By John Wayne Parr
February 19, 2009

Round 1: Everytime you have a Southpaw vs. an Orthodox fighter you are always going to get a bit of a messy battle. Start of the fight, both fighters want to show they have what it takes to get to the final, both fighters throw hooks off their lead hands to bridge the gap to unload.  AK isn't afraid of his bigger opponent and takes the fight right to him but Troy is just that little bit sharper landing only a few more punches to take the round 10-9.

Round 2: AK comes out harder round two.  The 1st round was close and you can't afford to leave things to chance. AK is the more aggressive fighter but now Troy has found his range and is starting to land hard punches from the outsid and scores with some nice upper cuts from the inside, snapping AK's head back.  Another round for Troy 10-9.

Round 3: Troy is now relaxed and knows he is on top,  When a fighter is relaxed, that is when he is most dangerous. Troy comes out and is now throwing his punches in 3-4 punch combos and not missing. AK is one tough man though and after a savage combo of bangs on his chest, he is calling Troy on to do better then that if he wants to hurt him.  AK comes in to apply pressure, yet with every exchange, Troy seems to come off that little better.  Another round for Troy and looks like he is going to take the fight easy.

Round 4: At the start of this round Troy is looking more dangerous then before and is landing great upper cuts and hooks.  AK keeps trudging forward, but is getting out scored.  Troy lands another big combo and AK again thumps his chest showing he has never been in danger of being hurt.  Just when you think it's all one way traffic, AK starts landing some bombs and it's Troy that looks like he is a little rocked or exhausted. The bell rings and its another round for Troy but AK would have turned into superman after seeing Troy in trouble and now is back in the fight, 10-9 Troy.

Round 5: Start of the 5th and Troy comes out and lands the biggest punch of the fight in the way of a left hook from a southpaw stance, AK takes it well but lucky to still be awake. Troy's game plan is now to unload everytime AK gets close to him and man its working a treat, AK comes in and eats 4 hooks, he steps back and Troy found a home for his upper cut right on AK's chin.  AK is a warrior though and comes in again to put Troy under more pressure landing some punches. As the round comes to a close Troy lets go with a perfect one-two landing flush, AK takes it well and Troy unloads with the same combo again and both punches snap AK's head back, AK is a machine though and it is as though nothing can hurt him. Once again another round for Troy 10-9.

Troy is all class and takes this fight every round 50-45, but AK didn't give it to him and made him work every second.
Official scores were 50-45 50-45 50-45.


Hino Vs. Rico

Round 1: Both fighters are in a orthodox stance with Rico being the much taller fighter.  Rico wants to use his long range jab to keep Hino on the outside, but Hino is clever and throws his punches in bunches to get on the inside, landing scoring punches to Rico's head. Middle of the round Rico starts to get aggressive and starts pushing Hino and landing some nice punches. Hino must know that Rico is starting to get on top of him and starts putting the pressure right back on Rico.  In a very close first round, Hino does enough to take it. 10-9 Hino.

Round 2: Hino is the shorter fighter but is having better luck fighting Rico from the outside. Rico his pawing with his jab and not committing enough to get any respect from Hino. Hino is betting Rico with his harder jab and landing nice one two's down the middle. Rico is trying to throw punches in bunches, but Hino is a little too slick to land anything damaging.  Another more convincing round for Hino 10-9.

Round 3: Hino has now found his range on the outside.  He is in perfect range so Rico can't hit him, he pushes in and delivers his punches and bounces back out before Rico has a chance to score. Rico is waiting, but when Hino pushes in, Rico just covers up and lets Hino tee off on him.  By the time he lets go, Hino is already gone smiling at him.  Another round for Hino 10-9.  Rico really needs to start using his stiff jabs if he wants Hino to stop coming in.

Round 4: Hino is moving back and letting Rico come to him, Rico is using his jab not close enough to make it land with any damage. The fighters tie up and Hino unloads with a nice little combo to the head and body to put him ahead of the cards this round. Rico is coming in again and now Hino is waiting so he can counter with over hand rights when Rico jabs. Hino lands 3 perfect right hands during the round and the biggest scoring punches of the fight.  Another round for Hino, 10-9 and the fight has almost slipped straight through Rico's fingers.

Round 5: Hino knows the fight is in the bag and dances around, staying out of harms way.  Rico is a man on a mission and needs that one big punch if he wants to live the Contender dream and make it to the final. It's a scrappy affair with lots of grappling and moving around with no one really landing any dangerous shots. Just before the bell, Hino lands a nice right hand snapping Rico's head back and the biggest punch of the fight. Wasn't much in this round so I will score it a draw. 10-10.  It's sad how things happen, but only one fighter can win and Hino is the man. I wish Rico all the best in the future as he seems like a good bloke.

I scored the fight 49-46 and the official scores were 50-45 48-47 49-46 

Hino was pretty slick this fight winning almost every round. It's going to be a great final between two great warriors. Hino has all the moves, but I am still going to go with my pick from early on with Troy to take out the whole competition to become the next Contender Champion.  I am so excited, I only wish Australia wasn't so far away so I could be in the crowd to watch the final live!