Post by girlsfriday on Apr 7, 2023 3:35:25 GMT -6
Lily James:
VS
Taylor Swift:
Tale of the Tape:
Lily James:
Age: 34
Height: 5'7
W/L: 20-1 (20KOs)
Former FCBA lightweight champion.
Vs
Taylor Swift:
Age: 33
Height: 5'11
W/L: 82-41 (82KOs)
Current Mistress of the Body Saddle.
Former FCBA lightweight champion.
Former Queen of the Ice Hotel.
Tractorpull Hall of Fame Inductee (2022)
(Team Rest of the World Vs Team USA)
(Written by Girls Friday/Results by Lookout!)
Intro:
Now it is main event time. The International Cup has come down to its final bout. The captain's now meet to see who can grab the trophy for their team. Rest of the World team captain Lily James and USA team captain Taylor Swift battle it out here in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Stadium.
This is the second time these two formed FCBA lightweight champions. In September of last year saw Lily James beat Taylor on her long undefeated run. Knocking out Taylor in the seventh round. Can Lily repeat that feat or can Taylor get her revenge?
Before the bout both women were proudly shown off by the FCBA committee at a press conference in a nearby Hotel Conference room. A set metal fences are set up to hold the press and fans who are there. Flags of the different fighters nations are hanging at the back of the hall with a podium set up in the middle of the area. Along with two stools for the captain's to sit on.
The captain's soon step into the room separately. First in comes Lily wearing a white dress with black heels, smiling warmly to the cameras and fans. Soon she is joined by Taylor coming in wearing a pink dress with matching heels. She smirks as she puts her hands on her hips. The fighters face off with fists raised and intense looks. They then head to their sits as a committee member tells the crowd that this is an important event in the FCBA as we mark the fifth anniversary of the International Cup.
First up to the podium comes Lily as the captain of the team who won the last two events. Lily smiles as she tells the crowd "it is an honour to be the team captain of the Rest of the World team. I was part of the team in 2021 that was the first to win it after American dominance. So I am proud that I have so far come from that day to where I am now." She looks to be fighting back a tear as clearly her growth as a fighter.
She then continues by saying "now I have a lot of respect for Taylor. She has been a hell of a fighter all these years and I do enjoy her songs." Getting a laugh from some around them. Taylor grins as she shakes her head.
"But I will be bringing my best to beat her. I have the weight of the world on my back, we are on a roll a a team and I don't want to be the one who loses it back to America" says Lily. She nods to Taylor before waving to the crowd before she goes over to her seat.
Now Taylor goes up to the podium. She looks over to Lily as she says "first while I respect you, I owe you for beating me last year. So don't think I am going to be talking how I love your movies or you." Lily nodding with a serious expression. Knowing that she is going to be in a tough fight.
Turning back to the crowd of people. Taylor says "I am of course proud to be an American. We have had a hard time lately trying to win this trophy. So I have as much motivation as anyone to win this. I have done so much in my career so to lead my team to victory would be another thing nobody can take away from me."
The fighters then come together again for one last face off with the trophy placed on the podium. With the first two names engraved with Team USA, the last two with ROW. Each places a hand on the trophy as they stare intensely. Showing that they will be the one taking home the trophy.
Fight night. In the Rest of the World locker room Lily takes a deep breath as Sharon returns helping Nabilla onto a bench. Lily has Isabella Gomez and Jodie Comer wishing her luck as they smile. Clearly believing in their captain to finish the job they helped with their earlier wins.
Stepping onto the stage with Sharon to her right. Lily bounces on her toes taking a moment to look over the stadium crowd. Beginning her walk to the ring with Sharon telling her "you have got this. Remind the world why you are the best in the FCBA." Lily nodding as she steps into the ring. Lily wears a navy blue sports bra with a gold "C" on the left bra cup, navy blue gloves and shoes, Union Jack pattern trunks, her hair tied into a ponytail as she bounces on her toes as she keeps her eyes straight ahead to stay in the zone.
In the USA teams locker room Taylor gets told off her stablemate Elizabeth "bring home that trophy." While they have had their issues over Emily DiDonato, they have put them aside for their country. Taylor nods as her winning teammates Ireland Baldwin and Kathryn Newton fist bump her.
