Here, we reflect on RaSZi's second round demolition of ElkY in more detail, and argue that the fight is further evidence that poker's popularity transcends the green felt.

Unconvincing: ElkY

A sun-kissed Marbella backdrop was the scene for Tuesday's eagerly anticipated kickboxing duel between PokerStars pros Lex "RaSZi" Veldhuis and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier.

This wasn't the first brawl between poker pros - back in 2009 Theo Jorgensen defeated Gus Hansen in an all Danish boxing match.

Both players have risen to prominence on the back of their online exploits. Veldhuis has proven his cash game pedigree by starring on GSN's High Stakes Poker and The PokerStars Big Game, whereas Elky has established himself as one of the world's premier tournament players, raking in $8.4 million in winnings to go with his Triple Crown.

The fight had been two years in the making - difficulty obtaining a license and the fallout from Black Friday had scuppered previous attempts to stage the scrap. An initial bet of €50,000 euros was made between the two fighters, but side wagers probably meant the stakes were significantly higher.

ElkY, a former StarCraft pro and proud owner of a world record for playing the most online SnG's profitably, was keen to dispel the commonplace assertion that nerds can't fight. He saw the fight as an opportunity to abandon a sedentary lifestyle, and engaged in a rigorous combat training regime in the months leading up.

Having practicsed boxing on and off between the ages of 16 and 18, RaSZi was confident that his more athletic background would prove decisive. Rather than honing his striking skills, he focused on endurance training.

ElkY made an Iron Maiden themed entrance. Clad in a hooded black gown, he positioned himself in the centre of the ring in a cryptic, The Undertaker-esque pose. After RaSZi's defiant entrance stance, the Dutchman strode purposefully to the ring on the back of rapturous applause from his supporting entourage.

Victory for RaSZi, Victory for Poker

With his bleached blonde hair, ElkY resembled MMA legend Tito Ortiz. Sadly, his fighting skills didn't quite match. The Frenchman was completely outclassed by his wiry, gangly and more technically astute opponent. ElkY went in arms flailing, but his punches lacked venom and he soon ran out of steam. In fact, his strikes amounted to no more than feather light pats.

RaSZi upped the ante in the second round and felled the drained ElkY with a crisp head kick. ElkY got back on his feet courageously, but it was soon lights out as RaSZi landed another crunching kick. Veldhuis was magnanimous in victory, commenting "I've got a lot of respect for him because he stood up and came toward me again after that big hit".

RaSZi may now have the bragging rights in the PokerStars locker room, but the real winner was poker. Poker's popularity transcends the green felt. The game exudes showbiz, a celebrity culture, its own personality. With its glitz and glamour, scandals and controversies, debates and discussions, poker in many ways mirrors a sport.

Fifty years ago it was a game confined to seedy back alleys, deemed a social taboo. Now, it boasts its own culture and an international appeal.

The fight was filmed by Spanish TV, and has been the subject of forum gossip, not just in poker circles but StarCraft circles too, for days. Even the likes of Daniel Negreanu and Doyle Brunson were not shy of predicting the outcome and placing hefty wagers.

The fact that an event involving two poker players, yet completely non-poker related in its nature can capture the imagination of a community is testament to just how big poker has become.

In case you missed the fight, here it is in HD: