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SportsTranscript
00:00 - Okay, gentlemen, we've been over the rules
00:01 in the dressing room.
00:03 I expect a good, clean fight.
00:04 Protect yourself at all times and listen to my commands.
00:07 Good luck, touch gloves.
00:09 - Rocky Bakasegwa said,
00:15 "I love to put pressure on my opponents."
00:19 Kosey Tanaka said,
00:20 "It would be best if I got a knockout.
00:22 I don't want to win an anticlimactic showing."
00:26 So both fighters want to make a statement here
00:30 in our first of three title fights.
00:33 Karin Batia on the call, joined by Chris Algieri.
00:36 Kosey Tanaka in the black and green trunks.
00:39 Rocky Bakasegwa in the white, green, and red.
00:45 - Yeah, both these guys coming out with the posture
00:46 that they're looking to trade, looking to exchange.
00:49 So living up to what they said pre-fight
00:51 already here in round one.
00:53 - And for Bakasegwa,
00:59 it is his first time fighting out of Mexico.
01:02 So he is doing something different here, Chris,
01:05 coming to the home, of course, of Kosey Tanaka.
01:08 - Yeah, first world title fight, too,
01:09 so doing that on the road, never an easy task.
01:14 - And Tanaka having success there with the jab.
01:22 Rocked the head back of Bakasegwa a few times.
01:24 And it looks like Tanaka's using this round
01:27 to find that placement for that lead jab right there.
01:31 - Yeah, I think he's trying to find his rhythm right now.
01:34 I expected him to be a little more fluid
01:36 with his offense early on, like I've seen from Tate,
01:38 but right now I think he's just trying to catch the rhythm
01:40 and timing of Bakasegwa, who can be a little awkward
01:46 with his movements at times.
01:48 - And he's got a lot of experience.
01:50 - Yeah, he's got a lot of experience.
01:52 - We were talking about the advantages
01:56 of deep amateur experience.
01:57 Reportedly, Bakasegwa has had over 100 amateur fights
02:01 with only six or seven of those being losses.
02:05 And of course, he also has extensive experience
02:07 in the pro ranks as well.
02:08 - Yeah, that's a ton of amateur experience
02:10 for a Mexican fighter.
02:11 A lot of times those guys will turn pro
02:13 very, very early on.
02:15 It's curious to see a guy who has that much experience
02:18 and has so many fights in the pros
02:20 before he got his first world title fight.
02:22 Ooh, good left hook there from Bakasegwa.
02:25 Partially blocked by Tanaka, but landed well.
02:30 - And we're seeing that jab get through for Tanaka.
02:34 - Yeah, I like how he's dropping his head,
02:35 changing levels, putting that jab up,
02:37 getting his head off the line.
02:39 Smart offense and defense together with that jab.
02:43 Good hand position as well as he backs out.
02:45 Ooh, good overhand right and a left hook
02:46 and a deliver from Bakasegwa.
02:48 That's the thing, when you give Bakasegwa some ground,
02:51 he's gonna build off that momentum,
02:53 put those combinations together.
02:54 You gotta be careful.
02:55 He's a pretty decent puncher too.
02:57 - And one thing we mentioned in the tale of the tape,
02:59 Bakasegwa has the 66 inch reach
03:03 while Tanaka has 63 and three quarters.
03:05 So there is a difference there in reach,
03:07 even though they're relatively the same height.
03:10 - Yeah, but Tanaka just looks like the bigger man.
03:12 I mean, you look at his legs, you look at his upper body.
03:15 There's a lot more lean tissue on him,
03:16 but looks like the bigger guy in the weight class.
03:21 Certainly the bigger puncher with 11 KOs and his 19 wins.
03:26 (crowd cheering)
03:29 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
03:33 (upbeat music)
03:35 (upbeat music)
03:41 (upbeat music)
03:43 (upbeat music)
03:46 (upbeat music)
03:48 (upbeat music)
03:51 (upbeat music)
03:54 (upbeat music)
03:56 (upbeat music)
03:59 (upbeat music)
04:02 (upbeat music)
04:04 (upbeat music)
04:07 (upbeat music)
04:10 (upbeat music)
04:12 (upbeat music)
04:15 (upbeat music)
04:18 (upbeat music)
04:21 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
04:25 (bell dings)
04:26 - Good jab work from Tanaka in that first round, though.
04:28 I think he's finding his rhythm and his reach.
04:30 - Round two underway in our
04:32 Super Flyweight Championship fight.
04:34 This is for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight belt,
04:39 which was at one point held by Junto Nakatani,
04:41 who we're gonna see in our next fight.
04:43 Both of these men supremely motivated,
04:46 knowing that a championship strap is on the line.
04:49 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
04:52 - And a good series of jabs there
04:54 and some movement there for Bakasegwa.
04:56 - And some decent head movement from Tanaka.
04:59 I've seen that in past tape.
05:01 He moves his head quite well when he's moving out.
05:03 (crowd cheering)
05:05 Nice fluid head movement there,
05:07 but Bakasegwa's being very smart.
05:09 As Tanaka changes levels and rolls those punches,
05:12 he brings his shots down to the body like that,
05:14 and then ripped another one up with a nice uppercut
05:16 that landed to the head.
05:18 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
05:19 - It does seem, Chris, I know it's early in the fight,
05:22 but Bakasegwa seems to be investing more to the body.
05:25 - Yeah, I mean, look at his trunks.
05:27 He's a Mexican fighter, you know?
05:28 The Mexican left hook to the liver is a classic,
05:31 and he keeps going for it, which is smart,
05:33 'cause Tanaka does move that head well.
05:35 There it is again.
05:37 And even those punches that guys block on their elbows,
05:42 that digs into the ribs anyway.
05:43 You can feel those punches through the guard at times.
05:48 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
05:49 - And for Tanaka, we see him trying to figure out
05:53 the length of the jab there.
05:55 It looks like in a way, with his head movement,
05:57 with his speed, he's gonna use the jab
05:59 to set up that big right hand.
06:01 - Tanaka's having a lot of trouble
06:03 with the awkwardness of Bakasegwa.
06:04 He's getting hit with shots he's not expecting.
06:06 The body work has been very aggressive from Bakasegwa,
06:09 and it's been very effective,
06:10 especially here in round number two.
06:12 Tanaka has not found his rhythm yet.
06:14 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
06:19 (crowd cheering)
06:21 - I mentioned from the open,
06:22 Bakasegwa is a very aggressive guy.
06:23 He fights very heavy over that front foot.
06:25 Look for uppercuts from Tanaka.
