an uppercut. Crenshaw saw that one coming.
Crenshaw slips under a jab.
Crenshaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palhares.
A slow jab from Palhares misses its intended target.
Crenshaw is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Palhares.
Crenshaw tried to score with a low kick but Palhares checks it.
Nice body punch from Crenshaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Crenshaw dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Palhares. That did some damage!
Palhares throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Crenshaw.
Palhares throws a head kick but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Palhares throws a hook to the side of Crenshaw's head but Crenshaw sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Palhares.
Crenshaw tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Palhares manages to circle out of the way.
Palhares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Palhares delivers a nice body kick.
Crenshaw scores with a nice right hand.
Palhares moves out of range of the strikes.
Palhares looks to throw the jab but Crenshaw is out of range.
Crenshaw appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A jab from Crenshaw misses.
Palhares throws a lazy right hand but Crenshaw sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Crenshaw blocks the body kick.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Crenshaw's leg. Crenshaw is trying to keep his angry face on.
Crenshaw uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Palhares.
Crenshaw lands a nice leg kick that just misses Palhares's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares moves out of range of the body kick from Crenshaw.
Palhares throws a front kick aimed at Crenshaw's knee but Crenshaw avoids it well.
An attempted straight right counter from Crenshaw misses the target.

Crenshaw gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Palhares wants to break free but Crenshaw has control.
Palhares wants to break the clinch but can't.

Palhares breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Palhares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Crenshaw.
A punch lands to the side of Crenshaw 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Crenshaw clinches up against the cage.
Palhares can't break the clinch.
Palhares misses with a knee to the head.
Crenshaw misses with a body punch.
Crenshaw blocks an elbow strike.
Crenshaw lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Crenshaw tries to throw a body punch but Palhares avoids it by throwing Crenshaw back against the cage.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Crenshaw lands a nice shot to the body.
Crenshaw moves out of range as Palhares strikes.
Palhares swings for the body but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Palhares throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palhares moves out of range of the strikes.
Crenshaw avoids a kick to the body.
Palhares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palhares is trying to counter with his kicks.
Palhares swings for the body but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Crenshaw tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Palhares manages to circle out of the way.
Crenshaw throws a head kick that misses.
Palhares misses with a looping right.
Crenshaw slips under a jab from Palhares.
Palhares lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palhares misses with the combination.
Crenshaw throwing a counter right hand but Palhares manages to avoid it.
Crenshaw lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Palhares at a distance.
Crenshaw tries to clinch up.
Palhares takes a shot to the body in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Crenshaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
Crenshaw swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Palhares bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Palhares loads up on a big right hand but Crenshaw slips the punch.
Crenshaw fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palhares manages to avoid it.
Crenshaw misses with a looping right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Luis Palhares just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Luis Palhares's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Palhares ducks under a wild hook from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palhares manages to avoid it.
A head kick from Palhares lands but Crenshaw takes it in his stride.
Crenshaw takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Palhares lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Palhares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Crenshaw instigates a clinch.

Palhares breaks the clinch.
Palhares swings widly with a right hand

and Crenshaw counters by clinching up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crenshaw lands a shoulder strike.
Palhares wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Palhares looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Crenshaw lands a right hand that snaps the head of Palhares backwards.

Palhares breaks the clinch.
Palhares misses with a body punch
and Crenshaw counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw tries to clinch but Palhares is having none of it.
Palhares looks to land a body kick but Crenshaw moved away.
Crenshaw 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.
Crenshaw takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Crenshaw blocks the body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Palhares.
Crenshaw jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Palhares throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Palhares takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Palhares checks a leg kick.

Crenshaw clinches.
Crenshaw misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Crenshaw - that landed with a thud.
Palhares is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Crenshaw digs a right hand underneath Palhares's ribcage. Palhares let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Crenshaw avoids it.
Crenshaw lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Palhares.
Palhares takes a shot to the head.
Palhares prevents a body shot from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crenshaw throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Palharess head.
Crenshaw swings wildly with an uppercut but Palhares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Crenshaw scores with a nice hook to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Crenshaw.
Palhares has had enough of the clinch but Crenshaw keeps him there for the moment.
Crenshaw misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Palhares fails to land.