Out comes Taylor moments later on the stage with Elizabeth. Neither says anything to the other as they walk towards the ring, Olsen following behind Swift. With Taylor looking deeply focused, this night meaning a lot to her as a captain and as a fighter. She climbs into the ring wearing a red sports bra with the gold "C" on her right bra cup. Red gloves, red shoes, stars and stripes pattern trunks, while her hair is in a ponytail. She paces in her corner as she stares across the ring at Lily.
The referee waves the fighters to them at the center of the ring. Outside it the trophy is placed on a podium. In the ring both fighters lock eyes as Taylor hisses "you won't catch me out this time." Lily not showing any fear. Once the instructions are over there is a crack of leather as they bump their gloves into their opponents set. Jogging back to their corners as the crowd I cheering both women on. The bell rings to start 10 rounds of lightweight action.
Round 1:
"Ding!" Both women come out with eyes firmly locked behind their gloves. Exchanging stiff single punches as they get used to each other again. Lily dipping down a few times to slam in a few digging punches around the abs of Taylor. Who responds by clipping her punches around the top of her smaller foes head. They are trying to find the best angle to strike as they fight on the outside around the middle of the ring.
After the opening minute, Taylor looks to step in with a straight, Lily sees it and crouches under it to land a counter overhand left on the chin of the singer. Taylor backs off as Lily presses forwards with a jab/straight on the gloves of the American. Taylor landing some crisp punches back into Lily's forehead to keep her from running right through her. With Swift being moved around the perimeter of the ring.
A straight catches Taylor under her chin to knock her head back. Onto the ropes goes Taylor as Lily quickly steps in to hammer in a left/right hook combo. Opening her elbows up as she swings away at Swift. Grabbing on to James to slow her down, Taylor looks annoyed as the referee steps in to split them apart. The round soon coming to a close with a few exchanges before the bell rung. Not a good start for Taylor as she shakes her head on her way to her corner.
Round 2:
Stepping back out to resume. They are warmed up now to the task as they exchange more two punch combos. Up on their toes as they seek each other out. A straight catches Lily around her nose, forcing her to back up a step as Taylor steps after her.
A double jab catches Lily around her forehead as she is forced around the perimeter of the ring. Taylor looking happy being the queen of the center. Opening up more herself now to throw, switching between going for headshots and then to the chest of her smaller foe to try to open her up. Lily keeping her guard tight to not let Taylor smack her so easily.
Less then a minute to go with Lily being subdued nicely by Swift. You can't sleep on Lily, something she is reminded of as her left dips low for Lily to slam a right hook out her guard onto the chin of her opponent to turn her head. Lily muscles back Taylor as she works on the inside, Taylor looking frustrated about being forced back to the ropes. The round soon ending with Taylor nudging off Lily from her. Marching back to her corner as Elizabeth tells her "keep your head." While Lily takes a breath on her stool as Sharon rubs her legs to keep her loose.
Round 3:
Trading around the center of the ring with Lily digging in more punches around the torso of Taylor as she bobs and weaves. Taylor firing back around the chest of Lily to try to get her to stay in one spot. Both looking for openings as they both just miss with big shots as the other former champion can move back to dodge.
An overhand left after feinting with the straight catches Swift on her chin, uppercut follows moments later to send Taylor onto her heels. Back into a neutral corner goes the American as James powers forwards. When she can't land up top she switches downstairs to work. Taylor pushing her off angrily as she moves out the corner.
Taylor though is having trouble really holding off the smaller woman, Lily is being like a pitbull working around the torso of Taylor to make her grunt out. Taylor nudges back Lily before landing a left/right hook to the cheeks of the English fighter to make her groan. The bell rings with Lily jogging back to her corner looking all business, Taylor taps her gloves together before taking a deep breath to try to get rid of her annoyance before it eats her up.
Round 4:
Using more double jabs as she kicks off proceedings, Taylor looking to hold off Lily. With the actress needing to use her upper body movement to try to make Taylor miss. Things becoming a bit of a chess match as they each try to find a way to grab control of the action.
Taylor drills a jab into the nose of Lily. That opens the English fighter up to a right hook around her left eye, Lily crying out as she retreats back. Taylor driving forwards as she crowds the smaller woman to the ropes. Landing punches around the sides of Lily's head before she grabs onto Taylor to force the referee to break them up.