06:27 If he can find that, find that rhythm and that timing,
06:30 that's gonna be a punch that's gonna be available
06:31 to him one day.
06:32 - Less than a minute to go in the second round
06:37 of our 115-pound championship fight.
06:40 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
06:45 - And Chris, you mentioned it.
06:54 It really is a testament to Bakasegwa's awkward style,
06:57 because it seems like Tanaka is throwing punches,
07:00 expecting Bakasegwa to be in a certain place,
07:03 and he's not always there.
07:04 - Yeah, exactly.
07:05 That's a great point, Curran.
07:06 A lot of times you fight guys that aren't doing
07:09 what you're supposed to do fundamentally,
07:10 he can throw you off, especially when you're such
07:13 a fundamental textbook fighter, the way that Tanaka is.
07:16 (crowd cheering)
07:18 Oh man, good combination from Bakasegwa
07:20 as he backs Tanaka into the corner.
07:22 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
07:25 Nothing fancy from Bakasegwa, but it's effective.
07:28 (crowd cheering)
07:31 (announcer speaking in foreign language)
07:38 (crowd cheering)
07:40 - We see a nice one-one-two,
07:42 that overhand right at the end lands well.
07:44 He landed a couple of those in round two.
07:46 And then when he does miss, he comes back
07:49 with that left hook or left uppercut.
07:51 There we see Tanaka counters with the jab,
07:53 as Bakasegwa got caught reaching.
07:57 - We've definitely seen the jab in play for Tanaka.
08:05 - Tanaka's known as a good technical boxer.
08:08 He uses his height, uses his length.
08:10 We mentioned the amateur experience for Bakasegwa.
08:15 Tanaka also had 51 amateur fights going 46 and five.
08:18 So he's also got that background as well.
08:21 Both of these men have experience
08:23 in both the amateur and pro ranks.
08:25 - I'm always surprised at how fast
08:27 these Japanese fighters start as pros.
08:30 They get into big fights right away.
08:34 - That's certainly the case for Tanaka.
08:36 He won a world championship in just his fifth pro fight.
08:40 He's already been a three division world champion.
08:44 And if Tanaka is successful tonight,
08:46 he'll be only the third man from Japan
08:48 to win championships in four different weight classes.
08:51 - And that's wild.
08:52 You said he only had about 51 amateur fights.
08:54 So go from 51 amateur fights
08:55 to fighting for a world title and winning it
08:57 in your fourth pro fight is very, very special.
09:00 Good work here from Bakasegwa.
09:02 It goes down to the body.
09:04 - And also, Bakasegwa is using a good jab.
09:06 He's actually backing Tanaka up
09:08 and he's throwing it at the right height.
09:10 He's throwing it to the collarbone of Tanaka.
09:12 Even though Tanaka has that good head movement,
09:13 he's getting hit oftentimes when he's rolling and moving
09:17 'cause Bakasegwa is aiming that punch in the right height.
09:22 (crowd cheering)
09:25 - There was a jab there that was effective for Tanaka.
09:27 And it seems like more of what we've seen
09:30 from round one and round two,
09:31 he's trying to find the placement for that jab,
09:34 that range finding.
09:36 - He hasn't been able to land much else though.
09:37 He's been good with jabs at certain times,
09:42 but he has not been able to follow up
09:43 with his power punches.
09:44 And he has very good combinations.
09:46 His right hand, his left hook are excellent.
09:48 Haven't seen that yet from Tanaka.
09:49 Hasn't been able to hone in on Bakasegwa's offering movement.
09:53 Good body shot there from Bakasegwa.
09:55 - Halfway through our round three.
09:57 And Chris, we've been talking about this.
09:59 It's a testament to the awkwardness of Bakasegwa
10:03 and that head movement.
10:04 And sometimes when he throws a combination,
10:06 he's ducking his head to the right or left.
10:08 So it's gonna take Tanaka a while
10:09 to kind of figure that out.
10:10 That's different than a lot of fighters.
10:11 - You know what it reminds me of?
10:13 Rocky Balboa.
10:14 Very awkward guy who's very tough,
10:16 goes in there, throws big punches, makes it work.
10:19 That's exactly why Bakasegwa has that nickname.
10:22 - Bakasegwa known as Rocky,
10:27 adopted that nickname for his fighting style.
10:30 And he's got the endorsement of Chris Algieri
10:34 for that nickname.
10:35 - Making it work.
10:37 The only thing he's missing is being southpaw,
10:38 but he does have a good left hand.
10:40 - 30 seconds to go in this round three.
10:56 - Good right hand there for Tanaka, gets through.
10:58 It looks like he's been looking for that for a while.
11:00 - Good counter right hand as Bakasegwa rushed in.
11:03 It seemed like it buzzed the legs a little bit of Rocky,
11:07 but one of the best power punches so far from Tanaka.
11:11 - Quick jab gets in there for Tanaka.
11:25 - Time.
11:26 (crowd cheering)
11:30 (upbeat music)
11:32 the world.
11:33 (upbeat music)
11:36 (upbeat music)
11:39 (upbeat music)
11:41 (upbeat music)
11:44 (upbeat music)
11:46 (upbeat music)
11:49 (upbeat music)
11:52 (upbeat music)
11:54 (upbeat music)
11:57 (upbeat music)
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12:05 - Wait, what?
12:06 - You've won too much, Tommy.
12:07 Let others play.
12:08 - So I'm in if I'm not Tom Brady?
12:09 - You're in.
12:10 Now dog me.
12:11 - What if I used to babysit Tom Brady
12:12 and he was a little troublemaker?
12:14 - No one likes a snitch, but you're in.
12:16 - What if I'm the Tom Brady of spreadsheets?
12:18 - You're in.
12:19 - What if I'm--
12:20 - We're seeing the corner there of Tanaka,
12:21 and it sounded like if you were giving them advice,
12:24 you would say, get that uppercut ready
12:27 for when Bakasegwa ducks his head
12:29 to the right or left side,
12:30 and then get that uppercut ready to counter that.
12:33 - Well, first off, I would say get busier.
12:35 You need to let those hands go,
12:36 but also get busy with the leads,
12:38 and then as you step out, get ready for the counter,
12:40 'cause you know Bakasegwa's gonna come right back at you,
12:42 and that's a perfect time to fire off that counter,
12:44 whether it be the straight right hand or the uppercut.
12:46 There's gonna be opportunities
12:47 created off of your own offense.
12:49 Again, nice pull counter with the right hand
12:54 over the top from Tanaka.
12:57 He's just a little bit off on his precision,
13:00 but he's starting to find his range and his timing.
