PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Tony Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nkosinathi Ximba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ximba has chosen Die Antwoord - Fatty Boom Boom as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Smith
vs
Ximba

179 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Supreme Nutrition
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nkosinathi Ximba!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ximba moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Ximba moves out of range easily.
Ximba fails to land with a series of punches.
Ximba will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smith blocks a low kick nicely.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Ximba.
As Ximba tries to get set, Smith tries to push him back and clinch up but Ximba manages to avoid the attempt.
Ximba connects with an inside leg kick.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Ximba tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ximba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ximba swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Smith looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Ximba misses the jab.

Smith gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ximba working aggressively here.
Ximba throws a head punch that misses.
Ximba misses with a body punch.
Ximba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ximba struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ximba tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ximba misses with a punch to the body.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smith lands a body punch.
Smith prevents a body shot from Ximba.
Ximba misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith is leaning against Ximba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ximba scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Ximba is controlling him.
Ximba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Ximba can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

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

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
Ximba misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ximba tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ximba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ximba dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Smith. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nkosinathi Ximba will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Ximba gets tackled into the ropes by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.

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

Smith rushes Ximba and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Ximba stalling.
Ximba scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ximba is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Ximba managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Ximba has the dominant position.
Ximba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Ximba tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Ximba tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good leg kick by Ximba there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ximba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith tries to land a leg kick but Ximba saw it coming and moves away.
A slow jab from Ximba misses its intended target.
Nkosinathi Ximba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ximba connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith scrambles back to his feet.
Nkosinathi Ximba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ximba rushes Smith and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Ximba scores with a hook to the body.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith is trying to push Ximba away but Ximba has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Ximba scores with a hook to the body.
Ximba misses with the head strike.
Ximba scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ximba is looking to control Smith's arms but Smith gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ximba has his back to the ropes.
Ximba tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Ximba tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith is stalling here.
Smith just leaning against Ximba, taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Ximba misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Smith blocking some punches.
Ximba is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Ximba swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ximba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ximba feints and then cracks Smith's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith down.
Ximba misses with the body kick
and Smith counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nkosinathi Ximba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Smith tries to clinch but Ximba is having none of it.
Smith is looking to clinch.

Smith gets a clinch.
Ximba has Smith pressed against the ropes, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ximba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ximba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ximba stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ximba misses with a punch to the body.
Ximba misses with the head strike.
A short right from Ximba.
Ximba throws a head punch that misses.
Ximba throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ximba.
Smith looking to stall.
Ximba misses with some punches.
Ximba misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ximba scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Tony Smith has been cut.
Smith throws a leg kick but Ximba checks it.
Ximba is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ximba avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ximba lands a nice looking body kick.

Ximba gets a clinch.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Smith stalls.
Nkosinathi Ximba seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ximba tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ximba lands a nice shot to the body.
Ximba tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith prevents a body shot from Ximba.
A shot in the inside from Ximba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ximba can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Ximba won't allow it.
Ximba can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ximba.
Ximba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ximba is defending well for now.
Ximba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ximba is struggling to control the position.
Smith blocks an uppercut.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nkosinathi Ximba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ximba throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ximba avoids the body shot from Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nkosinathi Ximba really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tony Smith's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Good work by Ximba as he checks the leg kick.
Jab by Ximba.
Ximba just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith looks to land a body kick but Ximba moved away.
Ximba throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith throws a low kick, looking for Ximba's leg but Ximba calmly moves out of range.
Ximba tries to clinch
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ximba scores with a decent looking hook.

Smith darts in and clinches Ximba up against the ropes.
Ximba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ximba misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Ximba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ximba is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.

Smith rushes Ximba and presses him up against the ropes.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ximba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Ximba misses with a straight left.
Ximba thows a leg kick but Smith checks it

and Smith moves into the clinch.
Ximba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Ximba is controlling him.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Ximba has double underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Ximba fails to land.
Ximba misses with a punch to the body.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Ximba is blocking nicely.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith stalling.
Ximba misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ximba tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Ximba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ximba trying to stall but Smith improves his position.
Ximba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith prevents a body shot from Ximba.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ximba is keeping busy.
Smith wants to break free but Ximba has control.
Ximba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smith as Ximba tries to tie him up.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith is struggling to control the position.
Smith prevents a body shot from Ximba.
Ximba stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Nkosinathi Ximba will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tony Smith's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Ximba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith moves out of range as Ximba strikes.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ximba thows a leg kick but Smith checks it

and Smith counters by clinching up.
A short uppercut from Ximba.
Ximba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ximba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ximba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smith tries to break free but Ximba pushes him back against the ropes.
Ximba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries a knee to the head but Ximba blocks it.
Ximba misses with the head strike.
Smith tries to circle away but Ximba has him pinned against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Ximba has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ximba stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
Ximba stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
Ximba pushes Smith back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ximba working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Nkosinathi Ximba.
Ximba looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.
Nkosinathi Ximba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Crunch! Ximba slams his shin into Smith's torso.
Ximba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tony Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ximba, pushing him back against the ropes.
Smith leaning against his opponent.
Smith tries a knee to the head but Ximba blocks it.
Ximba lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Ximba.
Smith trying to stall but Ximba improves his position.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Ximba manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ximba misses with a series of wild punches.
Ximba slips a jab and a cross from Smith.
Ximba tries a quick counter leg kick but Smith is wise to it.
Smith throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ximba.
Ximba thumps Smith with a low kick.
Ximba lands with a slapping head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ximba tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ximba working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nkosinathi Ximba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ximba has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 45:50
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nkosinathi Ximba!
After winning the bout, Nkosinathi Ximba thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.