Back in space Taylor is looking crisper now as she looks to have cooled off. Lily moving more side to side trying to find openings to strike. Both fighters faces are starting to get marked up. The round ends with Elizabeth heard saying "that's it! We need more of that." To her fighter.
Round 5:
They exchange more punches around cheeks as Lily is moving her target back up top more after focusing on the body of Taylor. With Swift drilling in stiff punches to start reddening the cheeks of Lily. A left hook catches Lily under her right eye to cause a little swelling to show as a straight follows to snap her head back.
Moving around the outside part of the ring. Lily is getting clipped around her face as she tries to find a way to get away from the ropes, Taylor feints before landing another left hook as she is starting to really land with that punch on a regular basis. LEFT HOOK OPENS UP LILY TO A RIGHT ON HER JAW TO FORCE THE ENGLISH FIGHTER TO HER RIGHT KNEE!
Taylor walks to the neutral corner with no hint of a smile. Even as her supporters are cheering loudly. 1....2....3... Lily shakes her head to clear it. 4....5....6... She pushes up to her feet as it looks more a flash knockdown there. She raises her gloves up to show she can fight on.
They resume with Taylor looking for a way to drive back Lily right away. Lily moving her head as she boxes defensively with under a minute to go. Lily doing a good job as Taylor can't quite land a big punch. The bell dings with Lily feeling her sore right eye, the corner crew working on that swelling that is forming. Sharon telling her fighter to not worry as they chat about what happened.
Round 6:
Taylor comes out looking to stick her jab into that swelling to make it worse, making Lily keep her right glove close to her eye. Taylor swinging in right hooks to land on the cheek of Lily. With Lily needing to open back up or get bullied back around the outside of the ring.
There is a pink hue forming around Taylor's body. Lily trying to keep to the game plan of cutting down the taller fighter. Nudging back Lily to create space, Swift lands a jab/straight combo square into the face of James to force her back a step. Taylor starting to get her rhythm going again as she is such a dangerous fighter holding the middle of the ring.
Final thirty seconds sees Lily getting inside after crouching under a right hook. Hammering away at the body of Taylor to make the singer hiss with each clean hit. Soon the round ends with both pushing apart. Sweat coating them as they have both pushed themselves hard. Sitting on their stools getting cleaned up with Taylor certainly starting to really dictate this bout.
Round 7:
Stepping back out with sweat dripping off their cheeks as some loose hair sticks to cheeks. Lily being more proactive after being more defensively minded in the last round. They exchange with Lily catching Taylor with a jab square into her belly button. UPPERCUT CATCHES TAYLOR TO SEND HER SPRAWLING TO HER BACK!
Lily walks over to the neutral corner as Sharon jumps for joy outside the ring, maybe deju vu in play here. 1....2....3... Taylor blinks as she lays on her back. 4....5... Sitting up with a groan. Taylor grits her mouthpiece as she has Elizabeth yelling at her to get up. 6....7....8... Taylor pushes up to her feet. Fists raised as she proves to the referee she can fight on.
Still around two minutes to go as the fighters resume with Lily looking to move inside to work. Taylor needing to use little nudges to force her back so she can slam in short punches around the cheeks of the smaller fighter. The intensity is there for both, working hard before they end up clinched up.
After being split up they are not moving as much on their toes. Lily landing a straight into the chest of Taylor, landing a left hook over the top into her jaw as Lily starts to push back Taylor. Who covers up near the ropes as Lily muscles her to the ropes. Bell dings to end proceedings with Taylor sitting on her stool with Elizabeth telling her to not get her head into gear. Across the ring Sharon telling her girl she has got this as it is becoming a real gut check time for both fighters.
Round 8:
Resuming with Lily looking to push the tempo as she steps inside to work away. Taylor nudging her back with a left glove into her face, landing a straight into the forehead of Lily to open up the gap between them. Taylor coming back at Lily with headhunting punches.
Hard fought opening minute before Lily catches Taylor with a left hook into her ribs, she buries a follow up right into the belly button of the American to make her grimace. Lily muscles back Swift to the ropes as she pumps her fists into the abs of her fellow blonde. Taylor dragging Lily into a front headlock under her left forearm, Taylor lands a few kidney punches with her right as desperation is starting to show.