13:02 Now you see him stepping outside of those awkward shots
13:04 of Bakasegwa's very, very good movement.
13:06 Excellent there, and again, sliding onto the left hook.
13:09 - Kosei Tanaka looking to make history tonight,
13:20 to become only the third man from Japan
13:23 to be a four-division world champion,
13:25 but he's got his hands full with Rocky Bakasegwa,
13:30 who's been landing to the body, using good head movement,
13:33 and taking advantage of an awkward style,
13:35 and at times frustrating Kosei Tanaka.
13:37 - Yeah, I think Bakasegwa's been boxing very, very smart
13:40 thus far, he's been able to disarm Tanaka,
13:45 who is an excellent, excellent offense,
13:47 which we're seeing more of this round.
13:49 But yeah, I think the corner of Tanaka told him,
13:53 "Hey man, we gotta pick it up.
13:55 "This is a world title fight,
13:57 "and we got a guy who's outworking you."
13:58 - And we're seeing it right there.
14:01 Bakasegwa landed a combination,
14:03 and then moved out of the way.
14:05 So it's not just the head movement,
14:07 Bakasegwa's also showing some good movement here as well.
14:10 - Yeah, yeah, it's not just his combination punching,
14:12 it's not just his body work,
14:13 it's that upper body movement, that head movement,
14:16 it's a little bit awkward, we keep saying that,
14:18 but he's making it work.
14:23 - And Chris, to your point with a minute here,
14:25 left in round four,
14:27 Bakasegwa's just the busier guy,
14:29 and even if some of those punches
14:31 are hitting shoulders or elbows,
14:33 he is throwing more,
14:34 so if you're in the corner of Tanaka,
14:36 you're gonna say, like you said,
14:37 "Get busier, throw more."
14:39 - Yeah, I mean, when he lets his hands go,
14:40 there we saw a nice body shot down low from Tanaka.
14:43 He lands beautiful shots,
14:44 pops the head back of Bakasegwa there with that jab,
14:49 just needs to build off those jabs,
14:51 let those combinations go.
14:52 I've seen it in past fights,
14:54 he's got beautiful combination punching
14:55 and excellent power punches on either hand.
14:58 We just haven't seen it yet tonight.
15:00 There's a nice right hand left hook,
15:04 there we go, now we're seeing
15:05 those combinations starting to fly.
15:07 - You mentioned the combinations,
15:09 and on cue, Tanaka picking up the pace,
15:13 landing combinations,
15:14 but Bakasegwa is just bringing it on.
15:18 Head movement, lateral movement around the ring.
15:22 And not making this an easy night for Kosei Tanaka.
15:25 (bell ringing)
15:27 - And that sequence we saw at the end of the round,
15:36 that is essentially Tanaka's style in microcosm.
15:41 Beautiful combination punches upstairs
15:44 with good power shots,
15:45 and then nice slick head movement
15:48 to evade the counters.
15:50 When he does that, he can't lose,
15:52 but there has not been much of that tonight.
15:55 I think based off of the awkwardness of Bakasegwa,
15:58 and also it's just his pressure
16:00 and his combination punching.
16:02 - But we saw it there in that replay of the fourth round,
16:05 and we saw it also in the third round,
16:07 and that is the body shots that Tanaka is throwing.
16:09 They are affecting Bakasegwa.
16:11 So as this fight progresses,
16:13 that could be something that Tanaka looks on
16:15 to rely on that investment to slow Bakasegwa down.
16:19 - Yeah, we saw how effective body shots can be
16:21 in that first fight with Riku Masuda
16:24 when he knocked out Jonas Sultan
16:25 with a straight left hand right to the liver in round one.
16:29 - Round five underway here
16:30 in our Super Flyweight Championship fight.
16:32 Kosei Tanaka in the black and green trunks.
16:36 Rocky Bakasegwa representing Mexico
16:39 in the white, red, and green.
16:41 It's been a spirited matchup so far.
16:44 Bakasegwa's awkward style frustrating Tanaka.
16:48 Tanaka trying to get distance with that jab,
16:51 but also doing a good job of investing to the body.
16:54 - Yeah, I mean, it's very smart of him to do
16:56 because Bakasegwa's been targeting his body
16:57 since round one.
16:59 He's landed some really nice left hooks down there.
17:00 So when a guy starts banging you in the body,
17:02 you want to get him back for it.
17:03 - And one thing we have to talk about, Chris,
17:15 this is Rocky Bakasegwa's first fight
17:18 in the World Championship.
17:19 This is Rocky Bakasegwa's first title fight.
17:23 And Kosei Tanaka is nine and one
17:27 with five KOs in World Championship fights.
17:29 So there's a huge difference at the championship level,
17:32 but you wouldn't know that watching this fight.
17:34 - No, not at all.
17:35 I mean, Bakasegwa looks very, very motivated here.
17:37 He's giving out a tremendous effort.
17:39 This is his first title fight and he's acting like it
17:41 because he wants to leave Japan with a world champion.
17:45 - Possibly a cut, yeah, we got blood.
17:48 - Big cut open there.
17:50 - Yeah, their heads were coming together quite a bit.
17:52 Obvious accidental headbutt there.
17:57 Let's see how bad the cut is.
17:59 Look potentially to be, yeah, it's above the eyebrow.
18:06 That'll make things ugly,
18:08 but I don't think it will stop the fight.
18:14 Unless it gets worse.
18:15 - And if you're Christian Bakasegwa,
18:17 you might be saying, this is my first world title fight,
18:19 I'm having success.
18:20 That's the last thing you need
18:21 is a cut to be opened up from an accidental headbutt.
18:23 - Actually, not necessarily,
18:24 'cause if we go to the scorecards right now,
18:26 I mean, Bakasegwa could walk out of here world champion
18:29 because that was an accidental headbutt,
18:31 so we would go to the scorecards.
18:33 He would score however much of the round
18:35 that's been fought or when it was stopped.
18:38 And then, you know, in a shortened contest,
18:41 it could very easily be a Bakasegwa win tonight.
18:44 - That's a good point, Chris.
18:45 We saw some body work there a moment ago from Tanaka.
18:49 Now, it did look like a few times
18:51 some of those shots were low.
18:53 It's hard to know exactly
18:54 because you see the trunks of Bakasegwa
18:56 are a little bit higher up,
18:58 so that's gonna be a call for the referee,
19:00 Benz Kovacs here.
19:02 - Yeah, excellent point there.
19:03 And that's another thing.
