PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Smasher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shepherd comes into the arena with Head Like A Hole - Nine Inch Nails blaring out of the sound system. Joe Smasher is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Shepherd
vs
Smasher

172 cm
20
143 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
130 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

MADE IN GERMANY

Bare Knuckle Clothing [CBK]
Legal High's - 158+ Recovery And 159+ Stamina $40

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 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Frankie Shepherd!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe Smasher!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smasher misses with a looping right.
Smasher steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shepherd.
Shepherd slips under a jab.
Shepherd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shepherd lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Shepherd tries to clinch there but Smasher circles away.
Smasher thows a body shot but no joy.
Smasher throws a looping overhand right but Shepherd ducks down to avoid it.
Smasher takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shepherd thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smasher lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Shepherd misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Smasher counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shepherd drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A jab from Shepherd misses.
A left lands for Smasher.
Shepherd tries a head kick but it misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shepherd. Smasher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Frankie Shepherd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smasher misses with a body shot.
Shepherd fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smasher uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shepherd.
Smasher throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shepherd stuns Smasher with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd with a hook.
Smasher misses with a hook. Shepherd ducked under it nicely.
Smasher on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Shepherd rushes Smasher and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Smasher has had enough of the clinch but Shepherd keeps him there for the moment.
Smasher's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shepherd tries a knee to the head but Smasher blocks it.

Smasher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smasher takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Smasher closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Shepherd buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shepherd takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Shepherd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Shepherd there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Smasher uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shepherd.
Shepherd scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A shot to the body from Shepherd misses
and Smasher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smasher scores with a nice head shot.
Smasher keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smasher throws a series of punches but Shepherd avoids them all with ease.
Shepherd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shepherd is looking to clinch.
Shepherd swinging wildly here.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smasher digs a good body shot into Shepherd's ribs.
Smasher throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smasher loads up on a big right hand but Shepherd slips the punch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smasher!
A head kick misses from Shepherd.
Shepherd looks to score with a jab to the body but Smasher is just out of range.
Smasher scores with a hook.
Shepherd scores with a hook to the body. Smasher takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shepherd loads up on a big right hand but Smasher slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Smasher throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shepherd tries to clinch but Smasher moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smasher moves away.
Shepherd slips under a jab.
Shepherd is looking to clinch.
Smasher throws a chopping leg kick but Shepherd manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice shot by Smasher.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shepherd. Smasher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smasher misses with a wild combination.
Smasher lands a jab to Shepherd's midsection.
Smasher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shepherd.
Shepherd misses with a low kick.
Shepherd swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shepherd closes the distance but Smasher moves to the side
and Smasher cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shepherd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smasher avoids the head kick by Shepherd.
Shepherd displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smasher throws out the jab.
Smasher avoids the body shot from Shepherd.
Smasher sizes up Shepherd with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Shepherd is looking to wear down Smasher with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shepherd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smasher swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Shepherd counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smasher throws a jab when Shepherd was well out of range.
Smasher lands with a nice body punch.
Smasher scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Smasher lands with an overhand left.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shepherd throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shepherd is breathing heavily.
Shepherd takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smasher throws a hook to the side of Shepherd's head but Shepherd sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smasher connects with a right hand. Shepherd shakes it off.
Smasher misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shepherd is looking to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smasher smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Shepherd connects with a solid leg kick.
Smasher is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shepherd dodges the punch combination from Smasher.
Smasher connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smasher dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Shepherd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smasher.
Shepherd lands with a hook. Smasher tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Shepherd has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Smasher throws a hook but Shepherd avoids it easily.
Shepherd lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Smasher moves out of range of the strikes.
Shepherd with a jab.
Joe Smasher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smasher throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smasher catches Shepherd with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Decent striking displayed by Smasher there.

Shepherd gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Shepherd has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smasher is trying to break the clinch but Shepherd has him pressed against the cage.
Shepherd misses with some punches.

Shepherd pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Smasher misses.
Smasher lands a lovely overhand right.
Smasher lands with a straight right. Shepherd didn't see that one coming.
Smasher slips a straight right by Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a series of punches but Smasher moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smasher connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Smasher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shepherd looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Shepherd fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smasher throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shepherd comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Smasher misses with a series of wild punches.
Smasher uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shepherd.
Nice body punch from Smasher.
Smasher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shepherd.
A swing and a miss from Smasher.
Smasher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shepherd.
Shepherd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smasher manages to avoid it.
Smasher circles away from the clinch attempt
and Smasher counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smasher lands a nice shot that snaps Shepherd's head back.
Shepherd scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Shepherd.
Smasher moves into range and connects with a jab.
Joe Smasher seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Shepherd gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shepherd misses with a punch on the inside.
Shepherd is leaning against Smasher and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shepherd keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smasher's efforts to push away.
Smasher blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shepherd is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smasher is keeping busy.
Maybe Shepherd would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Shepherd scores with a knee to the head.
Smasher keeps control of Shepherd as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shepherd.
Shepherd pushes Smasher back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shepherd misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shepherd pushes Smasher back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd scores a nice knee to the body.
Smasher looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shepherd misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Shepherd.

