Kate Upton versus Romee Strijd (Queen of the Beach)

BEFORE:

Romee's a girl who's come into her own the last couple of years. After a middling start to her career, Strijd came into her own in the 2021 Diamond Boxing Tournament. No, she didn't win it, but she did win five fights and was competitive in losses to top shelfers like Kostek and Gillan. She followed that with a run to the semis in the Victoria's Secret tournament, then won five of six last year with the only loss coming to Rhoda. And, now, Romee has what's definitely the biggest opportunity of her career, a shot at Kate "The Great" Upton and her Queen of the Beach title. And, Strijd is clearly ready for same. "I can beat Kate," Romee says with a smile. "I know it, and, just as importantly, SHE knows it."

But, if the ten-time champion and Hall of Famer knows it, she's not letting on. "Romee's earned this shot," Kate admits. "But, she's not in my league and she's going to end up face down in the sand at my feet...as SO many others have."


ROUND ONE:

Kate aggressive early. Wants to step to Romee and bring all that power to bear. The younger blonde, however, is having none of it. Far from having issues moving in the sand, the Dutch beauty's gliding across the grains, snapping the jab into Kate's face, moving laterally very well, enforcing distance with the left and forcing ranged boxing. And, it's Strijd who's getting much more done on those terms, at least in part because Kate's trying to renegotiate, working hard to close and bang, all to no avail. Final minute sees Romee putting together some nice combinations that stop Upton in her tracks. Strijd sitting down on punches in those flurries, landing some sharp shots. At the bell, there's no question who's taken the points. It's Romee wide and with the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Upton slows down and, thereby, speeds things up. Instead of pouring forward on Strijd, the older blonde WORKS forward, closes, bangs to head and body. And, while Romee's able to have her moments at range where she wants to be getting her box on, now it's Kate who's getting her terms, backing the Dutch beauty up across the sand, punishing her with hard right hands, hooking to ribs and midsection, grinding away while building up a lead. Romee's working hard to get space, but Kate's a talented, crafty veteran, and she knows how to cut a ring and bring an opponent to battle, and, in the second, at least, those pitched battles are all won by the reigning Queen of the Beach. This, for the second round in a row, there's no question about the winner of the stanza. It's Upton wide and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Romee adjusts. Now, Strijd isn't just moving laterally, she's moving backward at times, too, all in an effort to get the space she wants. Again, the challenger is light-footed, gliding across the sand, bouncing on her toes, snapping out jabs to slow down the Queen. Upton, though, is still able to cut and bang, but only at times. When Kate's where she wants to be, or, more properly, when she has ROMEE where she wants HER to be, Upton's getting work done, thumping to head and body, scoring points in bunches. But, Strijd's able to shorten those exchanges now, mostly by tying up before either forcing a break or holding on long enough to slip away. Result is that Strijd gets a little more done than Kate, and, when the bell rings, Romee has the points and the 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

More of the same. Two-way stuff with Romee in control at range and Kate scoring when she's able to cut the ring and force heavy exchanges. Upton concentrating more on the body this frame, hooking ribs and tenderizing tummy. Romee's strategy the same when this happens, tie up, especially around the head, force the ref to break the two apart or slip away before Kate can get the hands going again. And, once again, that strategy works. The Dutch beauty keeps the heavy trades short and more than makes up for what Kate does inside with her own work on open sand, snapping the jab into Upton's face, following on with solid right hands, all while gliding along the beach, showing both quickness and athleticism. At the bell, Romee's done it again, taking the points and extending her lead to 39-37.

ROUND FIVE:

BOOM! Right off the opening bell, Upton lands a jab and follows with a NASTY right hand and ROMEE IS HURT! Strijd stumbles backward across the sand all WOBBLY BUTT and KATE'S ALL IN! Upton ALL OVER the Dutch beauty, winging away with both hands, driving her across the beach and into the ropes. Strijd, guard high, body on sale, hanging on. Kate? Buying. Like a mother of twelve at Bulk Club. She's HAMMERING away to ribs and tummy, hooking some rack while she's at it, PUNISHING the challenger while piling up points. Romee crouching, keeping the elbows tight, trying to protect her body as much as she can, but Kate's finding plenty of places to hammer with leather. Ref's looking in, but Strijd's doing just enough to keep him at bay. The bell is merciful. And, when it rings, Kate's pitched a shutout and cut the challenger's lead to 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Ref doesn't appear to have done Romee any favors. Strijd looking wobbly and reduced as Kate pours forward behind her left hand, walking the Dutch beauty down, dropping hard right hand after hard right hand on her. Younger blonde looking ready to go just seconds into the round, and Kate determined to aid in her going. Upton REEFING hard leather at Strijd, who does a nice job of blocking some of it, but doesn't have the legs to get off square let alone give Upton any trouble with movement. It seems inevitable. BOOM! Right hook, KATE and Romee crashes past Upton's left shoulder to nose into the sand at her feet! Kate raises her arms above her head and and bounces to a neutral corner. Strijd doesn't move at all as the count continues and then passes her by. She's down and out and it's OVER! And your winner by KO6 and STILL Queen of the Beach, Kate Upton!

AFTER:

Kate matter-of-fact in the post-fight. "Like I said, she deserved this shot. She EARNED this shot. But, she's not in my league. And, that's no knock on Romee. Because, NOBODY is."