PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Zlatan Zirkov (ranked 23413 p4p, 567 weight class) and Gary Saxton (ranked 24126 p4p, 553 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.

Zirkov
vs
Saxton

172 cm
27
160 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

179 cm
27
165 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Excellent boxer
Experienced

Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zlatan Zirkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gary Saxton!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saxton fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saxton misses with a wild combination.
Saxton with a hook.
Zirkov thows a body kick. Saxton tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Zirkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zirkov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Saxton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zirkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Saxton tries to get set, Zirkov tries to push him back and clinch up but Saxton manages to avoid the attempt.
Saxton avoids the body shot from Zirkov.
Saxton throws a low kick, looking for Zirkov's leg but Zirkov calmly moves out of range.
Zirkov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zirkov scores with a jab to the head.
Saxton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zirkov throws a lazy head kick
and Saxton counters with an outside leg kick.
Saxton staying out of range there.
Saxton throws a hook but Zirkov avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saxton throws a leg kick but Zirkov checks it.
A little feinted left hand from Zirkov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zirkov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Saxton.
Saxton moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Saxton takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saxton throws a series of punches but Zirkov moves out of range.
Zirkov is looking to slow Saxton down with leg kicks.
Saxton throws out a loose jab but Zirkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zirkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saxton connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zirkov momentarily.
A lazy body kick from Zirkov
and Saxton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zirkov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Saxton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zirkov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Saxton throws a hook but Zirkov avoids it easily.
It appears Zirkov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Zirkov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zirkov scores with a head kick. Saxton tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Saxton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zirkov.
Zirkov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zirkov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zirkov backing away here, and Saxton unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Zirkov is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Saxton chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zirkov can pounce on him.
Zirkov scoring well with a low kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saxton misses with the combination.
Zirkov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Saxton is out of range.
Saxton is looking for the big counter here.
Zirkov thows a leg kick but Saxton checks it
and Saxton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saxton lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Saxton has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zirkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Zirkov has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saxton.
Zirkov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zirkov scores a nice knee to the body.
Zirkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Saxton avoids the damage to the body.
Zirkov tries to break the clinch but Saxton is controlling the position.
Zirkov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Zirkov can't find room to land a body shot as Saxton controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saxton on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zirkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saxton avoids it.
Zirkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Saxton avoids the damage to the body.
Zirkov avoids the elbow strike from Saxton, against the ropes.
Zirkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Saxton won't allow it.
Zirkov can't break the clinch.
Saxton on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saxton looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Zirkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Saxton.

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

Saxton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zirkov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Saxton taking a breather.

Saxton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zirkov closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Saxton.
Saxton lands an elbow that stopped Zirkov in his tracks for a moment.