Smasher breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smasher misses the jab.
Shepherd misses with a head kick.
Shepherd moves out of range of the leg kick from Smasher.
Shepherd throws a sloppy body shot
and Smasher counters with a straight right hand.
A lazy left from Smasher finds it's target.
Jab from Shepherd.
Smasher misses with a few strikes there.
Shepherd misses with a looping left.
Shepherd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Smasher takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Smasher throws a leg kick but Shepherd sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shepherd swings away with a body shot that misses
and Smasher counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smasher avoids a kick to the body.
Shepherd slips a jab and a cross from Smasher.
Smasher throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shepherd on the side of the head.
Smasher changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Smasher ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smasher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smasher takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shepherd connects with a looping right hand.
A punch combination from Smasher misses.
Smasher cracks Shepherd with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Smasher moves away from the strike by Shepherd.
Smasher takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smasher slips a jab from Shepherd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepherd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smasher counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smasher displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shepherd throws out the jab.
Shepherd goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Shepherd throws a leg kick but Smasher sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smasher throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shepherd sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smasher takes one to the side of the head.
Shepherd avoids the body shot from Smasher.
Shepherd moves away from the strike by Smasher.
Smasher throws an overhand right that lands on Shepherd's shoulder, as Shepherd tries to avoid the shot.
Shepherd loads up on a big right hand but Smasher slips the punch.
Shepherd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smasher.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Shepherd jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shepherd.
Smasher has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shepherd.
Smasher looks to land a right hand but Shepherd moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smasher changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shepherd uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smasher.
Smasher throws a combination. Shepherd tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Smasher lands with a hook. Shepherd tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Smasher thows a leg kick but Shepherd checks it
and Shepherd counters with a nice body shot.
Shepherd shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smasher throws a hook but Shepherd blocks it.
A shot to de liver by Smasher. Beautiful body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shepherd throws a hook to the side of Smasher's head but Smasher sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shepherd.

Shepherd closes the distance and clinches.
Shepherd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smasher is trying to break free.
A head punch on the inside from Shepherd fails to land.
Shepherd working aggressively here.
Shepherd misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shepherd fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shepherd tries to land a knee to the head but Smasher blocks with his arms.

Smasher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shepherd misses with a double jab
and Smasher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A punch combination from Smasher misses.
Shepherd misses with an uppercut. Smasher saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smasher uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shepherd.
Smasher misses with a series of wild punches.
Shepherd misses with a head kick.
Shepherd lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smasher circles away quickly and effectively.
Smasher keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shepherd.
Smasher slips under a jab from Shepherd.
Shepherd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smasher moves out of range of the strikes.
Shepherd shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shepherd checks a leg kick.
Smasher blocks a head kick by Shepherd.
Smasher misses with a looping right.
Shepherd misses with a hook.
Shepherd looks to throw the jab but Smasher is out of range.
Shepherd misses with a looping left.
Smasher throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shepherd on the side of the head.
Shepherd takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Smasher circles away from the clinch attempt
and Smasher counters with a left to the body.
Shepherd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smasher.
Shepherd takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smasher misses with a hook.
Smasher ducks under a wild hook from Shepherd.
Shepherd misses the body punch
and Smasher counters with a right hand to the body.
A head kick by Shepherd misses
and Smasher counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shepherd thinking.
Smasher punishes Shepherd's body with a nice straight punch.
A shot to de liver by Smasher. Beautiful body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smasher.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smasher digs a good body shot into Shepherd's ribs.
Smasher throws a combination. Shepherd tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Smasher smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab from Smasher does it's job there.
Smasher misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smasher lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shepherd at a distance.
Shepherd is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Smasher with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Smasher throws a combination. Shepherd tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Shepherd is rocked!
The fighters circle momentarily. Smasher darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Oh Shepherd is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smasher digs a good body shot into Shepherd's ribs.
Smasher throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shepherd seems to have got his legs back now.
Nice straight punches there by Smasher. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smasher.
Smasher misses with a low kick.
Shepherd takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smasher moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Smasher thuds a left hand into Shepherd's body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shepherd misses the body punch
and Smasher counters with a nice leg kick.
Smasher throws a nice looking combination but Shepherd bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Smasher drops Shepherd with a beautiful combination! Shepherd stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Smasher is looking for the KO!
Shepherd takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smasher really dominated that round.
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.