After the referee breaks them up, Taylor gets a warning. They resume with Taylor catching her opponent dipping down with a left hook around the swollen right eye. Lily returning back as she winces. Taylor stalking after her as the momentum switches again with not long left in the round. Exchanging at range as their coaches roar them on.
The round ends with both women grimacing as they turn to their corners. Both are feeling this bout as they sit down on their stools. Lily getting her right eye worked on as it is starting to shut. Taylor meanwhile has an ice pack placed on her body as there's a redness around it.
Round 9:
Both hiss as they get back to their feet. Stepping out a little slower but still trading hard shots at range. Taylor doubling up her jab to hammer around the head of her opponent. Lily gets in a few straight punches around the chest and chin of Taylor to make her back off as they are trying to tough it out to get the win.
Second minute of the round sees a left hook catches Lily on her right eye, there's a loud whine from James as she steps back. A straight lands square into the nose of the English girl. Blood starting to flow from her nostrils as Taylor is starting to beat back her rival. Lily swings from the back foot but is being caught more cleanly then she is landing in return. RIGHT HOOK TO THE CHIN OF LILY SENDS HER CRASHING DOWN TO HER BACK!
"Come on!" Roars Swift before she walks to the neutral corner, taking a breath as she leans against the turnbuckles in the corner. 1....2....3....4... Lily is groaning with her eyes shut. 5....6... Feeling her nose with her right glove as she whines. 7....8....9....10 it's all over! Taylor has won!
Winner Taylor Swift KO Round 9
After:
Team USA gets the win! They are back on top as Taylor Swift raises her arms in the air with a big beaming smile. Elizabeth doesn't over celebrate as she just nods at her stablemate and teammate. Still tension even now between them. Taylor does a lap inside the ring with her hands out to the side, before she puts her right foot on the chest of Lily to make it clear whose on top of the mountain between them.
Sharon isn't happy as she shoves off Taylor to get her away from Lily. Taylor doesn't look pleased to say the least at the intervention of the older woman, she keeps her thoughts to herself as she waves off Sharon and returns to her corner to be patched up. Certainly no friends between Swift and the League of Mighty Women stable.
Sharon wipes down the face of Lily as she checks her over. Lily chokes back tears as she tries to hide the pain of losing this back and forth clash. Sharon telling her "you were unlucky Lily, it happens but you are going to come back stronger." Helping Lily sit up as she embraces her in a consoling hug.
Helped to her feet. Lily gets a round of applause from the crowd. She gives a tired wave with her left hand after her gloves are taken off. Sharon helping her out the ring as Isabella Gomez and Jodie Comer both come out to help get Lily to their locker room. Showing how close they have gotten over the past few weeks, training and evidentially chatting when not in the gym. Lily didn't get her fairy tale story of winning the International Cup as a team member and then as a captain, still Lily continues to grow in fans and clearly supporters within the FCBA ranks.
As they walk to the back. Ireland Baldwin and Kathryn Newton walk past putting an L sign with their left hands up to mock the Rest of the World team. Ellie Fanning and Anna Kendrick just nod to them as they haven't much to gloat about considering they lost tonight. Anna in fact looking a little embarrassed by her younger compatriots.
In the center of the ring the trophy is being placed on the podium. Taylor gets her right hand raised as her teammates step into the ring. Each hugs Taylor as Elizabeth stares hard at Swift. Happy they have won the event but not happy that it was Swift who won it for the team.
Taylor finally gets her hands on the trophy as she raises it above her head. Kissing the trophy before she passes it around. The American team looked unstoppable at one point in the history of these events till finally the Rest of the World team won. Now Taylor with her hand picked team has won the cup back. This could be a new dawn for the team going forwards inspiring the next generation.
But there is still tension between Elizabeth and Taylor. With Elizabeth heard on camera telling Anna "Emily would have done a better job then that vapid bytch." As Anna looks awkward, not knowing what to say as she just nods. Elizabeth herself isn't close to retiring but this event showed she has the potential to someday either coach in a stable or maybe even lead one. Though Taylor wouldn't be part of her future if she had the choice as Taylor gives her an eat sh*t grin.
Stepping out the ring together. Taylor assures her team "I will have the best champagne ready for the flight home ladies, you all earned this." Even as she hasn't really shared the trophy, just letting the others kiss it as she holds onto it. Clearly thinking she is the main reason why they won it. The USA team now has three International Cup wins to the Rest of the World's two in history.
