PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Apollo Takamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohamed Al Borki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Takamura
vs
Al Borki

195 cm
26
192 lbs
7 - 13 - 0

185 cm
30
199 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Great elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Apollo Takamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mohamed Al Borki!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Borki throws a half hearted mid kick.
Takamura moves out of range of the leg kick from Al Borki.
Takamura scores with a three punch combo!
Al Borki throws a head kick but Takamura moves out of range.
Al Borki looks to throw a body kick
and Takamura counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Takamura tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mohamed Al Borki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takamura misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Borki.
Al Borki throws a low kick but Takamura moves out of range easily.
Al Borki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Al Borki ducks under a wild hook from Takamura.
Al Borki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Al Borki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Borki misses with a body shot
and Takamura counters with a series of strikes. Al Borki will be more careful next time no doubt.
Al Borki swings for the body but Takamura moves out of range.
Al Borki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takamura.
Takamura throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Takamura uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Al Borki.
Al Borki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Takamura.
Takamura has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Millions Top Team in the buildup to the fight.
Al Borki motions for Takamura to come forward. Al Borki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Al Borki has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Takamura lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
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!
Al Borki throws a leg kick but Takamura sees it coming and moves out of range.
Al Borki lands with a shot to the body.
Takamura moves out of range of the body kick.
Al Borki misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Borki throws a sloppy head kick and Takamura moves out of range easily.
Al Borki looks to score with a jab to the body but Takamura is just out of range.
Al Borki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Takamura rather than just go for the knockout.
Takamura works the jab nicely.
Al Borki bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A shot to the liver by Takamura. Beautiful body shot.
Takamura throws an off balance right hand
and Al Borki counters with a stiff right hand.
Takamura thows a body kick. Al Borki tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Al Borki misses with a shot to the body
letting Takamura counter with a right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Al Borki swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Takamura counter with a right hand.
Takamura moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Takamura connects with a single shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Takamura dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takamura throws out a leg kick but Al Borki moves out of range and Takamura only half commits.
Takamura takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Apollo Takamura is winning the standup battle so far.
Al Borki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Takamura scores with a nice right hand.
Al Borki looks for the body kick but Takamura saw that one coming.
Takamura checks a leg kick.
Al Borki tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Al Borki wants to land a leg kick but Takamura is out of range.
Takamura keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Al Borki throws the kick towards the body but Takamura avoids it.
Takamura throws a push kick but Al Borki slaps the foot to one side.
Al Borki throws a hook to the side of Takamura's head but Takamura sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Borki misses with an uppercut
and Takamura counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Takamura misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Borki.
Al Borki throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Takamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Al Borki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Borki throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Al Borki misses with a kick to the body.
Takamura lands a jab.
Takamura lands a body shot.
Al Borki connects with a nice looking jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takamura lands with an overhand left.
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!
Al Borki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takamura.
Takamura blocks a leg kick.
Al Borki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takamura checks a leg kick.
Takamura uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Al Borki.
Takamura is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Al Borki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Takamura has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Al Borki.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takamura moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice body punch from Al Borki.
Al Borki tries to score with a low kick but Takamura moves his leg out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mohamed Al Borki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Takamura checks a leg kick.
Takamura misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Al Borki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Takamura moves out of range of the strikes.
Al Borki checks the leg kick.
Al Borki throws a hook but Takamura blocks it.
Takamura closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Takamura tries to land a leg kick but Al Borki saw it coming and moves away.
Al Borki throws a sloppy head kick and Takamura moves out of range easily.
Al Borki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Takamura takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Al Borki lands a nice looking kick to the body. Takamura takes a step back to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Takamura tenderised Al Borki's leg. Al Borki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Takamura thuds his right hand into Al Borki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Al Borki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Takamura.
Al Borki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takamura takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Al Borki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Al Borki tries to clinch but Takamura is having none of it.
Al Borki throws the kick towards the body but Takamura avoids it.
Al Borki 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.
Apollo Takamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Borki 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.
Al Borki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Takamura moves away.
Takamura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Al Borki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Al Borki blocks a head kick by Takamura.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Takamura checks a leg kick.
Al Borki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Takamura checks a leg kick.
Al Borki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Borki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takamura manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Borki. Takamura does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takamura misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Takamura clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Al Borki tries to clinch up but Takamura circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Borki swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Takamura counters with a nice uppercut.
Al Borki takes a swing at Takamura's ribcage but misses.
Takamura throws a sloppy head kick and Al Borki moves out of range easily.

Al Borki pushes Takamura up against the ropes in a clinch.
Al Borki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Al Borki is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Al Borki lands an elbow inside.
Takamura misses with a short punch on the inside.
Takamura blocks an uppercut.
Al Borki has a couple of punches blocked by Takamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Borki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Takamura blocks a body shot from Al Borki.
Al Borki pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Takamura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Takamura taking a breather.
Al Borki pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Al Borki stalling in the clinch but Takamura improves position.
Takamura managing to block the knees to the body from Al Borki.

Takamura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Al Borki throws a head kick but Takamura moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Borki. Takamura does a little dance to reset his feet.
Takamura takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Borki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Takamura.
Al Borki delivers a nice body kick.
Takamura throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Al Borki is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Al Borki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Al Borki is looking to land body kicks.
Takamura slips under a jab.
Takamura fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
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!
Takamura circles away from the clinch attempt
and Takamura connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Takamura. Al Borki shrugs it off though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Apollo Takamura will probably get the nod.
That's time! Takamura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Takamura with a hook.
Takamura keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Al Borki throws a head kick that misses
and Takamura counters with a nice body shot.
Takamura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Al Borki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Al Borki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Takamura is out of range and Al Borki settles back down.
Al Borki ducks right into an uppercut from Takamura.
A big left from Al Borki misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Takamura!
Al Borki is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Al Borki crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Takamura - the referee stops the clock and Al Borki gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Takamura. Al Borki manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Al Borki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takamura.
Takamura stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Borki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Takamura scores with a decent looking hook.

Al Borki is rocked!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Al Borki.
Al Borki is still on wobbly legs! Can Takamura finish him?
Takamura slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A shot to the liver by Takamura. Beautiful body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Takamura works Al Borki's body with a nice hook.
Takamura is throwing punches like he's double parked. Oh my word! Huge right hand from Takamura shuts the power down on Al Borki. Lights out, game over! Takamura is your winner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:36 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Apollo Takamura!
In his post fight interview, Apollo Takamura started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.