19:04 It's not quite objective
19:05 'cause everyone's body type is different
19:07 depending on where their hips and navel is.
19:08 And a lot of times, refs have different body types.
19:11 A lot of times, refs have different ideas
19:13 of where they say low is,
19:14 but those look really high to me.
19:16 So punches on the belt line
19:18 look like they should be legal.
19:20 Ooh, good body work on the inside from both men.
19:24 - Tanaka landing those right hands
19:26 on the belt line of Bakasegwa,
19:28 definitely getting his attention.
19:30 - And you see renewed effort here from Bakasegwa.
19:34 He understands the thing,
19:35 exactly what I was talking about earlier.
19:36 If this fight is to be stopped,
19:38 every second counts.
19:40 (crowd chanting)
19:42 - A little surprise in Tanaka's effort today.
19:54 He looks a little bit flat.
19:56 Maybe it's just like we keep talking about,
19:58 the awkwardness and the aggressiveness of Bakasegwa.
20:00 He's putting up a very spirited effort
20:02 and seems to have handcuffed Tanaka.
20:04 (bell ringing)
20:06 - You saw the body language there of Kosei Tanaka.
20:09 (dramatic music)
20:12 (dramatic music)
20:15 (dramatic music)
20:18 (upbeat music)
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20:58 - Bravo, bravo.
20:59 - Top.
21:00 - No shame in losing to Ioko,
21:01 who's another phenomenal champion.
21:03 - Since that loss, Tanaka has been 4-0.
21:07 Of course, one day down the line is looking for a rematch.
21:10 But before that, he's got to get through
21:12 a very motivated Rocky Bakasegwa,
21:15 who's fighting in his first world title fight,
21:17 but definitely not acting like
21:18 it's his first world title fight.
21:20 - There's that uppercut we spoke about earlier.
21:22 I would assume that Tanaka's corner is telling him
21:27 that he really needs to pick it up here.
21:29 That cut over the eye, it's not in a great place.
21:34 The blood seemed to be under control,
21:35 but you gotta keep that in mind,
21:38 no matter what, this fight could end at any moment.
21:40 And we're gonna go to the scorecards,
21:41 'cause that was an accidental headbutt.
21:44 Good body shot there from Tanaka.
21:45 Very tricky shots there.
21:46 Good work on the inside, letting those hands go.
21:49 - Here comes Kosei Tanaka, throwing in combination.
21:54 And having success to the body.
21:57 - Oh, man, these guys, this turned into
21:59 a phone booth body shot war, back and forth,
22:02 inside, inside fighting, beautiful stuff.
22:05 - And Tanaka, at one point there,
22:07 landed four right hands to the body of Bakasegwa.
22:12 You mentioned phone booth fight, Chris,
22:21 I mean, they're shoulder to shoulder,
22:23 just throwing hard power shots.
22:28 - Yeah, Tanaka's making a stand this round.
22:30 He's trying to show him, listen, I'm the stronger man,
22:32 I don't care how aggressive you are.
22:34 You've been landing body shots, but mine are harder.
22:37 Let's exchange, I'm gonna win.
22:39 - Halfway through this round six, he's making his stand,
22:43 and also, Chris, to your point about the headbutt,
22:45 he doesn't want it necessarily to go to the scorecard,
22:47 so he's decided that he has to be aggressive right now.
22:50 - Oh, absolutely, and if I was his corner,
22:52 I would be telling him that.
22:53 And it seems like they are, 'cause he has been
22:54 picking it up round after round, since round three.
22:57 - Vicious left hand to the body,
23:03 got through for Tanaka, and again.
23:06 (crowd cheering)
23:08 Definitely getting the attention of Rocky Bakasegwa.
23:11 - And we've mentioned that, Bakasegwa,
23:15 never been down, never been stopped.
23:18 You know, obviously he has a good chin,
23:20 but Tanaka is really targeting the body,
23:22 so he either knows something, that's one thing,
23:24 Kerr, when you're in a fight, and you hit a guy to the body,
23:27 he may not show it, but a lot of times you can hear them.
23:30 You can hear the breath they're saying,
23:31 you can hear them whimpers as you attack the rib cage.
23:35 So Tanaka may be actually understanding or perceiving
23:38 that these punches are hurting more
23:39 than we can actually see.
23:41 - And we can see the difference
23:42 in Bakasegwa's fighting style right now.
23:44 Less movement, less head movement,
23:46 less moving that lateral movement after a combination,
23:49 more leaning on Tanaka, right?
23:51 Almost getting a break, trying to get a breather.
23:53 - Yeah, he's actually falling forward a lot more,
23:55 since he's been eating up those body shots.
23:58 But also, that's gonna open up shots to the head as well.
24:00 Good left hook there for Bakasegwa upstairs.
24:04 Tanaka would be smart to keep going
24:06 upstairs and downstairs now.
24:07 - Really fascinating title fight here.
24:12 The vacant WBO Super Flyweight Championship belt
24:16 is on the line, and both men are fighting
24:20 as if it is hungry for a championship belt.
24:25 - See, this is that combination punching
24:28 that I was talking about from Tanaka.
24:29 He knew that he affected Bakasegwa
24:31 with that right uppercut to the solar plexus.
24:33 You saw him buckle over, and then Tanaka
24:35 just let those hands go, ripping those
24:37 beautiful combinations.
24:38 When he has his balance, cuts that angle.
24:40 When he lets those hands go offensively,
24:42 it's a beautiful thing to see.
24:45 Sound fundamentals, good footwork,
24:47 but then here comes Rocky, swinging back with big bombs.
24:50 Cannot knock the effort of Bakasegwa tonight.
24:54 He does not wanna leave here without that belt.
24:56 - Tanaka's fluidity, something to look at,
25:01 but Bakasegwa landing power shots in between those punches.
25:04 - You know, Tanaka almost seems like
25:06 he tries to be too perfect.
25:08 You can't really do that with a guy like this
25:09 who's coming in front of you, who's throwing big bombs
25:11 the way that Bakasegwa is.
25:13 - And Tanaka started this round
25:16 with a lightning quick left hook,
25:18 and some power jabs that get through.
25:30 - I think the story of this fight is really
25:31 the effort and the durability of Bakasegwa,
25:34 and then just Tanaka just being able to find his rhythm
25:37 and let his hands go, and honestly,
25:38 I think he just needs to bite down and fight.
25:41 He had good success last round when he did that.
25:43 He made it a phone booth fight, was targeting the body.
25:48 Had great success, probably the best round of the fight
25:49 for him so far.
25:50 - We mentioned the success that Tanaka has had to the body.