Team ROW 2-3 Team USA
VS
Taylor Swift:
Tale of the Tape:
Lily James:
Age: 34
Height: 5'7
W/L: 20-1 (20KOs)
Former FCBA lightweight champion.
Vs
Taylor Swift:
Age: 33
Height: 5'11
W/L: 82-41 (82KOs)
Current Mistress of the Body Saddle.
Former FCBA lightweight champion.
Former Queen of the Ice Hotel.
Tractorpull Hall of Fame Inductee (2022)
(Team Rest of the World Vs Team USA)
(Written by Girls Friday/Results by Lookout!)
Intro:
Now it is main event time. The International Cup has come down to its final bout. The captain's now meet to see who can grab the trophy for their team. Rest of the World team captain Lily James and USA team captain Taylor Swift battle it out here in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Stadium.
This is the second time these two formed FCBA lightweight champions. In September of last year saw Lily James beat Taylor on her long undefeated run. Knocking out Taylor in the seventh round. Can Lily repeat that feat or can Taylor get her revenge?
Before the bout both women were proudly shown off by the FCBA committee at a press conference in a nearby Hotel Conference room. A set metal fences are set up to hold the press and fans who are there. Flags of the different fighters nations are hanging at the back of the hall with a podium set up in the middle of the area. Along with two stools for the captain's to sit on.
The captain's soon step into the room separately. First in comes Lily wearing a white dress with black heels, smiling warmly to the cameras and fans. Soon she is joined by Taylor coming in wearing a pink dress with matching heels. She smirks as she puts her hands on her hips. The fighters face off with fists raised and intense looks. They then head to their sits as a committee member tells the crowd that this is an important event in the FCBA as we mark the fifth anniversary of the International Cup.
First up to the podium comes Lily as the captain of the team who won the last two events. Lily smiles as she tells the crowd "it is an honour to be the team captain of the Rest of the World team. I was part of the team in 2021 that was the first to win it after American dominance. So I am proud that I have so far come from that day to where I am now." She looks to be fighting back a tear as clearly her growth as a fighter.
She then continues by saying "now I have a lot of respect for Taylor. She has been a hell of a fighter all these years and I do enjoy her songs." Getting a laugh from some around them. Taylor grins as she shakes her head.
"But I will be bringing my best to beat her. I have the weight of the world on my back, we are on a roll a a team and I don't want to be the one who loses it back to America" says Lily. She nods to Taylor before waving to the crowd before she goes over to her seat.
Now Taylor goes up to the podium. She looks over to Lily as she says "first while I respect you, I owe you for beating me last year. So don't think I am going to be talking how I love your movies or you." Lily nodding with a serious expression. Knowing that she is going to be in a tough fight.
Turning back to the crowd of people. Taylor says "I am of course proud to be an American. We have had a hard time lately trying to win this trophy. So I have as much motivation as anyone to win this. I have done so much in my career so to lead my team to victory would be another thing nobody can take away from me."
The fighters then come together again for one last face off with the trophy placed on the podium. With the first two names engraved with Team USA, the last two with ROW. Each places a hand on the trophy as they stare intensely. Showing that they will be the one taking home the trophy.
Fight night. In the Rest of the World locker room Lily takes a deep breath as Sharon returns helping Nabilla onto a bench. Lily has Isabella Gomez and Jodie Comer wishing her luck as they smile. Clearly believing in their captain to finish the job they helped with their earlier wins.
Stepping onto the stage with Sharon to her right. Lily bounces on her toes taking a moment to look over the stadium crowd. Beginning her walk to the ring with Sharon telling her "you have got this. Remind the world why you are the best in the FCBA." Lily nodding as she steps into the ring. Lily wears a navy blue sports bra with a gold "C" on the left bra cup, navy blue gloves and shoes, Union Jack pattern trunks, her hair tied into a ponytail as she bounces on her toes as she keeps her eyes straight ahead to stay in the zone.
In the USA teams locker room Taylor gets told off her stablemate Elizabeth "bring home that trophy." While they have had their issues over Emily DiDonato, they have put them aside for their country. Taylor nods as her winning teammates Ireland Baldwin and Kathryn Newton fist bump her.