Shepherd closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Shepherd cracks Smasher with a good jab.
Smasher looks to land a combination but Shepherd avoids it well.
A big right from Shepherd misses.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Smasher steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shepherd.
Good standup being displayed there by Smasher as he connects with a hook.
Shepherd throws a series of punches but Smasher avoids them all with ease.
Smasher slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Smasher misses the target.
Shepherd throws an overhand right that lands on Smasher's shoulder, as Smasher tries to avoid the shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shepherd.
Smasher throws and low kick but Shepherd moves out of range easily.
Smasher checks a low kick from Shepherd.
Smasher takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shepherd motions for Smasher to come forward. Shepherd throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shepherd lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smasher misses with a body shot.
Shepherd needs to keep his hands up - Smasher had a free shot at his head there.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Smasher scores with a one two! Shepherd had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smasher misses the jab.
Smasher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shepherd lands with an overhand left.
Smasher ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shepherd takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Shepherd takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shepherd throws a big shot that misses.
A punch combination from Smasher misses.
Shepherd displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smasher throws out the jab.
Smasher dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smasher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smasher fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Smasher throws and low kick but Shepherd moves out of range easily.
Smasher ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice shot lands for Smasher.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Smasher moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Smasher works over Shepherd's head and body with a nice combination.
Smasher throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shepherd stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shepherd misses with a jab to the body
letting Smasher counter with a right hand.
Smasher jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smasher lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shepherd at a distance.
Shepherd clobbers Smasher with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smasher throws a left and a right that both miss
and Shepherd counters with a thumping low kick.
Smasher fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shepherd manages to avoid it.
Smasher scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smasher scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Donk. Smasher catches Shepherd right on the button with a cross.
Smasher fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shepherd moves out of range as Smasher strikes.
Smasher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shepherd is looking to slow Smasher down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd tries to clinch up.
A jab from Smasher finds it's way through Shepherd's defenses.
Smasher avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shepherd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smasher paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shepherd will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shepherd misses with a shot to the body
and Smasher cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smasher connects with a good right hand that stumbles Shepherd. Shepherd circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Shepherd lands with a slapping head kick.
Smasher dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smasher throws a body punch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Smasher's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Smasher fails to land with a series of punches.
Shepherd takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smasher throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shepherd sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smasher will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smasher works over Shepherd's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice cross by Smasher.
Shepherd avoids the body shot from Smasher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smasher.
Smasher drops his hands momentarily and Shepherd takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shepherd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smasher tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shepherd misses with a double jab
and Smasher counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Smasher throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shepherd uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smasher.
Shepherd misses with an uppercut.
Smasher walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shepherd.
Shepherd jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Shepherd has taken the fight to the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smasher tries to break free but Shepherd pushes him back against the cage.
Shepherd throws a head punch that misses.
Shepherd tries a body shot but Smasher blocks it.
A short uppercut from Shepherd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smasher dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Smasher ducks under a wild hook from Shepherd.
Shepherd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shepherd cracks the inside of Smasher's front leg.
Shepherd throws a jab when Smasher was well out of range.
Shepherd dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smasher tries to move into range but Shepherd moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Shepherd thows a body shot but no joy.
Smasher gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Shepherd throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smasher lands with an overhand left.
Shepherd throws a shot from downtown. Smasher moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepherd doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Smasher connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Shepherd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smasher.
Smasher scores with a jab to the body.
Shepherd throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smasher lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Smasher throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shepherd stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice straight punches there by Smasher. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smasher.
Smasher lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A left lands for Smasher.
A lazy left from Smasher finds it's target.
Smasher scores with a one two! Shepherd had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Shepherd displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smasher throws out the jab.
Shepherd throws the left hand but Smasher avoids the punch easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Shepherd.
Smasher thuds his right hand into Shepherd's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shepherd ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smasher scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Smasher swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shepherd smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smasher misses with a two punch combination.
Smasher rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shepherd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smasher avoids the body shot from Shepherd.
Shepherd misses with a double jab
and Smasher counters with a right hand to the body.
Shepherd scores with a decent looking hook.
Jab from Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shepherd walks into a stiff left hand from Smasher.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Smasher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shepherd throws out a loose jab but Smasher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smasher connects with a crisp jab.
Smasher lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Shepherd looks to throw the jab but Smasher is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shepherd. Smasher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shepherd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smasher cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shepherd tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd misses with a straight left.
Shepherd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shepherd tries to clinch up but Smasher circles away and keeps his distance.
Frankie Shepherd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shepherd.
Shepherd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shepherd lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Shepherd.
Smasher fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheers as Smasher lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shepherd doesn't seem phased though.
Shepherd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shepherd wants to clinch.
Shepherd misses with an uppercut. Smasher saw that one coming.
Shepherd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smasher.
Shepherd pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smasher throws a lazy right hand but Shepherd sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smasher lands a slapping body shot.
Smasher connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shepherd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smasher counters with a right hand to the body.
Smasher blocks the body kick.
Shepherd dodges the punch combination from Smasher.
Smasher cracks a nice hook into Shepherd's ribs.
Smasher throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Shepherd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smasher throws a hook to the side of Shepherd's head but Shepherd sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Shepherd closes the distance and pushes Smasher back into the cage.

Shepherd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smasher misses with a wild combination.
Shepherd cracks a nice hook into Smasher's ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepherd throws out a loose jab but Smasher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smasher scores with the left hand. Shepherd knows he should have avoided that one.
Shepherd is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Smasher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smasher winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 44:50
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 45:50
Judge William Gold scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Smasher! Joe Smasher retains his bantamweight title!