This opening bout for AXS TV is celebrating the 250th fight show. Casey Parlett is making his debut against the 3-0 Josh Shepard. To quote Bas Rutten, “Someone’s ‘O’ has got to go.” Parlett begins aggressively with a couple of right crosses, pushing Shepard to the ropes, but Shepard answers with a right body kick of his own only to be rocked with a right hook. Parlett has come to fight showing Shepard little respect.
Josh Shepard blocks a right jab from Casey Parlett. Photo by Kevin Fenix.
Heading into the second round Shepard lets out a sigh before eating another right hook and being taken to the ground by Parlett. Shepard is showing resilience as he lands a right roundhouse kick to Parlett’s body. Parlett catches Shepard’s leg but is quickly eats a right cross. Parlett’s elbows have been connecting just enough to catch the judges eyes as the round comes to a close.
Shepard seems to be reinvigorated during the early parts of the third round, throwing blows in the clinch. No one is giving an inch. Shepard lands a right body kick that forces Parlett to stumble, but Parlett is able to grab Shepard’s kick and trip him to the ground. Both men finish strong as the third round comes to a close.
The fourth round is underway and Parlett and Shepard slips, but referee Steve Mazzagatti declared it a knock down, igniting a fire under Parlett and forcing Shepard to go on the offensive to make up for the Mazzagatti’s call. Shepard throws his hands up at Parlett after an exchange of kicks to say, “That’s all you got?” but shortly after the round comes to an end and we are going into the fifth and final round.
Play time is over and the combatants are standing toe-to-toe, each one appear to having won two rounds a piece. The crowd continues to irrupt as elbows and kicks are exchanged and neither fighter has let up. Shepard throws his hands up again telling Parlett, “Come on!” and yet again,
This first fight on the televised card goes to the judges and your winner by split decision is Casey Parlett
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