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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kantaro Hoshino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hopkins has chosen Manny Pacquiao - Lalaban Ako as his entrance music. 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.
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165 cm
35
151 lbs
32 - 8 - 1 |
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180 cm
32
153 lbs
28 - 16 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world! Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
32 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kantaro Hoshino! And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
28 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vinny Hopkins! The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Hoshino misses with an uppercut. Hoshino lands a nice looking body shot.
Hoshino lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected. Hopkins avoids a lazy jab quite easily. Hopkins is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hoshino with a body shot. Hopkins connects with a right hand. Hoshino shakes it off. Hoshino scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent. Hopkins dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hopkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing. A lazy left from Hoshino finds it's target. Hoshino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hopkins staying out of range there. Hopkins unleashes a big counter combination but Hoshino bobs and weaves and avoids any damage. Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Hoshino moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. 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! Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Hoshino. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hopkins thuds a left hand into Hoshino's body. Hopkins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage. I was talking to Hoshino's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight. Hoshino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards. Hopkins misses with a body punch.
That's one minute gone in the round. Hopkins misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards. Hoshino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Hopkins fails to land. Hopkins has a couple of punches blocked by Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a hook from the clinch. Hoshino working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hopkins as Hoshino tries to tie him up. Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hopkins. A body shot lands from Hoshino.
Hopkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hopkins blocks a body shot from Hoshino. Hoshino dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage. Hopkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoshino is trying to break the clinch but Hopkins has him pressed against the cage. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopkins. Hoshino looking to slow down the pace here. Hopkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Hoshino controls his hands.
Hoshino lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Hopkins is trying to stall.
Both fighters working to control the clinch. A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors. Hoshino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Hoshino controls the action.
Hoshino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage. Hoshino blocks a body shot from Hopkins. Hoshino tries to circle away but Hopkins has him pinned against the cage. Hoshino displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hopkins up against the cage. Hoshino is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hopkins is keeping busy. Hoshino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoshino scores with an uppercut up the middle. Hoshino scores with a nice hook to the head. Hopkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
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! Hoshino is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath. Hoshino misses with a body punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as Hopkins controls the action.
Nice body punch from Hoshino. Hoshino tries to work over Hopkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage. Hoshino misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino breaks the clinch.
Hoshino thows a left - swing and a miss! Hopkins wants to counter with a clinch but Hoshino pushes him away. A slow jab from Hoshino misses its intended target. Hopkins lands with a straight right. Hoshino didn't see that one coming. Hopkins connects with a solid leg kick. Hoshino moves away from the strike by Hopkins. Hopkins takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range. Hoshino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins scores with a shot to the body.
Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Hoshino moved out of range. Hopkins lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected. Wow, both these guys are really going for it! Hopkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hoshino.
Hopkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopkins wants to clinch and Hoshino connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's four minutes gone in the round. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Hoshino takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hoshino takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses. Hopkins takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hoshino jabbing away but nothing is landing. Hopkins lands a jab to Hoshino's midsection. Hoshino smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Hopkins has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight. The fight stays on the outside here - Hopkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though. Hoshino just misses with a punch to the body.
Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Hoshino lands with a cross. A telegraphed right hand from Hoshino misses the target. A jab from Hoshino finds it's way through Hopkins's defenses. Hoshino comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range. Hoshino swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean. Hoshino appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kantaro Hoshino dominated that round. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Good leg kick by Hopkins there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hoshino lands a nice shot to the body.
Hopkins misses with a leg kick and Hoshino counters with a lovely shot to the body. Hoshino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily. Hoshino on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hopkins fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done. Hoshino misses with a hook. Hopkins ducked under it nicely. Hoshino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Hoshino. Hopkins lands a jab to Hoshino's midsection. Hoshino scores with a punch to the head. Hoshino misses with a body shot.
Hopkins tries to counter with a clinch but Hoshino shakes him off and moves away. Hoshino wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Hoshino throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range. This has been an exciting period of action! Hoshino lands a nice hook to Hopkins's body. Hopkins takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. Hopkins staying out of range there. Hopkins lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hopkins takes a body punch but keeps moving. Hopkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing. It looked like Hoshino was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hopkins. Hopkins lands a lovely overhand right.
That's one minute gone in the round. Hoshino ducks under a wild hook from Hopkins. Hoshino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away. Hopkins avoids the body shot from Hoshino.