Out comes Taylor moments later on the stage with Elizabeth. Neither says anything to the other as they walk towards the ring, Olsen following behind Swift. With Taylor looking deeply focused, this night meaning a lot to her as a captain and as a fighter. She climbs into the ring wearing a red sports bra with the gold "C" on her right bra cup. Red gloves, red shoes, stars and stripes pattern trunks, while her hair is in a ponytail. She paces in her corner as she stares across the ring at Lily.
The referee waves the fighters to them at the center of the ring. Outside it the trophy is placed on a podium. In the ring both fighters lock eyes as Taylor hisses "you won't catch me out this time." Lily not showing any fear. Once the instructions are over there is a crack of leather as they bump their gloves into their opponents set. Jogging back to their corners as the crowd I cheering both women on. The bell rings to start 10 rounds of lightweight action.
Round 1:
"Ding!" Both women come out with eyes firmly locked behind their gloves. Exchanging stiff single punches as they get used to each other again. Lily dipping down a few times to slam in a few digging punches around the abs of Taylor. Who responds by clipping her punches around the top of her smaller foes head. They are trying to find the best angle to strike as they fight on the outside around the middle of the ring.
After the opening minute, Taylor looks to step in with a straight, Lily sees it and crouches under it to land a counter overhand left on the chin of the singer. Taylor backs off as Lily presses forwards with a jab/straight on the gloves of the American. Taylor landing some crisp punches back into Lily's forehead to keep her from running right through her. With Swift being moved around the perimeter of the ring.
A straight catches Taylor under her chin to knock her head back. Onto the ropes goes Taylor as Lily quickly steps in to hammer in a left/right hook combo. Opening her elbows up as she swings away at Swift. Grabbing on to James to slow her down, Taylor looks annoyed as the referee steps in to split them apart. The round soon coming to a close with a few exchanges before the bell rung. Not a good start for Taylor as she shakes her head on her way to her corner.
Round 2:
Stepping back out to resume. They are warmed up now to the task as they exchange more two punch combos. Up on their toes as they seek each other out. A straight catches Lily around her nose, forcing her to back up a step as Taylor steps after her.
A double jab catches Lily around her forehead as she is forced around the perimeter of the ring. Taylor looking happy being the queen of the center. Opening up more herself now to throw, switching between going for headshots and then to the chest of her smaller foe to try to open her up. Lily keeping her guard tight to not let Taylor smack her so easily.
Less then a minute to go with Lily being subdued nicely by Swift. You can't sleep on Lily, something she is reminded of as her left dips low for Lily to slam a right hook out her guard onto the chin of her opponent to turn her head. Lily muscles back Taylor as she works on the inside, Taylor looking frustrated about being forced back to the ropes. The round soon ending with Taylor nudging off Lily from her. Marching back to her corner as Elizabeth tells her "keep your head." While Lily takes a breath on her stool as Sharon rubs her legs to keep her loose.
Round 3:
Trading around the center of the ring with Lily digging in more punches around the torso of Taylor as she bobs and weaves. Taylor firing back around the chest of Lily to try to get her to stay in one spot. Both looking for openings as they both just miss with big shots as the other former champion can move back to dodge.
An overhand left after feinting with the straight catches Swift on her chin, uppercut follows moments later to send Taylor onto her heels. Back into a neutral corner goes the American as James powers forwards. When she can't land up top she switches downstairs to work. Taylor pushing her off angrily as she moves out the corner.
Taylor though is having trouble really holding off the smaller woman, Lily is being like a pitbull working around the torso of Taylor to make her grunt out. Taylor nudges back Lily before landing a left/right hook to the cheeks of the English fighter to make her groan. The bell rings with Lily jogging back to her corner looking all business, Taylor taps her gloves together before taking a deep breath to try to get rid of her annoyance before it eats her up.
Round 4:
Using more double jabs as she kicks off proceedings, Taylor looking to hold off Lily. With the actress needing to use her upper body movement to try to make Taylor miss. Things becoming a bit of a chess match as they each try to find a way to grab control of the action.
Taylor drills a jab into the nose of Lily. That opens the English fighter up to a right hook around her left eye, Lily crying out as she retreats back. Taylor driving forwards as she crowds the smaller woman to the ropes. Landing punches around the sides of Lily's head before she grabs onto Taylor to force the referee to break them up.