25:56 We see it there again.
25:58 Now, Tanaka is allowing Bakasegwa to lean on him
26:02 and fight in a phone booth style like we talked about.
26:05 Chris, would you recommend that, or would you say,
26:07 "Hey, Tanaka, you're hurting him to the body,
26:08 so now why don't you use your movement, your length,
26:11 and try to have a different game plan
26:13 as this fight progresses?"
26:14 - It seems like whenever there's some distance,
26:16 Tanaka just seems a little too slow.
26:18 He's looking to set things up too much.
26:20 He's thinking too much,
26:21 and Bakasegwa's not allowing him to.
26:22 So I think staying on the inside's not a bad idea,
26:25 but he should vary up the attack.
26:26 He's having an effect on the body,
26:29 and you're starting to see Bakasegwa bend over,
26:32 lean for shot, try to block with his elbows.
26:34 That's when he should target upstairs.
26:35 Trick him, go low, go high.
26:37 So far, it's been all body work.
26:40 - Tanaka started the fight jabbing to the head and upstairs.
26:45 The last four or five rounds have been a consistent attack
26:48 to the body.
26:49 - Got blood from the nose of Tanaka.
26:53 - He's got to get up.
26:54 - He's got to get up.
26:55 - He's got to get up.
26:56 - He's got to get up.
26:57 - He's got to get up.
26:58 - He's got to get up.
27:00 - He's got to get up.
27:01 - He's got to get up.
27:02 - He's got to get up.
27:03 - He's got to get up.
27:04 - He's got to get up.
27:05 - He's got to get up.
27:06 - He's got to get up.
27:07 - He's got to get up.
27:08 - He's got to get up.
27:09 - He's got to get up.
27:10 - He's got to get up.
27:11 - He's got to get up.
27:12 - He's got to get up.
27:13 - He's got to get up.
27:14 - He's got to get up.
27:15 - He's got to get up.
27:16 - He's got to get up.
27:17 - He's got to get up.
27:18 - He's got to get up.
27:19 - He's got to get up.
27:20 - He's got to get up.
27:21 - He's got to get up.
27:22 - He's got to get up.
27:23 - He's got to get up.
27:24 - He's got to get up.
27:25 - He's got to get up.
27:26 - He's got to get up.
27:27 - He's got to get up.
27:28 - He's got to get up.
27:29 - He's got to get up.
27:30 - He's got to get up.
27:31 - He's got to get up.
27:32 - He's got to get up.
27:33 - He's got to get up.
27:34 - He's got to get up.
27:35 - He's got to get up.
27:36 - He's got to get up.
27:37 - He's got to get up.
27:38 - He's starting to get sloppier and sloppier.
27:40 He's falling in, bending over that lead foot.
27:44 - And it doesn't matter who you are.
27:45 It doesn't matter if you're Rocky.
27:47 There's only so many of those hard power shots to the body
27:50 that one human can absorb.
27:51 - Yeah, and Tanaka's a good puncher.
27:53 Like we had mentioned at the top, he's got 19 KO's
27:55 and has 19 wins--
27:56 I'm sorry, he has 11 KO's and has 19 wins.
27:58 So he's not a feather-fisted guy.
28:00 - We close round seven.
28:06 And maybe the tide changing here a little.
28:09 [beep]
28:10 [beep]
28:11 [music playing]
28:13 [music playing]
28:14 - Yes!
28:15 [music playing]
28:18 [music playing]
28:21 [music playing]
28:24 - Five minutes, fellas. Five minutes.
28:25 - I appreciate it, man.
28:26 - OK, you getting that bet in before the boom, huh?
28:28 - Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. LA all the way.
28:30 - What?
28:31 Oh, come on, man.
28:31 You know it's Boston, baby.
28:32 - KG, I don't understand why you said it, but it's LA.
28:34 - J, are you serious?
28:35 - You know what? It's LA.
28:36 - Why are you standing up?
28:37 - Because it's LA.
28:38 LA-- you know what?
28:40 You ain't scaring me.
28:41 Let me tell you something.
28:42 - That ain't enough.
28:43 - It's Boston.
28:44 Boston.
28:44 Boston.
28:45 - It's LA.
28:46 LA.
28:46 [music playing]
28:50 [music playing]
28:53 [music playing]
28:54 - The Stanley Cup fight on ABC and EF.
28:58 - Or you just hear them.
28:59 You hear a whimper.
29:00 You hear the breath expel out of their lungs.
29:04 So there's a lot of ways that you can perceive a body shot
29:06 that we might not be able to from here.
29:10 - I'm sure Kosei Tanaka has had that feeling a couple times
29:13 in this world championship fight.
29:15 Round eight underway.
29:17 Both men know what this means.
29:19 Bakasegawa getting his first opportunity
29:22 to win a world championship.
29:23 And Kosei Tanaka fighting for history
29:27 to become a four-division world champion.
29:29 - Yeah, it seems like these last couple rounds,
29:33 Tanaka's really woken up.
29:34 I think he was just a little bit overwhelmed early on
29:40 with the aggressiveness, the effort,
29:43 and the efficiency of Bakasegawa early on.
29:46 - And remember, both of these fighters promised pressure,
29:48 promised aggression.
29:50 Neither wanted to walk out of here with a decision victory.
29:53 And I think it's a testament to the toughness of both men
29:56 that there hasn't been a moment like that,
29:58 because both of these guys are fighting their A game now.
30:00 - Yeah, I've been mentioning the Japanese warrior spirit.
30:02 Tanaka's really showing that.
30:04 Oh, beautiful uppercut there on the inside from Tanaka.
30:07 Pops the head back of Bakasegawa.
30:09 [shouting]
30:12 [music playing]
30:15 [shouting]
30:18 - OK, stop.
30:19 Stop.
30:20 [shouting]
30:23 - You can see Tanaka now starting
30:25 to pick Bakasegawa apart in that middle distance.
30:28 There's that uppercut again.
30:30 - Quick right hand followed by a quick left.
30:33 And Kosei Tanaka taking advantage of possible fatigue
30:37 from Bakasegawa as both fighters get tangled up there.
30:41 - Fatigue plus weakening from those body shots
30:44 that he's getting hit with.
30:45 Bakasegawa's body has been under full onslaught
30:49 for the past three rounds.
30:52 - And it will be really interesting to see
30:53 how this fight plays out, because we mentioned
30:55 this is Bakasegawa's first world championship fight.
30:58 And of course, we know world championship fights, 12 rounds,
31:01 that could be a very big difference.