Palhares breaks the clinch.
Palhares moves out of range of the strikes.
Palhares tests Crenshaw's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Crenshaw.
Crenshaw checks a leg kick.
Crenshaw throws a predictable looking body shot
and Palhares counters with a straight right hand.
Palhares misses with a low kick.
Crenshaw moves out of range of the leg kick from Palhares.
Palhares throws a body punch but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Crenshaw is looking to clinch but Palhares is avoiding it.
Palhares misses with an uppercut. Crenshaw saw that one coming.
Crenshaw wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Crenshaw jabs Palhares to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Palhares throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Palhares throws a sloppy head kick
and Crenshaw cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws a sloppy head kick and Crenshaw moves out of range easily.
Palhares connects with an inside leg kick.
Palhares throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick by Palhares misses
and Crenshaw counters with a left to the body.
Palhares throws a good cross that connects.
Crenshaw tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palhares was well out of range. Poor timing from Crenshaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares 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.
A thudding body kick lands there by Palhares!
Crenshaw dodges the punch combination from Palhares.
Palhares paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Palhares throws a hook but Crenshaw avoids it easily.
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 Don Crenshaw will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luis Palhares's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Palhares looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Don Crenshaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Palhares throws a nice head kick!
Crenshaw steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Palhares.
Palhares lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Crenshaw jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Crenshaw swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Palhares misses with a low kick.

Crenshaw fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Palhares, pushing him back against the cage.
Crenshaw swings wildly with an uppercut but Palhares uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crenshaw struggles to land a body shot inside as Palhares controls his hands.

Palhares breaks the clinch.
Palhares throws a head kick but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Palhares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crenshaw sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Crenshaw tries to counter by clinching up but Palhares breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenshaw takes a jab right on the kisser.
Crenshaw blocks a jab.
Crenshaw tries to counter by clinching up but Palhares breaks away and moves out of range.
Palhares throws a series of punches but Crenshaw avoids them all with ease.
Crenshaw throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crenshaw avoids the body shot from Palhares.
Crenshaw throws out a leg kick but Palhares moves out of range and Crenshaw only half commits.
Crenshaw slips a jab from Palhares.
Palhares lands a nice looking body shot.
Crenshaw looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Palhares scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A nice inside leg kick there by Crenshaw. That's going to slow Palhares down.
Palhares looks to throw the jab but Crenshaw is out of range.
Palhares throws a shot from downtown. Crenshaw moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares connects with an inside leg kick.
Crenshaw throws a big shot that misses.
Palhares throws a jab but it's blocked by Crenshaw.
Palhares connects with the punch.
Palhares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crenshaw avoids a kick to the body.
Palhares misses with a straight left.
Crenshaw tries to counter by clinching up but Palhares breaks away and moves out of range.
Crenshaw defending well as Palhares loads up on a big left hand.
Palhares will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Crenshaw is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Palhares.

Crenshaw lands a big uppercut and Palhares crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Palhares looks OK. Crenshaw waves Palhares back to his feet!
Palhares is looking to slow Crenshaw down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Crenshaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palhares.
Palhares scores with a hook to the body. Crenshaw takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Palhares loads up on a big right hand but Crenshaw slips the punch.
Palhares throws a lazy right hand but Crenshaw sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Crenshaw swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Nice jab there from Palhares.
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Crenshaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
Palhares throws a series of punches but Crenshaw moves out of range.
Crenshaw moves out of range of the strikes.
Palhares throws a hook to the side of Crenshaw's head but Crenshaw sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As Palhares tries to get set, Crenshaw tries to push him back and clinch up but Palhares manages to avoid the attempt.
Crenshaw misses the shot to the body.
Palhares throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crenshaw clinches with his opponent.

Palhares manages to break the clinch.
A big right from Palhares misses.
Palhares connects with an inside leg kick.
Palhares moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
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!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Crenshaw checks a leg kick.
Crenshaw slips a straight right by Palhares.
Crenshaw pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Crenshaw misses.
Luis Palhares is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A low kick lands for Palhares.
Crenshaw 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.
Crenshaw misses with a right hand
and Palhares counters with a left to the body.
Crenshaw throws a sloppy body shot
and Palhares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luis Palhares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Palhares 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:49
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luis Palhares!
Luis Palhares is the new lightweight champion!
Luis Palhares very nearly forgot to thank Silverguard Outfitters 🛡 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
In defeat, Don Crenshaw stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'm still a cool dad, though.'.