Charlize Theron versus Gabrielle Union

BEFORE:
Two of the longest-tenured members of the FCBA, but, amazingly, the pair have never shared a ring until tonight.

"I'm not sure why I was never on Theron's radar," says Gabrielle with a lovely smile. "But. She's going to find out that avoiding me was a good idea."

"She's still very athletic and in great shape," says Charlize. "Just the kind of girl I'm looking to fight in this phase of my career. But. Make no mistake. I'm taking her out of there."

ROUND ONE:
Theron wants to use the reach advantage. Setting up at range. Gabrielle not having it. Union legging, bouncing, pouncing forward for quick flurries, then getting out of town before Theron can respond. Brunette moving more like a 27-year-old than a woman three years away from 50. The hands are still quick, and the feet may be quicker. And, none of that is working for the GOAT, who's getting her face peppered with leather and, mostly, not doing much in response. Theron landing a jab here or there, a right on occasion, but it's all one-punch stuff. She's unable to locate Union well enough to put punches together. Instead, the brunette ranges the ring, scoring again and again as she stops to pop. By the time the bell rings, Gabrielle's pulled well away from the blonde, taking the round wide to lead 10-9.

ROUND TWO:
Theron changing things up. She's double-tapping the jab now, moving more, doing whatever she can to foul Union's efforts to pounce forward and land quick combinations, and those efforts are working. Gabrielle being held by the jab and her efforts to get inside that long, long reach to get off are being slowed by Charlize's movement. Result is that the GOAT is now able to get both the distance and tempo she wants, and that's a good thing for the blonde. What's NOT a good thing is that Union's own movement is still making it hard for the blonde to put punches together, so, while Charlize has a much better round in the second, she's still not able to take control of the thing. What she IS able to do is narrowly outpoint her rival, so, when the bell rings, Theron's taken the points and evened the fight at 19.

ROUND THREE:
Union bouncing, circling, picking off that jab, then pouncing forward to land a good combination. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. This is good stuff from Gabrielle, who's solved the double-tap jab and is now back in control of things. For her part, the GOAT is not hurt, but, again, she's getting her face powdered. And, she's also getting more than a little frustrated as Union, once again, is able to get to her spots and the blonde is STILL not able to put punches together. Theron resolute, continues working that long left hand, looking to find spots for the right behind it. But. She can't. Gabrielle's either not there or ready for the rejoinder, which she slips or blocks. By the final seconds of the round, Union's dancing, looking like anything but a 47-year old. At the bell, she's won the points wide to lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:
Theron looking to find with the left. Union still elusive. She's popping forward here and there, but mostly moving, circling, making Charlize work to find. She's managed to keep the blonde out of rhythm the entire fight, and, frankly, that's, perhaps, the best way of beating her. Theron still working hard, trying to get her offense going. But, it's still all single-punch stuff. Until. BOOM! Theron hold with the left and lands a BLISTERING right and Gabrielle is HURT! Union rumblin', stumblin', fumblin' around the ring and Charlize lets the hands go! NOW she can find the brunette and find her she DOES. DOWN. GOES. UNION! Gabrielle dropped sputtering to her back by a series of heavy shots. Theron quickly to a neutral corner. Union staring blankly up at the referee. Tries to sit up a couple of times but doesn't come close. It's OVER! And your winner by KO4 is Charlize Theron!

AFTER:
Theron smiling in the post. "I'd say I hope I can move like that when I'm HER age, but I can't move like that NOW. Sooner or later, though, I was going to find her, and the key was not making a mistake when I did. And. I didn't make one."