31:03 The fatigue, the amount of energy you can expend,
31:06 that could make a big difference as the fight goes along.
31:08 - Oh, absolutely.
31:09 And you mentioned how much experience Tanaka has
31:11 at the highest level in world championship fights.
31:13 He's really building.
31:14 We're in the eighth round now,
31:15 and he's actually upped his output
31:17 and doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.
31:20 - Tanaka's fought 10 times at the championship level.
31:23 (crowd cheering)
31:26 - Ooh, good body shot again.
31:39 Buckles Bakasegawa.
31:41 - Oh, the head shots are starting to have an effect.
31:43 - And here comes Kosei Tanaka.
31:47 Oh, that's gonna be ruled a knockdown.
31:49 Combinations from Tanaka.
31:51 They got tangled up.
31:52 Bakasegawa's glove touched the canvas.
31:54 That's gonna be ruled a knockout.
31:56 - No argument for Bakasegawa either.
31:58 Ooh, yeah, we mentioned a tie, possibly a turn.
32:04 I think we're seeing that.
32:06 - Huge round eight for Kosei Tanaka.
32:10 We were waiting for a signature moment from either man,
32:13 and Kosei Tanaka scores the first knockdown in this fight.
32:18 10-8 round here.
32:19 - And very telling body language from--
32:22 Ooh, there we go.
32:23 Bakasegawa as he walked back to his corner.
32:25 A lot of times when those body shots start to affect you,
32:28 it makes your chin weaker.
32:30 - I'm surprised they call that a knockdown, actually.
32:34 A little bit of a push-off from Tanaka.
32:36 - Both men got tangled up.
32:38 Buckled him over, and then bang, big right hand.
32:41 Right hand again over the top.
32:42 Another right hand.
32:45 But here, notice, like, yeah, I don't believe that should
32:47 have been called a knockdown.
32:49 Yes, he was getting hit with big shots.
32:51 Yes, he actually may have been dropped or stopped
32:52 moments after that.
32:54 The ref actually gave Bakasegawa a rest,
32:57 but I would not have called that a knockdown.
32:59 - It was an interesting moment because Tanaka
33:01 was having so much success with the power punches
33:03 as Bakasegawa comes forward, and then his glove
33:06 touches the canvas, but at the same time,
33:08 Tanaka, in a way, was tangled up.
33:10 So you really never know.
33:11 It's the referee's discretion.
33:13 Bence Kovacs, the referee, decided
33:15 that that was a knockdown.
33:16 Either way, it was going to be a Tanaka round.
33:19 And it does seem like Kosei Tanaka,
33:21 as we enter some of these championship rounds,
33:24 may be more prepared for that.
33:25 10 championship fights under his belt.
33:28 - You see a total difference now.
33:29 Tanaka is taking charge at mid-range.
33:32 He's been able to counter the Bakasegawas.
33:34 He's gotten a little bit slower.
33:35 I think those body shots adding up,
33:37 and also the fact that he got hurt to the head last round
33:39 was having a major effect on him.
33:40 And I mentioned the body language of Bakasegawa
33:43 as he's walking back to his corner.
33:45 He's not looking like a happy camper in there.
33:47 Big shots from Tanaka to start round nine.
33:51 - Two right hands got through for Kosei Tanaka.
33:55 [crowd chanting]
34:00 And it's been a continued and sustained attack
34:02 to the body from Tanaka,
34:04 but now he's adding combinations
34:06 at the end of those body shots to the head.
34:08 So he's increasing the output here.
34:11 - He's climbing the body, starting in the body work,
34:13 working his way up to upstairs.
34:14 And a lot of times you got a guy who's got a good chin.
34:16 Weaken him down low to the body first.
34:18 Soften him up.
34:19 Then go back upstairs.
34:21 That's exactly what Tanaka's doing, textbook stuff.
34:24 [crowd chanting]
34:30 [crowd chanting]
34:35 - Halfway through this round nine,
34:39 Kosei Tanaka varying the attack, switching it up.
34:43 Chris, we've seen a lot of jabs upstairs.
34:46 We've seen a lot of uppercuts and hooks to the body.
34:49 We haven't seen as many straight right hands
34:51 to the head from Kosei Tanaka.
34:52 Maybe that's something he's going to add
34:53 in these final few rounds.
34:55 - Yeah, I think at that middle distance range,
34:56 that's where he can find it.
34:57 He just has not been so precise with that punch just yet.
35:02 Again, trying to find the awkward timing of Bakasegawa
35:05 has been tough for Tanaka.
35:07 But like you said, on the inside, he's been fantastic.
35:11 The body work, the jabs have been consistent since early on.
35:16 - And two straight right hands did get through
35:18 for Kosei Tanaka.
35:20 - Good right hand.
35:21 It was a good right hand over the top.
35:22 - It seems like he's at that distance now to throw it.
35:24 - Yeah, that middle distance now,
35:25 he's starting to be very precise.
35:27 - And we have to give credit here to Rocky Bakasegawa.
35:35 We mentioned the nickname.
35:37 If you take that nickname, you have to fight like it.
35:39 And credit to him, he's still coming forward.
35:41 He's still doing everything he can to affect Kosei Tanaka,
35:44 to work the body, continue on his own game plan.
35:47 - Oh, absolutely.
35:48 I mean, it's been a sustained effort from Rocky.
35:50 But you're starting to see the class of these two separating
35:55 as Tanaka is starting to pick up the pace.
35:58 Body work, middle distance work,
36:00 the jab has been consistent, cutting angles.
36:03 Nice body shot there.
36:05 - Beautiful movement.
36:07 To--
36:08 [beep]
36:09 [music playing]
36:12 [music playing]
36:13 - Yes!
36:14 [music playing]
36:17 [music playing]
36:20 [music playing]
36:22 [music playing]
36:23 [music playing]
36:26 [music playing]
36:29 [music playing]
36:32 [music playing]
36:35 [music playing]
36:38 [music playing]
36:41 [music playing]
36:44 [music playing]
36:47 [music playing]
36:50 [music playing]
36:53 [music playing]
36:55 - We're building a better postal service.
36:57 All parts working in--
36:58 [beep]
36:59 [speaking japanese]
37:02 - Round 10.
37:03 [bell dings]
37:04 - Round 10 underway here in the WBO Super Flyweight
37:10 Championship fight.
37:11 Kosei Tanaka in the black and green trunks.
37:14 Rocky Bakasegawa in the white, green, and red.
37:18 And seemingly, Kosei Tanaka has the momentum advantage
37:23 as we enter the championship rounds here, Chris.
37:25 - Absolutely.