Back in space Taylor is looking crisper now as she looks to have cooled off. Lily moving more side to side trying to find openings to strike. Both fighters faces are starting to get marked up. The round ends with Elizabeth heard saying "that's it! We need more of that." To her fighter.
Round 5:
They exchange more punches around cheeks as Lily is moving her target back up top more after focusing on the body of Taylor. With Swift drilling in stiff punches to start reddening the cheeks of Lily. A left hook catches Lily under her right eye to cause a little swelling to show as a straight follows to snap her head back.
Moving around the outside part of the ring. Lily is getting clipped around her face as she tries to find a way to get away from the ropes, Taylor feints before landing another left hook as she is starting to really land with that punch on a regular basis. LEFT HOOK OPENS UP LILY TO A RIGHT ON HER JAW TO FORCE THE ENGLISH FIGHTER TO HER RIGHT KNEE!
Taylor walks to the neutral corner with no hint of a smile. Even as her supporters are cheering loudly. 1....2....3... Lily shakes her head to clear it. 4....5....6... She pushes up to her feet as it looks more a flash knockdown there. She raises her gloves up to show she can fight on.
They resume with Taylor looking for a way to drive back Lily right away. Lily moving her head as she boxes defensively with under a minute to go. Lily doing a good job as Taylor can't quite land a big punch. The bell dings with Lily feeling her sore right eye, the corner crew working on that swelling that is forming. Sharon telling her fighter to not worry as they chat about what happened.
Round 6:
Taylor comes out looking to stick her jab into that swelling to make it worse, making Lily keep her right glove close to her eye. Taylor swinging in right hooks to land on the cheek of Lily. With Lily needing to open back up or get bullied back around the outside of the ring.
There is a pink hue forming around Taylor's body. Lily trying to keep to the game plan of cutting down the taller fighter. Nudging back Lily to create space, Swift lands a jab/straight combo square into the face of James to force her back a step. Taylor starting to get her rhythm going again as she is such a dangerous fighter holding the middle of the ring.
Final thirty seconds sees Lily getting inside after crouching under a right hook. Hammering away at the body of Taylor to make the singer hiss with each clean hit. Soon the round ends with both pushing apart. Sweat coating them as they have both pushed themselves hard. Sitting on their stools getting cleaned up with Taylor certainly starting to really dictate this bout.
Round 7:
Stepping back out with sweat dripping off their cheeks as some loose hair sticks to cheeks. Lily being more proactive after being more defensively minded in the last round. They exchange with Lily catching Taylor with a jab square into her belly button. UPPERCUT CATCHES TAYLOR TO SEND HER SPRAWLING TO HER BACK!
Lily walks over to the neutral corner as Sharon jumps for joy outside the ring, maybe deju vu in play here. 1....2....3... Taylor blinks as she lays on her back. 4....5... Sitting up with a groan. Taylor grits her mouthpiece as she has Elizabeth yelling at her to get up. 6....7....8... Taylor pushes up to her feet. Fists raised as she proves to the referee she can fight on.
Still around two minutes to go as the fighters resume with Lily looking to move inside to work. Taylor needing to use little nudges to force her back so she can slam in short punches around the cheeks of the smaller fighter. The intensity is there for both, working hard before they end up clinched up.
After being split up they are not moving as much on their toes. Lily landing a straight into the chest of Taylor, landing a left hook over the top into her jaw as Lily starts to push back Taylor. Who covers up near the ropes as Lily muscles her to the ropes. Bell dings to end proceedings with Taylor sitting on her stool with Elizabeth telling her to not get her head into gear. Across the ring Sharon telling her girl she has got this as it is becoming a real gut check time for both fighters.
Round 8:
Resuming with Lily looking to push the tempo as she steps inside to work away. Taylor nudging her back with a left glove into her face, landing a straight into the forehead of Lily to open up the gap between them. Taylor coming back at Lily with headhunting punches.
Hard fought opening minute before Lily catches Taylor with a left hook into her ribs, she buries a follow up right into the belly button of the American to make her grimace. Lily muscles back Swift to the ropes as she pumps her fists into the abs of her fellow blonde. Taylor dragging Lily into a front headlock under her left forearm, Taylor lands a few kidney punches with her right as desperation is starting to show.
After the referee breaks them up, Taylor gets a warning. They resume with Taylor catching her opponent dipping down with a left hook around the swollen right eye. Lily returning back as she winces. Taylor stalking after her as the momentum switches again with not long left in the round. Exchanging at range as their coaches roar them on.
