Kennedy McMann versus Kaley Cuoco

BEFORE:

Quite a bit at stake here and an "under the radar" way. Kaley, of course, is a four-time champion at two weights and a Hall of Famer. Her legacy is secured. But, she's also 37 and has seen her biggest rival and several of the other girls she had epic bouts against either retire or fade into the background. The blonde herself is bigger and hits harder than she ever did, and she's still in great shape, but, after several desultory years, she finds herself trying to answer questions about whether she still can. The redhead, on the other hand, is looking to answer a different questions, "Is she going to?" McMann is only 26 and heading into her prime, and, while she's had plenty of success, she's still working to break through to the top shelf at both light and welter. So, yeah. A lot at stake and both fighters confident in victory.

"She's a good fighter," says the blonde with a smile. "I'm a Hall of Famer. That's the difference."

"She's in the Hall of Fame," says the hard-eyed redhead. "But, that really doesn't help much when you're getting punched in the face."


ROUND ONE:

McMann hits Cuoco in the face. Kennedy has the reach here, and she uses it very well in the opening stanza. Kaley still a "pouncer", likes to work at range and then bounce forward to get off in combination, but Kennedy is preempting all that with the left hand. She's got it in the blonde's face, keeping her on the outside, where McMann can follow on with hard right hands, pile up points and punishment. Kaley has moments when she's able to get to her spots and get off in combination, but they are few and far between. Instead, it's the redhead who's in control of this thing, doing what she wants when she wants to do it. When the bell finally rings, there's absolutely no doubt about the result. Kennedy's taken the points wide and grabbed the early 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Kaley makes some adjustments. She's moving the head, slipping the jab. NOW she's able to bounce forward and get off in combination, landing hard shot that backs up the redhead, forces her onto the defensive. That quickly, the blonde's in control of things and looking VERY much like her Hall of Fame self. McMann can't get much of anything going, as Kaley's getting the terms she wants and taking the younger woman to the woodshed. Kennedy's never hurt, but she's absolutely getting touched up as the blonde has absolutely EVERYTHING working in this stanza. In the final thirty seconds, McMann is in full retreat, trying to keep Cuoco off and having absolutely zero success. For the second straight round, there's no doubt about it when the bell rings. It's the blonde wide and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

More Kaley. Cuoco's in rhythm now, and Kennedy is struggling mightily to deal with it. The redhead's landing here and there in counter, but it's the blonde who's calling the tune, and the music is absolutely NOT to McMann's liking. She's trying to work that left hand, land rights off it, but she can't locate Kaley nearly often enough. Instead, the blonde's able to pop forward, get off in quick flurries, scoring points and landing some hard shot while doing so. Kennedy's looking for answers, but she can't find them. Instead, Kaley's continuing to dominate, just as she did in the second round. Once again, Cuoco gets stronger as the round goes on, taking the younger woman to the woodshed right to the bell. When it rings, it's a second-straight wide victory for Kaley, who leads 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

More Kaley. Cuoco rolling now, moving the head and feet, timing her forward bounces, getting off in combination and GETTING ROCKED! Right hand, MCMANN and Kaley is HURT! Out of nowhere, the redhead times one and the blonde is GOBSMACKED! And, McMann goes immediately to the offensive, letting the hands, go, backing the blonde up with rapid-fire combinations, forcing her into the ropes and then going body in a big way. Kaley getting abused to the ribs and midsection as she keeps the guard high and tries to ride this thing out. Kennedy upstairs, then right back down, landing to every legal inch of the blonde's body in an effort to get her out of there. The effort, however, is in vain. The Hall of Famer weather's the storm and hangs on to the bell, denying her rival the finish. But, Kennedy has the points wide and we're even at 29.

ROUND FIVE:

McMann looking to finish. Kaley still buzzed and Kennedy knows it. Redhead walking forward behind the left jab, dropping hard rights on the blonde. Cuoco giving ground, firing back here and there, but mainly on the defensive as she looks to run some clock, get her legs back under her. McMann, however, has a different idea. She's determined to bring an end to the proceedings and, a minute and a half in, BOOM! Right hand, KENNEDY and Kaley's knees wobble! McMann ALL IN, firing away and DROPPING the Hall of Famer with a four-punch flurry! Kaley on her back as Kennedy moves to a neutral corner. Referee counting down on the blonde. Cuoco rolls to her right side, then to her belly, begins to push to all fours, but it's too late. The count passes her by and it's OVER and your winner by KO5 is Kennedy McMann!

AFTER:

Kennedy showing plenty of respect in the post. "You can watch this girl on video," the redhead admits, "And, you don't get a sense of how good she actually is until you get in there. She's just got so much skill, so much ability to control things in there. I had to be patient and take my shot. And, when I got it, I didn't miss. It's a huge win for me, and just the beginning of a big 2023."