37:26 He's been there before.
37:26 You can see that here.
37:27 He's picking his spots.
37:29 He looks like he's actually setting down
37:30 and trying to throw harder punches.
37:32 He said he wants the knockout tonight.
37:33 And you can see him going for it here.
37:36 - Tanaka said he doesn't want an anticlimactic finish.
37:39 Wants to get the KO.
37:40 [speaking japanese]
37:44 - I was going to say, that's one thing
37:46 I would prefer to see Tanaka do on the inside,
37:49 is be a little more physical.
37:51 A lot of times, he just kind of ties you up
37:53 and waits for the break.
37:55 When you got a guy like Bakasegawa,
37:57 who's going to be working in there,
37:58 the ref's not going to break him.
38:00 He's going to allow that man to work.
38:03 - And you want to see him spin out like he did right there,
38:05 right?
38:06 - Yeah, I mean, he's got such good footwork.
38:07 He can make those moves.
38:09 And he can also open up opportunities for his offense
38:10 off of that movement.
38:12 So why not?
38:12 [speaking japanese]
38:17 - Yeah, you can see Tanaka.
38:19 He feels very comfortable.
38:21 He's in control at this point.
38:24 He's picking his spots beautifully.
38:25 That was a nice counter-uppercut.
38:28 Right to the bread basket, looking for those big punches.
38:31 I like how Tanaka punches with his opponent.
38:40 It's not a you-go-I-go type fight.
38:43 He punches in the middle.
38:44 That's a very dangerous counter-puncher.
38:47 - Punching between punches and a sustained body attack
38:52 have been the keys for Tanaka in the second half of this fight.
38:56 In a way, Chris, it's been almost a tale of two fights,
38:58 first half and second half.
39:00 And Kosei Tanaka just changing up the game plan,
39:03 going to the body, using more movement.
39:05 And also, at the same time, Baka Segawa
39:07 slowing down a little bit, a little bit of fatigue
39:10 setting in because of that attack.
39:11 - Yeah, and this is why championship fights are
39:13 contested over 12 rounds, because you
39:15 get to see over time how the cream rises to the top.
39:20 And we're seeing that here in this fight.
39:21 Tanaka is just a more skilled fighter.
39:24 He's got more tools in the tool chest.
39:27 And he's been using them and putting them on display.
39:29 - Beautiful combinations there for Kosei Tanaka.
39:42 Quick left hands followed by a right.
39:45 And three straight right hands get through for Kosei Tanaka.
39:49 - Yeah, two rounds ago, Curran, you had said,
39:50 he's not really getting that right hand in there.
39:52 You notice how he's changed the trajectory on those punches.
39:54 He's made them more chopping shots, much shorter.
39:57 Now he can't miss.
39:58 And there's another one.
40:00 And another.
40:01 You know, I don't think we're giving enough credit
40:05 to the Tanaka jab.
40:07 That's one thing that was consistent from round number
40:09 one.
40:10 He was trying to find that jab.
40:11 He started landing more and more.
40:12 And a lot of his offense comes off that jab from what
40:14 I've seen from past fights.
40:16 And we're also seeing that, too.
40:17 It's very subtle.
40:18 But he does build off that jab.
40:20 There we see a nice one-two over the top.
40:21 Goes back to the jab and another right hand.
40:24 - We called for the uppercut earlier in this fight.
40:27 Kosei Tanaka started throwing that.
40:30 Then we mentioned the right hand upstairs.
40:31 That also came into play.
40:33 So Kosei Tanaka, as you said, Chris,
40:35 using all of the tools in his tool belt.
40:38 - I feel like this corner might be on Twitter listening to us.
40:41 - Yeah.
40:42 - [laughs]
40:43 - And as we mentioned it, they start doing it.
40:45 - [speaking japanese]
40:48 [crowd shouting]
40:51 [crowd shouting]
40:54 [whistle blows]
40:56 [crowd shouting]
40:59 [crowd shouting]
41:02 - Round 11.
41:04 [bell dings]
41:05 - Round 11 underway.
41:08 It's been a competitive matchup.
41:10 Both of these fighters know what's at stake here.
41:12 Kosei Tanaka in the black and green trunks.
41:15 Rocky Bakasegwa in the white, green, and red.
41:19 And Kosei Tanaka now utilizing more movement,
41:23 getting out of the way.
41:25 Where Bakasegwa's having a harder time countering.
41:28 - Yeah, we're seeing the conditioning of Tanaka.
41:29 I mean, he's in phenomenal shape.
41:31 He would move this way, be this light on his feet,
41:34 be so defensively sound and counter
41:36 with these sharp shots here in round 11.
41:39 In a fight where these guys have been throwing a lot of leather,
41:41 this has been a high output fight from both men.
41:43 [crowd shouting]
41:46 - And we mentioned that Kosei Tanaka early on,
41:49 the output wasn't there.
41:50 We were attributing that to the awkwardness of Bakasegwa.
41:54 And that definitely was a big part of it.
41:56 But at the same time, it might have been Tanaka
41:58 saving his energy for later rounds
42:00 to do things like we're seeing here,
42:01 landing combinations to the head with both the left hand
42:04 and the right hand.
42:05 - You know, I would agree with you
42:06 if he didn't look so uncomfortable early on.
42:08 I do believe that he was surprised by Bakasegwa
42:11 and his aggressiveness
42:12 and how he was able to land the punches.
42:13 I don't think he expected to be hit as much as he was early on.
42:17 Bakasegwa was very smart with his tactics,
42:20 being aggressive, throwing those hands in combination
42:23 and targeting the body early on.
42:25 Problem is, he woke up a beast in Tanaka
42:27 who has now been taking control on the inside.
42:30 [crowd shouting]
42:31 - Another right hand to the head gets through for Tanaka.
42:35 [crowd shouting]
42:37 - We're seeing them start in that phone booth stance
42:39 and then now Tanaka taking that step back
42:41 just like he did right there,
42:43 getting in mid-range to throw either a body shot
42:46 or a right hand.
42:47 [crowd shouting]
42:48 - Yeah, those short, choppy right hands
42:50 at that middle distance have been really effective
42:52 these last couple rounds for Tanaka.
42:53 I love the way that he's been able to adjust his output,
42:56 adjust his offense because of who he has in front of him.
42:59 And as the fight has changed, he has adapted really well.
43:02 [crowd shouting]
43:06 [crowd shouting]
43:09 - So you said he's nine and one in world title fights, correct?
43:19 - Yes.
43:20 - So 50% of his professional career
43:21 has been a world title fight.
