PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Erik Morris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Tolstij (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erik Morris had a look across the ring there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Morris
vs
Tolstij

195 cm
27
265 lbs
7 - 8 - 1

173 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

Excellent boxer
Experienced

Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Erik Morris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilya Tolstij!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tolstij has Morris up against the ropes in a clinch.
Morris could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Morris pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Good shot there by Tolstij.
Morris misses with a low kick.
Morris throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Tolstij gets a clinch.
Morris has had enough of the clinch but Tolstij keeps him there for the moment.
Tolstij tries to break free but Morris pushes him back against the ropes.
Morris is looking to break free of the clinch but Tolstij has double underhooks.

Tolstij's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Morris lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tolstij on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tolstij looks to land a combination but Morris avoids it well.
Tolstij tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Morris manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Morris throws a body punch but Tolstij moves out of range.
Tolstij tries to clinch but Morris is having none of it.
Morris connects with a body shot that sends Tolstij's belly button to the back.
Morris scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris swats away the attempt to clinch by Tolstij.
Tolstij tries to close the distance and clinch but Morris swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Morris misses with a left hand
and Tolstij counters with a straight right hand.
Tolstij slips under a jab from Morris.
Tolstij is looking to clinch but Morris is avoiding it.
Erik Morris seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tolstij scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Morris doesn't seem bothered though.
Morris is breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tolstij looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Morris blocks a low kick nicely.
Morris lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morris slips a jab and a cross from Tolstij.
Morris throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morris tries to clinch up but Tolstij circles away and keeps his distance.
Tolstij swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morris fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morris circles away from the clinch attempt.
Morris throws a big shot that misses.
Tolstij is looking to clinch.
Tolstij will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tolstij will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jab by Morris.
Tolstij tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Morris connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Morris throws a body punch but Tolstij moves out of range.
Tolstij pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tolstij checks a low kick from Morris.
A big right from Morris misses.
Morris lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris misses with a hook to the body

and Tolstij moves into the clinch.
Morris is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Morris wants to break the clinch but can't.

Morris pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morris lands with a shot to the body.
Morris misses with a straight right.
Tolstij takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Morris scores with a body shot.
Morris paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tolstij tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Morris throws out a leg kick but Tolstij moves out of range and Morris only half commits.
Morris is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A slow jab from Morris misses its intended target.
Tolstij fails in his attempt to clinch.
Morris tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tolstij avoids the body shot from Morris.
Morris misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tolstij.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morris misses the shot to the body.
Donk. Tolstij catches Morris right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tolstij throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tolstij tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Morris manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tolstij uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Morris.
Tolstij tries to clinch but Morris moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Tolstij pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morris swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tolstij counters with a three punch combo that has Morris backing up. Morris nods at Tolstij to acknowledge the strikes.
Morris fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Morris just misses with a punch to the body.
Tolstij avoids the body shot from Morris.
Tolstij throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Erik Morris will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Morris misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tolstij.
Tolstij slips under a jab from Morris.
A jab from Morris misses.
Morris uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tolstij.
Tolstij will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Morris waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tolstij.
Morris looks to score with a jab to the body but Tolstij is just out of range.
Morris misses with a leg kick.
Tolstij tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Morris counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tolstij thinking.
Tolstij misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tolstij slips under a jab.
Nice body punch from Morris.
Tolstij tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Morris manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morris throws a right and a left that Tolstij avoids nicely.
Tolstij takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Morris blocks a head kick by Tolstij.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris misses with a hook. Tolstij ducked under it nicely.
Tolstij feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Morriss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Morris tries to land a front kick but Tolstij steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Tolstij forces Morris back against the ropes and clinches.
Morris tries to break the clinch but Tolstij is controlling the position.
Tolstij tries to stall but Morris uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

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

Morris takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tolstij.
Morris looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Morris breaks the clinch.
Tolstij keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morris.

