Nata Lee versus Saoirse Ronan

Results by Lookout

After going 1-7 in 2022, Ronan has not had many challenges of late. This is the first in six months, and her fans can only hope that she has not gone to rust like so many others have in the past. For Lee’s fans, they pray that the state of Russia does not reflect the state of their favored girl.

They are proven right in the first round but wrong in the second, as Nata takes the first by being aggressive, punching and brawling her way through the Irishwoman’s guard but leans too hard into that going into the second, allowing Saoirse to counter and take control. Both ladies are blonde and wearing white, so while Nata’s bikini is more revealing than Ronan’s sports bra and shorts are by far, it is hard to tell who is who as they dance around each other in a whirl of action.

Round three sees a more even exchange as Nata shores up her guard and Saoirse remains wary of the Russian’s aggressive style. This exchange of potshots from behind high walls has the audience bored, though, and in an effort to calm the crowd, the two ramp up the intensity towards the end of the round, getting up close with each other and slugging it out. The third round goes to Saoirse despite Nata’s protests that she had control and the round should be hers by rights.

Perhaps anger does have a function besides clouding judgment - it could make one fight with more power, as Nata demonstrates in round four to Ronan’s dismay. Lee blows past her guard with a stormy flurry, bringing the ire to the Ireland representative (despite being American-born), nearly taking her down with a hook to the cheek. But she refuses to be put down that easily and comes right back with a counter that almost takes Lee’s head off. Fortunately for both of them, the bell signals the end of the round before either can do anything. Each walks back to their corner angry and provoked.

Round five sees the utter abandonment of defense, perhaps signaling the coming end of the struggle as it did in 1918. Heads rocked left and right and up and down, fists flying everywhere, it is a miracle that a knockdown is not seen in round five. But despite the powerful and reckless punches exchanged, neither falls. They return battered but standing to their corners at the end of the round. Ronan takes this round much to Nata’s chagrin.

Nata is savage going into round six, not giving Ronan an inch as she presses her opponent back. Despite her opponent’s mightiness, Saoirse remains standing and fighting until the third minute when she catches a wayward blow to the chin, knocking her out cold. The ref does the count, but it is courtesy by this point as she does not stir until well past the ten count.

Winner: Nata Lee via KO6!

Post-Match: Lee is jubilant, giving no thought to the fallen Irishwoman as she climbs out of the ring joyfully to embrace the mysterious owner of her stable. With a 50% win rate, she has a fair stretch to go before being able to count herself amongst the greats, but the matter is not if but when.