PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Paul Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stone
vs
River

186 cm
18
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
173 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Excellent boxer
KO power

Excellent MT
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Stone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe River!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stone scores with a nice strike.
Stone wants to clinch.
Stone sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Stone tries to clinch but River is having none of it.
A chopping leg kick lands by River.
Stone tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. River manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stone tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
River thumps Stone with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stone tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. River manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
River throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stone takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Stone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from River.
Stone tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River is looking to slow Stone down with leg kicks.
Stone fails in his attempt to clinch.
River looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
River lands with a nice body punch.
River throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stone's head.

It looks like Paul Stone has been cut.
Stone takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stone shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The fighters circle momentarily. River darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stone wants to clinch.

River throws out a head kick that Stone doesn't see coming - it connects and sends Stone crashing to the mat face first! He's bounced up to his knees and is scrambling to get back to his feet and beat the count. He's up on 5 but still looks a bit groggy; will the referee allow it to continue??? He's taking a good look into Stone's eyes and has decided to let it go on!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stone tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. River manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stone wants to clinch but River slips to the side
letting River counter with a right hand.
River fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stone uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
River's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stone under the eye.

Paul Stone's cut is getting worse.
Nice cross by River.
Stone wants to clinch.
River is trying to counter with his kicks.
Nice straight punches there by River. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of River.
Stone wants to clinch up but River keeps it at a distance.
Stone tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but River paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jab from River.

Paul Stone's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
River moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stone throws a lazy uppercut
and River counters with a low kick, right behind Stone 's knee.
River connects with a right hand. Stone shakes it off.
Stone tries to clinch up but River circles away and keeps his distance.

Stone walks into a big right hand from River and goes down! The referee sends River to a neutral corner as Stone gets back to his feet. He looks OK so we're back under way.

Stone is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stone darts in trying to clinch
and River counters with a slapping leg kick.
Oh Stone is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A punch lands to the side of Stone 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stone seems to have got his legs back now.

Jeez, Paul Stone's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
River throws a nice outside leg kick.
River misses with a straight right.
Stone swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stone looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
River swats away the attempt to clinch by Stone.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from River.

River looks low and kicks high, catching Stone right on the side of the head, sending him crashing to the canvas! Will he be able to beat the count? 3,4,5 - he's already back to his feet and ready to go! Let's see if he's still with it!

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Paul Stone's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Joe River!
In his post fight interview, Joe River started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.