The round ends with both women grimacing as they turn to their corners. Both are feeling this bout as they sit down on their stools. Lily getting her right eye worked on as it is starting to shut. Taylor meanwhile has an ice pack placed on her body as there's a redness around it.
Round 9:
Both hiss as they get back to their feet. Stepping out a little slower but still trading hard shots at range. Taylor doubling up her jab to hammer around the head of her opponent. Lily gets in a few straight punches around the chest and chin of Taylor to make her back off as they are trying to tough it out to get the win.
Second minute of the round sees a left hook catches Lily on her right eye, there's a loud whine from James as she steps back. A straight lands square into the nose of the English girl. Blood starting to flow from her nostrils as Taylor is starting to beat back her rival. Lily swings from the back foot but is being caught more cleanly then she is landing in return. RIGHT HOOK TO THE CHIN OF LILY SENDS HER CRASHING DOWN TO HER BACK!
"Come on!" Roars Swift before she walks to the neutral corner, taking a breath as she leans against the turnbuckles in the corner. 1....2....3....4... Lily is groaning with her eyes shut. 5....6... Feeling her nose with her right glove as she whines. 7....8....9....10 it's all over! Taylor has won!
Winner Taylor Swift KO Round 9
After:
Team USA gets the win! They are back on top as Taylor Swift raises her arms in the air with a big beaming smile. Elizabeth doesn't over celebrate as she just nods at her stablemate and teammate. Still tension even now between them. Taylor does a lap inside the ring with her hands out to the side, before she puts her right foot on the chest of Lily to make it clear whose on top of the mountain between them.
Sharon isn't happy as she shoves off Taylor to get her away from Lily. Taylor doesn't look pleased to say the least at the intervention of the older woman, she keeps her thoughts to herself as she waves off Sharon and returns to her corner to be patched up. Certainly no friends between Swift and the League of Mighty Women stable.
Sharon wipes down the face of Lily as she checks her over. Lily chokes back tears as she tries to hide the pain of losing this back and forth clash. Sharon telling her "you were unlucky Lily, it happens but you are going to come back stronger." Helping Lily sit up as she embraces her in a consoling hug.
Helped to her feet. Lily gets a round of applause from the crowd. She gives a tired wave with her left hand after her gloves are taken off. Sharon helping her out the ring as Isabella Gomez and Jodie Comer both come out to help get Lily to their locker room. Showing how close they have gotten over the past few weeks, training and evidentially chatting when not in the gym. Lily didn't get her fairy tale story of winning the International Cup as a team member and then as a captain, still Lily continues to grow in fans and clearly supporters within the FCBA ranks.
As they walk to the back. Ireland Baldwin and Kathryn Newton walk past putting an L sign with their left hands up to mock the Rest of the World team. Ellie Fanning and Anna Kendrick just nod to them as they haven't much to gloat about considering they lost tonight. Anna in fact looking a little embarrassed by her younger compatriots.
In the center of the ring the trophy is being placed on the podium. Taylor gets her right hand raised as her teammates step into the ring. Each hugs Taylor as Elizabeth stares hard at Swift. Happy they have won the event but not happy that it was Swift who won it for the team.
Taylor finally gets her hands on the trophy as she raises it above her head. Kissing the trophy before she passes it around. The American team looked unstoppable at one point in the history of these events till finally the Rest of the World team won. Now Taylor with her hand picked team has won the cup back. This could be a new dawn for the team going forwards inspiring the next generation.
But there is still tension between Elizabeth and Taylor. With Elizabeth heard on camera telling Anna "Emily would have done a better job then that vapid bytch." As Anna looks awkward, not knowing what to say as she just nods. Elizabeth herself isn't close to retiring but this event showed she has the potential to someday either coach in a stable or maybe even lead one. Though Taylor wouldn't be part of her future if she had the choice as Taylor gives her an eat sh*t grin.
Stepping out the ring together. Taylor assures her team "I will have the best champagne ready for the flight home ladies, you all earned this." Even as she hasn't really shared the trophy, just letting the others kiss it as she holds onto it. Clearly thinking she is the main reason why they won it. The USA team now has three International Cup wins to the Rest of the World's two in history.
Team ROW 2-3 Team USA