Kantaro Hoshino is winning the standup battle so far. Hopkins takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it. Hoshino slips under a jab. Hoshino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hopkins can do to turn this around? Hopkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hoshino. Hopkins with a body punch. A glancing blow. Hopkins lands a nice hook to Hoshino's body. Hoshino takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. Hopkins tries to clinch but Hoshino is having none of it. Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hoshino takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses. Hoshino throws a body shot but no joy. Hopkins throws out a powerful jab. Hoshino throws a hook to the side of Hopkins's head but Hopkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully. Hopkins has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off. Hopkins loads up on a big right hand but Hoshino slips the punch. Hoshino throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins connects with a right hand. Hoshino shakes it off. Hopkins fails to land with a series of punches.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hopkins.
That's two minutes gone in the round. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Hopkins pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hoshino is out of range and Hopkins settles back down. Hoshino swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hoshino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done. Hopkins misses with a straight right. A punch lands to the side of Hoshino 's head but he takes it in his stride. Hoshino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins missing with a left hand there. Hoshino was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshino manages to avoid it. Hoshino paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button. Hopkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hoshino. Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one. Hoshino cracks Hopkins with an open hand slap. Hoshino misses with a body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hoshino checks a leg kick. A little feinted left hand from Hoshino on the counter but he doesn't commit to it. Hopkins slips under a jab from Hoshino. Hopkins connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe. Hopkins missing with a left hand there. Hoshino was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hopkins, as that shot connected.
Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshino manages to avoid it. Hoshino doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body. Hoshino throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hoshino defending well as Hopkins loads up on a big left hand. Hoshino looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range. Hoshino is looking to wear down Hopkins with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment. Hopkins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hoshino moves away. Hoshino ducks right into an uppercut from Hopkins. Hoshino swats away the attempt to clinch by Hopkins. A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshino. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet. Hopkins rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Hoshino counter with a right hand. Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino. Hoshino throws a shot to the body.
Hopkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hoshino. A little jabbing left from Hopkins on the counter but it doesn't find it's target. Hoshino lands a body shot.
Hoshino scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hopkins doesn't seem bothered though. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Donk. Hopkins catches Hoshino right on the button with a cross. A punch combination from Hoshino misses. Hoshino fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hopkins on the side of the head. That kick from Hopkins tenderised Hoshino's leg. Hoshino is trying to keep his angry face on. Hoshino keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hopkins. Hoshino lands with a shot to the body. Hopkins ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent. Hopkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshino manages to avoid it. Hoshino looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range. Hoshino throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hopkins throws a shot from downtown. Hoshino moves away and avoids it. A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshino. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet. Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Hopkins avoids a lazy jab quite easily. Hopkins is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Hoshino takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hopkins connects with a solid leg kick. Hopkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hoshino. Hopkins is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hoshino. 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 Kantaro Hoshino will probably get the nod. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Hopkins lands with an overhand left. Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Hoshino just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away. Hopkins on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere. Hoshino lands a slapping body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Hopkins. Hopkins fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hoshino is out of range. Hopkins is looking to clinch. Hopkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hoshino. Hopkins looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it. Hoshino misses with a wild combination.
Hoshino throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Hopkins tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target. Hopkins swings for the body but Hoshino moves out of range.
Hopkins rushes Hoshino and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch. Hoshino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Hoshino throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopkins.
That's one minute gone in the round. Hoshino misses the body punch and Hopkins counters with a slapping leg kick. Hoshino moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot. Hopkins is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hoshino. Hoshino ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent. Hopkins throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hoshino. A quick step to the side and Hoshino tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect. Hoshino lands a right hook to the body.
Hoshino changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Hoshino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away. Hopkins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here. Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hoshino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoshino content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hopkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Hoshino controls the action.
Hoshino is struggling to control the position. Hoshino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Hopkins walks into a stiff left hand from Hoshino. Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Hoshino moved out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Hopkins avoids the body shot from Hoshino.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Hopkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hoshino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hopkins moves away. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hoshino scores with a jab to the body. Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoshino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done. Hopkins tries to clinch but Hoshino is having none of it. Hoshino bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut. A big right from Hopkins misses. Hopkins swings away with a leg kick that misses. Hopkins misses with an uppercut. Hoshino saw that one coming. Hoshino shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it. Hoshino looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range. Hoshino scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hoshino moves out of range of the strikes. Hoshino throws a jab but it's blocked by Hopkins.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Hoshino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Hopkins takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Nice defenses there by Hoshino. Hoshino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hopkins.
Hoshino swings for the body but Hopkins moves out of range.