Saxton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saxton doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A jab from Saxton finds it's way through Zirkov's defenses.
Zirkov misses with a leg kick
letting Saxton counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zirkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Saxton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saxton moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Saxton throws a nice looking combination but Zirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zirkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Zirkov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Saxton's calf.
Saxton misses with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saxton missing with a left hand there. Zirkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saxton throws a chopping leg kick but Zirkov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Saxton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zirkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saxton takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Saxton dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Saxton throws a body punch but Zirkov moves out of range.
Zirkov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Zirkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zirkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saxton misses with a lunging right hand
and Zirkov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zirkov throws the kick towards the body but Saxton avoids it.
Zirkov scores with a jab.
A clash of legs there as Saxton blocks the low kick.
Saxton cracks Zirkov with a good jab.
Zirkov throws a head kick but Saxton moves out of range.
Zirkov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saxton misses with a few strikes there.
Zirkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Saxton circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Zirkov.
A punch combination from Saxton misses.
Zirkov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Saxton.
Zirkov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zirkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saxton.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zirkov staying out of range there.
Saxton is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirkov cracks Saxton with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Saxton misses with a two punch combination.
As Saxton backs away, Zirkov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Saxton fails to land with a series of punches.
Saxton swings for the body but Zirkov moves out of range.
Zirkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Gary Saxton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice combination there by Saxton.
Zirkov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Saxton looks to land a right hand but Zirkov moved out of range.
A good leg kick by Zirkov.
A slapping leg kick lands for Saxton.
Saxton checks a leg kick nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zirkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
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!
Zirkov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Saxton looks to throw the jab but Zirkov is out of range.
Zirkov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Saxton throws a body kick that misses
and Zirkov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zirkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zirkov.
Zirkov slips a straight right by Saxton.
Zirkov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Saxton's corner calls for a 1-2. Saxton obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Saxton misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zirkov misses with a head kick.
Saxton gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zirkov.
Good work by Saxton as he checks the leg kick.
Zirkov connects with a body shot.
Saxton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zirkov connects with a right hand. Saxton shakes it off.
Zlatan Zirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zirkov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saxton. That did some damage!
Saxton throws a hook but Zirkov avoids it easily.
Zirkov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Zirkov takes a swing at Saxton's ribcage but misses.
Zirkov looks for the body kick but Saxton saw that one coming.
Zirkov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Saxton misses with a hook. Zirkov ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Saxton. Those never looked like landing.
Zirkov throws a shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zirkov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Saxton swats away the attempt to clinch by Zirkov.
Zirkov is looking to wear down Saxton with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
That kick from Zirkov tenderised Saxton's leg. Saxton is trying to keep his angry face on.
Saxton misses with a straight left.
Saxton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zirkov moves away.
Saxton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zirkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zirkov slips a straight right by Saxton.
Saxton throws out a leg kick but Zirkov moves out of range and Saxton only half commits.
Zirkov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Zirkov lands with a slapping head kick.
Zirkov scoring well with a low kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Saxton lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zirkov doesn't seem phased though.
A lazy left from Zirkov finds it's target.
Saxton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zirkov tries to clinch but Saxton moves out of range.
It seemed like Saxton was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zirkov looks for the body kick but Saxton saw that one coming.
Saxton takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zirkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saxton.
Saxton misses with an attempted mid kick.
Saxton moves out of range of the body kick.
Saxton's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Saxton has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zirkov.
Zirkov lands a jab.
Saxton comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slow jab from Saxton misses its intended target.
Saxton throws a lazy right hand but Zirkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zirkov wants to clinch up but Saxton keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zlatan Zirkov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Saxton gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zirkov moves out of range of the body kick.
Saxton misses with a wild body shot.
Zirkov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saxton.
Saxton tries to work over Zirkov's front leg with a kick but Zirkov checks it.
Saxton thuds a left hand into Zirkov's body.
Zirkov throws a body kick that misses
and Saxton counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zirkov's knee momentarily.
Saxton throws a hook but Zirkov blocks it.
Zirkov misses with a right hand
and Saxton makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zirkov.
Saxton misses with a hook. Zirkov ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zirkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saxton moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zirkov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A low kick from Zirkov is predictable there
and Saxton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zirkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saxton throws a shot from downtown. Zirkov moves away and avoids it.
Saxton scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saxton.
Saxton throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Saxton takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Saxton tries to keep at a distance but Zirkov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zirkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saxton avoids it.
A shot in the inside from Saxton.
Zirkov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saxton is defending well for now.
Zirkov crunches a lovely knee into Saxton's ribcage.
Zirkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saxton avoids it.
Zirkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saxton avoids it.
Saxton tries to stall but Zirkov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Saxton breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saxton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zirkov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Saxton checks it well.
Saxton scores with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Saxton.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zirkov.

Zirkov pushes Saxton up against the ropes in a clinch.
Saxton on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zirkov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saxton's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Saxton looking to stall.
Saxton taking a breather.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zirkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saxton.
Zirkov pushes Saxton away with a front kick.
Zirkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zirkov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zirkov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saxton is looking to land body kicks.
Saxton tries to move into range but Zirkov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Zirkov thumps Saxton with a low kick.
Zirkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zirkov wants to slow Saxton down by chopping away at his legs.
Zirkov walks into a straight right hand from Saxton.
Saxton lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A slow jab from Saxton misses its intended target.
Saxton looks to throw the jab but Zirkov is out of range.
Saxton stalks Zirkov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zirkov's face. Zirkov staggers backwards, shaken.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zirkov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Zirkov.
An inside leg kick lands from Zirkov.
Zirkov lands a right hook to the body.
Saxton throws the left hand but Zirkov avoids the punch easily.
Zirkov throws a head kick but Saxton moves out of range.
Zirkov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Saxton is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zirkov. Saxton does a little dance to reset his feet.
A leg kick checked by Zirkov.
Zirkov misses with a kick to the body.
Zirkov moves to clinch but Saxton breaks away
and Saxton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saxton lands a jab to Zirkov's midsection.
Saxton lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zirkov's sensitive parts.
Zirkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saxton moves away.
Zirkov connects with a leg kick. Saxton looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gary Saxton.
I think Saxton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Zlatan Zirkov!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Gary Saxton!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Gary Saxton!

Gary Saxton wins by split decision!