Morris gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tolstij digs a right hand underneath Morris's ribcage. Morris let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tolstij is trying to break the clinch but Morris has him pressed against the ropes.
Tolstij looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A body shot lands from Tolstij.
Morris blocks an elbow strike from Tolstij.
Morris has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Morris escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Morris thows a body shot but no joy.
Morris dodges the punch combination from Tolstij.
Ilya Tolstij is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tolstij looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tolstij is looking to clinch but Morris is avoiding it.
Tolstij throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morris lands the left hand.
Morris misses with an uppercut. Tolstij saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tolstij sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Morris moves out of range of the body kick from Tolstij.
Tolstij tries to close the distance and clinch but Morris swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tolstij fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tolstij fails in his attempt to clinch.
Morris connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tolstij. Tolstij circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tolstij looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Morris waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tolstij.
Tolstij tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tolstij is looking to clinch.
A punch combination from Morris misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tolstij checks a leg kick.
Morris blocks a head kick by Tolstij.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morris misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tolstij.
Tolstij tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tolstij avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tolstij doesn't manage to clinch there - Morris circles away.
Morris throws a leg kick but Tolstij moved away.
Tolstij throws a front kick aimed at Morris's knee but Morris avoids it well.
Tolstij misses with a double jab.
Tolstij tries to clinch there but Morris circles away.
Tolstij avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Tolstij instigates a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morris is trying to force a seperation but Tolstij has the dominant position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Morris is looking to break free of the clinch but Tolstij has double underhooks.
Tolstij keeps control of Morris as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tolstij controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Erik Morris will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tolstij is looking to clinch.
Tolstij misses with a head kick.
Morris throws a body punch but Tolstij moves out of range.

Morris gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Morris is trying to break the clinch but Tolstij is controlling him.

Tolstij breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tolstij throws a head kick but Morris moves out of range.
Morris scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Erik Morris is winning the standup battle so far.
Tolstij throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tolstij tries to clinch up but Morris circles away and keeps his distance.
Tolstij swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tolstij is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Morris loads up on a big right hand but Tolstij slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris throws a shot from downtown. Tolstij moves away and avoids it.
Tolstij moves out of range of the strikes.
Tolstij throws the kick towards the body but Morris avoids it.
Tolstij throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Morris circles away from the clinch attempt.

Tolstij closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Tolstij looking to stall.
Tolstij looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Morris is looking to break free of the clinch but Tolstij has double underhooks.
Tolstij keeps control of Morris as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Morris breaks from the clinch.
Morris takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Morris lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolstij fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tolstij throws a wild body kick that Morris sees coming a mile off.
Morris misses with a wild body shot.
Tolstij tries to close the distance and clinch up but Morris swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tolstij throws a head kick that misses.
Morris keeps the fight on the outside.
Morris throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tolstij.
Tolstij throws a right hand that Morris ducks under and follows up with a left that Morris also avoids with ease.
Morris moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tolstij tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Morris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Morris is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tolstij slips a jab from Morris.
Tolstij is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tolstij throws a series of punches but Morris avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris throws a right hand that misses

and Tolstij counters by clinching up.
Morris is trying to break the clinch but Tolstij is controlling him.
Tolstij prevents Morris from breaking the clinch.
Ilya Tolstij seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Morris is trying to force a seperation but Tolstij has the dominant position.
Morris lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tolstij backwards.
Morris prevents a body shot from Tolstij.
Morris wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Morris manages to break the clinch.
Tolstij fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Morris avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morris takes a swing at Tolstij's ribcage but misses.
Tolstij keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tolstij tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tolstij moves away from the strike by Morris.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolstij doesn't manage to clinch there - Morris circles away.
Morris throws an off balance right hand

and Tolstij counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tolstij.
Morris blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Tolstij breaks the clinch.
Morris tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tolstij is able to avoid easily.
Morris keeps the fight on the outside.
Morris avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morris stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tolstij tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Morris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Morris takes a swing at Tolstij's ribcage but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morris throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Morris fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tolstij manages to avoid it.
Ilya Tolstij has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Erik Morris is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head kick misses from Tolstij.
Tolstij pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ilya Tolstij.
I think Morris 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ilya Tolstij!