43:23 That's a very impressive stat.
43:25 - Tanaka has been a rising star.
43:27 He won his first world title
43:28 in only his fifth professional fight.
43:30 [crowd shouting]
43:33 - And now we're seeing those skills on display here.
43:36 This is a classic skill versus will fight tonight.
43:40 Bakasegwa, nicknamed Rocky,
43:43 tons of will, tons of effort.
43:46 - Tons of heart.
43:48 - Tons of heart.
43:49 But the skill and the adaptation from Tanaka
43:52 has been super impressive,
43:54 not to mention the conditioning,
43:56 the punching power, the body work.
43:58 [crowd shouting]
44:01 And the ability to overcome that storm early on,
44:06 especially the awkwardness, the output.
44:09 [dramatic music]
44:12 ♪ ♪
44:15 [crowd cheering]
44:18 ♪ ♪
44:22 [upbeat music]
44:25 ♪ ♪
44:32 [upbeat music]
44:42 - Tito?
44:43 - Yeah.
44:45 ♪ ♪
44:50 School isn't gonna be easy.
44:52 - I know.
44:54 ♪ ♪
44:56 - But I've been--
44:58 - Round 12.
44:59 Round 12.
45:02 Last round.
45:03 - Mutual respect between both men.
45:05 Saw a smile there from Tanaka.
45:08 - Round 12 underway.
45:10 The final round of our super flyweight championship
45:13 by Karen Batia on the call with Chris Algieri.
45:17 Kosei Tanaka, he was a champion at minimum weight,
45:20 a champion at junior flyweight,
45:22 a champion at flyweight,
45:24 and now has an opportunity to become only the third man
45:27 from Japan to be a four-division world champion
45:31 if he can get through tough Rocky Bakasegwa here.
45:34 [crowd shouting]
45:37 [whistle blows]
45:39 - Right hand on the top.
45:41 [crowd shouting]
45:44 [crowd shouting]
45:47 [crowd shouting]
45:50 [crowd shouting]
45:53 - Quick left hook gets through for Tanaka.
45:57 - And I mentioned they're fighting for the WBO
45:58 super fly title, which is the title that
46:02 Tanaka was fighting for when he lost his only loss to Ioka.
46:07 So this would be a redemption to then get this belt tonight
46:11 against a very tough, very game Bakasegwa.
46:14 [crowd shouting]
46:17 [crowd shouting]
46:20 [crowd shouting]
46:23 [crowd shouting]
46:26 [crowd shouting]
46:30 - Halfway through this final round,
46:35 Kosei Tanaka has upped the output, upped the pace,
46:41 utilized movement, body work, left hands,
46:43 right hands upstairs.
46:44 There's another two right hands get through from Tanaka
46:49 to the head of Bakasegwa.
46:51 - Beautiful work here in round 12.
46:53 He had mentioned how he wanted a climactic finish.
46:55 He's going for it here.
46:57 [crowd shouting]
47:00 But man, if you're going to take the nickname Rocky,
47:03 you've got to love to.
47:04 And I think Bakasegwa really has tonight.
47:05 He has shown superb toughness, will, and heart for days.
47:11 - Absolutely.
47:12 Even the knockdown in round eight could have been contested.
47:16 Bakasegwa is definitely as tough as they come,
47:19 has not made this an easy opportunity for Kosei
47:23 Tanaka to reach history.
47:24 [crowd shouting]
47:28 - Certainly not.
47:29 He's given his all.
47:30 But in my eyes, just not enough tonight.
47:33 Tanaka just too sharp, too clean, too skilled.
47:37 [crowd shouting]
47:40 [crowd shouting]
47:43 [crowd shouting]
47:47 - 15 seconds to go for Kosei Tanaka.
47:50 He said he wanted a knockout.
47:52 We've seen that warrior spirit on display
47:54 in this final round already.
47:55 [crowd shouting]
47:58 [crowd shouting]
48:02 [crowd shouting]
48:04 - Nice action-packed fight with good two-way action
48:06 throughout.
48:07 [crowd shouting]
48:10 Plenty of storylines in this fight tonight.
48:12 [crowd shouting]
48:14 - And no matter what, we have to give credit
48:17 to Rocky Bakasegwa for that performance
48:20 in your first title fight.
48:22 Most likely, Kosei Tanaka won the second half of that fight.
48:26 And more, he also scored a knockdown.
48:28 So tremendous performance from Kosei Tanaka.
48:31 But he's been there before in terms of the world championship
48:34 level, right?
48:35 He's been there 10 times before.
48:36 That was the first time Kosei Tanaka--
48:38 that's the first time Rocky Bakasegwa fought outside
48:40 of Mexico and fought in a world title fight.
48:43 - And honestly, it's the best I've ever seen him.
48:45 From the tapes that I've watched,
48:47 this was the most complete I've seen Bakasegwa.
48:49 And he was sustained for 12 rounds.
48:52 Very, very solid effort.
48:54 Again, tons of will, tons of heart.
48:57 But in my eyes, my scorecard, not enough tonight.
49:01 But he definitely shouldn't hang his head in shame.
49:04 He fought a fantastic fight against a great champion.
49:08 - And we have to also give praise to the adjustments made
49:12 by Kosei Tanaka.
49:14 And that included more movement, included
49:17 finding a home for the right hand.
49:18 And the biggest thing of all was that consistent attack
49:21 to the body.
49:22 - Yeah, absolutely.
49:23 I mean, when this fight started out,
49:25 Bakasegwa was very aggressive to the body.
49:27 And it seems like Tanaka was like, oh,
49:29 if you can hit me in the body, I'm
49:30 going to hit you to the body.
49:31 I'm going to hit you harder and more.
49:32 And he did.
49:33 And it opened up a lot of shots for him upstairs
49:36 as the fight wore on.
49:38 And really, it slowed Bakasegwa down just enough
49:41 so Tanaka could make those adaptations and take control.
49:43 - We have a 12-out-of-12 rounds of action.
49:45 We go to the scorecards.
49:46 The judges are in agreement.
49:48 We have a unanimous decision.
49:51 Judge Bringside, Donald Trella, scores about 116 to 111.
49:58 Patrick Russell sees it 117 to 110.
50:03 And Soi Kratang scores about 119 to 108,
50:09 all three in favor of the winner.
50:13 He is now a four-division world champion.
50:16 The new WBO super flyweight champion of the world,
50:21 Kosei Tanaka!
50:24 [bell ringing]
50:30 Kosei Tanaka reaches rarefied air
50:33 as only the third man from Japan to become a four-division
50:39 world champion.