Emily DiDonato vs Amy Willerton

Emily DiDonato vs Amy Willerton
(Results: Lookout. Words: Wiz)

BEFORE:

Not a lot of hype needed for this blonde/brunette tilt, which features reigning Queen of the Beach and top lightweight and welterweight contender Amy Willerton stepping up to former JMDD and two-time Unified Lightweight Champion Emily DiDonato, who had the latter belts about five minutes ago. And, as you might imagine in a battle between fighters of this caliber, nobody's lacking confidence coming into this non-title bout. "Yes, Emily's a challenge for anyone. But, the fact is, I'm stronger, tougher, better. And, I'll prove it in the ring."

"I know what Amy's management is thinking," says a hard-eyed DiDo. "Now is the time to catch me, right after I lost the belts. What they DON'T know is that this is absolutely the WORST time to put their girl in the ring with me. And, after I WRECK her, maybe they'll realized that."

ROUND ONE:

The DiDo wrecking crew gets to work. She's got just a bit of reach here, and the brunette uses it early, setting up at range and getting her box on. The British blonde tries to work the angles, but the brunette's having none of it. She's got the geometry she wants, and she's enforcing it with the left hand. Until she isn't. Halfway through the round, the brunette begins coming forward behind the jab, backing up a surprised Amy. Willerton's trying to hold canvas and bang back, but, no dice. Emily's getting the jab on, following with hard rights, forcing the blonde back, back, back. Amy manages to land some solid counters, but, at the bell, DiDo's taken it wide to lead 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

DiDo back to range, and Willerton willing to fight on these terms. Blonde is making subtle adjustments with footwork and head movement, finding ways to get to her spots and get off. Meanwhile, the brunette's continuing to score well with both hands, boxing cleverly. Result is a good, two-way round with both fighters getting comfortable and getting work done. There's no real advantage gained as the round goes on. It's a nip-and-tuck affair that remains in doubt until the final seconds. Both veterans turn up the heat late, trying to make a good final impression on the judges, but, at the bell, the margin is razor-thin. It's Willerton who claims the points, though, and evens things at 19.


ROUND THREE:

Same again. And, for purists, this is great stuff. What you have here is two Top Ten bigs, both with top-level boxing skills, showing out against one another. And, all the elements are there. Jabs to set up right hands. Feints along with head and foot movement, all designed to create openings which are then filled by hard, accurate leather. Excellent counter-punching. And great defense, with punches being slipped and blocked, all while tons of leather flies through the air. Again, there's not much in it the whole way, and, again, both blonde and brunette turn on the jets late to try to create separation, but it's, once again, a near thing, with the brunette taking the points this time to lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Ranged boxing continues, and both fighters continue to have succ...BOOM! Right hand, DIDO and AMY IS HURT! Willerton's ALL WOBBLY BUTT and Emily is ALL IN! Brunette beauty tossing bombs like an anarchist, backing up the blonde and trapping her on the ropes. Then, DiDo calls in the artillery. There's fire coming from everywhere as Amy hangs on in a high, tight guard. Brunette goes body, digging tummy and ribs, then back upstairs looking to finish this thing. Willerton defending well, however, jabbing back in spots, keeping the referee at bay. At the bell, DiDonato's taken the round wide to lead 39-37, but Willerton has escaped a VERY sticky situation.

ROUND FIVE:

DiDonato pressing forward behind that jab. She's aggressive but sound in backing Willerton up with hard right hands...BOOM! Right hand counter AMY and DiDonato is HURT! Blonde quickly over to the offensive. Brunette backing and covering as Willerton gets off lusty looking to finish this thing. DiDo keeping the guard high, working hard to stay off the ropes, manages to do so until the final thirty seconds...when Willerton begins calling in her OWN artillery strikes. Blonde tossing everything but the kitchen sink at the brunette, trying to find the 'off' switch, but Emily keeps it hidden as the final seconds tick away. When the bell rings, Willerton has the points wide to cut the brunette's lead to 48-47, but this time it's Emily who's managed an escape.

ROUND SIX:

Now it's Amy pressing the advantage. DiDo in retreat, still looking buzzed. Blonde not throwing caution to any winds, however, as she's well aware of how dangerous DiDonato IS. Instead, it's clinical stuff, backing the brunette up behind the left jab, stepping in with hard right hands, piling up the points and punishm...BOOM! Right hand, AMY and DOWN GOES DIDO! Willerton to a neutral corner after blowing the brunette to her back! Things looking grim for Emily, but, somehow, she manages to rise at nine and take the mandatory. And. ON. COMES. AMY. She's committing on everything now, backing the reeling brunette to the ropes with brutally heavy fire. Ref looking in as DiDonato hangs on desperately in a tight ear muff. RIGHT HAND, AMY and Emily staggers along the ropes and IT'S OVER! The ref leaps in and it's OVER! And your winner by TKO6 is Amy Willerton!

AFTER:

Willerton puffy and scuffed but also triumphant. She's had plenty of big wins, of course, but this one is clearly her biggest at lightweight and she's more than a little pleased with herself. "She had me in some trouble, sure," Amy admits. "But, like I said, I'm stronger, tougher, better. It was only a matter of time until I got her. Only a matter of time."