Hopkins moves out of range of the strikes. Hopkins drives through and clinches with Hoshino against the cage.
Hoshino swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopkins uses good head movement to avoid it. Hoshino lands a nice shot to the body. Hoshino lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopkins backwards. Hopkins misses with a short punch on the inside. Kantaro Hoshino has scored more points in the clinch so far. A short uppercut from Hoshino. Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins tries to work over Hoshino's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Hoshino is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight. Hopkins misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino blocks a body shot from Hopkins. A battle for position here, against the cage. Hoshino throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges. Hopkins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Hopkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hoshino's elbow. Hopkins lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hoshino's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button! Hopkins misses with a shot to the kidneys.
This has been an exciting period of action! Hopkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hoshino stalls. Good body shot from Hopkins.
Hoshino lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hopkins. Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hopkins's elbow. Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage. Hopkins is working Hoshino over against the cage. Hoshino throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges. Hoshino blocks a body shot from Hopkins. Hoshino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Hoshino connects with a looping right hand.
Hoshino misses the shot to the body. Hopkins throws a shot from downtown. Hoshino moves away and avoids it. Hopkins lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kantaro Hoshino clearly takes 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.
Jab, jab by Hoshino - just one landing. Hoshino scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Hopkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hoshino thuds a left hand into Hopkins's body. Hopkins 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. Hoshino scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent. Hoshino lands with a cross. Hoshino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done. Hopkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshino was well out of range. Poor timing from Hopkins. Hoshino swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Hoshino checks a low kick from Hopkins. Hopkins throws a wild combination but nothing lands. Hoshino jabs Hopkins to the body, keeping him at a distance. A jab lands there for Hoshino. Hoshino throws a combination that misses and Hopkins counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hoshino thinking. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Hopkins slips a jab from Hoshino. Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino. Hoshino throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range. Hopkins fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hoshino on the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round. Hoshino misses with a body shot
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand. Hopkins misses the shot to the body. Hopkins moves out of range of the strikes. Hoshino jabbing away but nothing is landing. Hopkins fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hoshino looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath. Hoshino throws a body shot but no joy. Hoshino uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hopkins. Hoshino was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit. Hoshino cracks Hopkins with an open hand slap. Hopkins lands a jab to the head.
Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hoshino throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range. Hopkins misses with a shot to the body and Hoshino connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle. Hoshino uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins. The crowd cheers as Hopkins lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hoshino doesn't seem phased though. Hopkins rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hoshino counters with a stiff right hand. Hopkins swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target. This has been an exciting period of action! Hopkins displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hoshino throws out the jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Hopkins connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head. Hoshino throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range. Hopkins drops his hands momentarily and Hoshino takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head. Hopkins misses the jab. A counter left hand to the body from Hoshino misses its target. Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range. Hoshino takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses. Hopkins steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hoshino. Nice jab there from Hoshino. Hoshino uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook. Hoshino takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it. Hopkins tries to clinch but Hoshino moves out of range. Hopkins missing with a left hand there. Hoshino was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Hopkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Hoshino is just out of range. Hopkins misses with a jab to the body
and Hoshino counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head. Hoshino ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face. Hoshino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily. Hopkins's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hopkins duly obliges. Hopkins misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hoshino.
Hoshino throws the left hand but Hopkins avoids the punch easily. It seemed like Hopkins was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it. Hopkins has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
That's three minutes gone in the round. A telegraphed right hand from Hopkins misses the target. An attempted straight right counter from Hoshino misses the target. Hopkins takes a body punch but keeps moving. Hoshino misses with a straight left. Hoshino connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt. Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hopkins digs a good body shot into Hoshino's ribs. Hoshino swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hopkins. Hopkins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face. Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins clinches up against the cage. Hopkins prevents a body shot from Hoshino. Hoshino blocks a body shot from Hopkins. Hoshino makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut. A short body shot lands from Hoshino as the two fighters clinch.
Hoshino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Hopkins dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hoshino. That did some damage! Hoshino darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
That's four minutes gone in the round. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Hoshino looks to throw the jab but Hopkins is out of range. Hopkins wants to counter the offense by Hoshino and move into the clinch position. A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshino. Hopkins does a little dance to reset his feet. Hopkins takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hoshino checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hopkins wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hoshino walks into a left hand. Hopkins misses the jab. Hopkins lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected. A cross from Hoshino lands. Hoshino fakes a head shot and lands one to the body. Hoshino bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hopkins's head backwards. Hoshino lands with a nice body punch. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Hopkins misses with a body shot
and Hoshino counters with a straight punch to the midsection. Hopkins looks to throw the jab but Hoshino is out of range. Hopkins connects with a single shot there. Hoshino throws a body shot but no joy. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kantaro Hoshino had his way with Vinny Hopkins in that round. The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Hoshino misses with a looping left. Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Hoshino. Hopkins avoids the body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a body shot.
