PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Thomas Hearn (ranked 5821 p4p, 493 weight class) and Shoda Taketa (ranked 5136 p4p, 462 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Shoda Taketa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Hearn
vs
Taketa

185 cm
19
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Excellent MT
Granite chin

Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Kore Fight Nutrition

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Thomas Hearn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shoda Taketa!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jorge Garcia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hearn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Taketa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taketa swings wildly with an uppercut but Hearn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hearn lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Taketa tries to work over Hearn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hearn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taketa's elbow.
Taketa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hearn lands with a light punch inside.
Hearn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hearn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taketa can't find room to land a body shot as Hearn controls the action.
Taketa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taketa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A body shot lands from Hearn.
Hearn keeps control of Taketa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hearn has Taketa pressed against the ropes, preventing Taketa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Taketa is trying to break the clinch but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearn struggles to land a body shot inside as Taketa controls his hands.
Hearn can't find room to land a body shot as Taketa controls the action.
Hearn can't find room to land a body shot as Taketa controls the action.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hearn lands a shot to the body.
Taketa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Hearn scores with a nice short uppercut.
Taketa can't break the clinch.
Taketa tries to work over Hearn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hearn digs a right hand into Taketa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Taketa's gas tank.
Hearn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taketa.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hearn.
Hearn lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hearn lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearn misses with some punches.
Taketa blocks a body shot from Hearn.
Taketa can't break the clinch.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hearn can't find room to land a body shot as Taketa controls the action.
Hearn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taketas head.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Hearn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hearn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hearn lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hearn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Taketa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Hearn.
Hearn pushes Taketa back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hearn.
Hearn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taketa's elbow.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Taketa throws an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearn prevents Taketa from breaking the clinch.
Hearn has a couple of punches blocked by Taketa.
Hearn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taketa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes.
Hearn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taketa misses with a punch to the body.
Hearn tries to throw a body punch but Taketa avoids it by throwing Hearn back against the ropes.
Taketa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hearn.
Hearn tries to work over Taketa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hearn misses with a body punch.
Hearn digs a right hand underneath Taketa's ribcage. Taketa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hearn scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Hearn - that landed with a thud.
Taketa tries to break the clinch but Hearn is controlling the position.
A short right from Hearn.
A frustrated look appears on Taketa's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Hearn as the two fighters clinch.
Hearn can't find room to land a body shot as Taketa controls the action.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hearn tries a body shot but Taketa blocks it.
Hearn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taketa backwards.
A short body shot lands from Hearn as the two fighters clinch.
Taketa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hearn misses with a body punch.
Hearn holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Hearn lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Taketa or not.
Hearn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hearn throws a head punch that misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice left hand lands by Hearn.
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!
Taketa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hearn paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hearn scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Hearn gets a clinch.
Hearn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hearn misses with a body punch.
Hearn misses with the head strike.
Taketa tries to break the clinch but Hearn is controlling the position.
Taketa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hearn misses with a body punch.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Taketa misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taketa tries to land knees in the clinch but Hearn avoids the damage to the body.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Hearn fails to land.
Hearn lands a shoulder strike.
Hearn lands a shoulder strike.
Taketa misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taketa blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Hearn - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Hearn on the inside.
Hearn lands a shot to the body.
Hearn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taketa can do to turn this around?
Hearn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Hearn.
Thomas Hearn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Taketa has had enough of the clinch but Hearn keeps him there for the moment.
Hearn lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hearn works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hearn presses Taketa against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hearn misses with some punches.
Hearn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Hearn - that landed with a thud.
Hearn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taketa throws a punch but it's blocked by Hearn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hearn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hearn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taketa is trying to push Hearn away but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

Hearn breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taketa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hearn tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taketa manages to circle out of the way.
Taketa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Taketa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hearn looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Taketa takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Taketa throws a nice looking combination but Hearn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taketa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Hearn clinches.
Hearn tries a body shot but Taketa blocks it.
Taketa is trying to push Hearn away but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Hearn swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taketa wants to break free but Hearn has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taketa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hearn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taketa blocks an uppercut.
Taketa has had enough of the clinch but Hearn keeps him there for the moment.
Hearn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hearn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hearn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Taketa tries to break the clinch but Hearn is controlling the position.
Hearn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Taketa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taketa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hearn scores with a shoulder strike.
Taketa is trying to break the clinch but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes.
Hearn tries to throw a body punch but Taketa avoids it by throwing Hearn back against the ropes.
Hearn lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taketa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hearn prevents Taketa from breaking the clinch.
Hearn tries a body shot but Taketa blocks it.
Hearn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hearn scores with a hook to the body.
Taketa has had enough of the clinch but Hearn keeps him there for the moment.
Hearn tries to throw a body punch but Taketa avoids it by throwing Hearn back against the ropes.
Hearn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hearn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hearn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hearn tries to work over Taketa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hearn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hearn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taketa struggles to land a body shot inside as Hearn controls his hands.
Hearn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Hearn dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Taketa tries to work over Hearn's front leg with a kick but Hearn checks it.
Hearn tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taketa manages to circle out of the way.
Taketa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hearn lands a right hook to the body.
Taketa throws a looping overhand right but Hearn ducks down to avoid it.
Hearn seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Taketa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Taketa takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Taketa tries to keep at a distance but Hearn has taken the fight into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Hearn.
Hearn lands a left hand.
Hearn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hearn lands with a left to the head.
Hearn tries a body shot but Taketa blocks it.
Hearn misses with a punch on the inside.
Taketa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hearn gets through Taketa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hearn tries to throw a body punch but Taketa avoids it by throwing Hearn back against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearn lands a left hand.
Hearn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Taketa backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hearn.
Hearn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taketas head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hearn.
Hearn misses with a body punch.
Hearn tries a body shot but Taketa blocks it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Taketa is trying to break free.
Taketa tries to work over Hearn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hearn lands a hook that snaps the head of Taketa backwards.
Hearn lands a left hand.
Hearn tries a body shot but Taketa blocks it.
Hearn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taketa backwards.
Taketa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taketa's elbow.
Hearn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taketa pushes Hearn back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hearn can't find room to land a body shot as Taketa controls the action.
A hook to the body from Hearn.
Hearn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hearn scores with a hook to the body.
Hearn lands a body shot.
Still in the clinch, Hearn scores with a nice short uppercut.

Hearn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taketa stuns Hearn with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hearn just misses with a punch to the body.
Taketa thuds a left hand into Hearn's body.

Hearn clinches.
Taketa blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearn digs a right hand into Taketa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Taketa's gas tank.
Hearn softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
A short right from Hearn.
Hearn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hearn misses with the head strike.
Hearn keeps control of Taketa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taketa misses with the head strike.
Thomas Hearn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A frustrated look appears on Taketa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Taketa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hearn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taketa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearn struggles to land a body shot inside as Taketa controls his hands.
Hearn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taketa's elbow.
Taketa is trying to push Hearn away but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Hearn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hearn lands a body shot.
Taketa is trying to break free.
Taketa is trying to force a seperation but Hearn has the dominant position.
Taketa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hearn's elbow.
Shoda Taketa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taketa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hearn has him pressed against the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Hearn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hearn has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:26
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Hearn!