Hopkins misses the shot to the body. A slow jab from Hopkins misses its intended target. Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino. Hoshino misses with a wild body shot. Hoshino throws a shot from downtown. Hopkins moves away and avoids it. Hopkins wants to counter the offense by Hoshino and move into the clinch position. Hoshino staying out of range there. Hoshino lands with a right hand. Hopkins turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Hoshino slips under a jab. Hoshino jabbing away but nothing is landing. Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done. Hoshino throws a lazy right hand but Hopkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. Hoshino misses with a body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round. Hopkins tries to clinch but Hoshino is having none of it. Hopkins getting the better of the striking in that exchange. A big left from Hoshino misses. Hopkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Hoshino. Hoshino throws a body shot but no joy. Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hoshino throws a body shot but no joy. Hoshino takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hopkins misses with a wild body shot. Hoshino misses with a hook. Hopkins ducked under it nicely. Hoshino throws the left hand but Hopkins avoids the punch easily. Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoshino just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hopkins sees it coming and avoids it easily. The fighters circling - Hopkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Hoshino throws a jab when Hopkins was well out of range. Hoshino takes a swing at Hopkins's ribcage but misses. Vinny Hopkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round. Hoshino moves forwards but Hopkins connects with a nice, crisp jab. Hopkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hopkins fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hoshino looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath. Hoshino moves out of range of the leg kick from Hopkins. It looked like Hoshino was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hopkins. Hopkins misses with a shot to the body enabling Hoshino to counter with a crisp jab. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Hopkins throws a jab when Hoshino was well out of range. A big right from Hopkins misses. Hopkins is looking to clinch but Hoshino is avoiding it.
Hoshino was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit. Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hopkins.
Hopkins wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. A jab lands there for Hopkins. Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino. Hoshino misses with a body shot
and Hopkins counters with a straight right hand. The fighters circle momentarily. Hoshino darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch. Hopkins looks to land a right hand but Hoshino moved out of range. Hoshino uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hopkins. Hoshino fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hopkins manages to avoid it.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Hopkins avoids the body shot from Hoshino.
Hopkins tries to counter with a clinch but Hoshino shakes him off and moves away. Hopkins displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hoshino throws out the jab. Hoshino steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hopkins. Hoshino loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch. Hopkins wants to counter with a clinch but Hoshino pushes him away. Hopkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoshino looks to score with a jab to the body but Hopkins is just out of range. Hoshino throws a body punch but Hopkins moves out of range. Hopkins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kantaro Hoshino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach. Hopkins connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt. Hopkins cracks Hoshino with a good jab. Hoshino uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hopkins. Hopkins walks into a straight right hand from Hoshino. Hopkins ducks under a wild hook from Hoshino. Hopkins misses with a low kick. Hopkins is looking to clinch but Hoshino is avoiding it.
Hopkins takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hopkins misses with a hook. Hoshino ducked under it nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Hoshino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hopkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Hoshino. Hopkins swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hoshino cracks him with a counter punch right on the button. Hoshino loads up on a big right hand but Hopkins slips the punch. Hoshino waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hopkins. This has been an exciting period of action! Hopkins drives through and clinches with Hoshino against the cage.
Hopkins tries to throw a body punch but Hoshino avoids it by throwing Hopkins back against the cage. A head punch blocked on the inside by Hoshino. Hopkins tries to work over Hoshino's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Hopkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Hopkins lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage. Hopkins can't find room to land a body shot as Hoshino controls the action.
Hoshino blocks a body shot from Hopkins. A nice left hand lands by Hopkins.
And that's the end of the fight! I would just about give that final round to Vinny Hopkins. I think Hoshino 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision. Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47 Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45 Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kantaro Hoshino! Kantaro Hoshino retains his featherweight title! After the big win, Kantaro Hoshino made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Sully's Bar & Grill and telling the interviewer how much he loves him. The defeated Vinny Hopkins had this to say: 'As always I can do everything through Christ my lord and savior who strengthens me. Without him I wouldn't be here tonight. Don't worry I'll be back.'.
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
79% |
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