Taylor Swift versus Joy Corrigan (MoBs #2)

BEFORE:

No hype needed for this one, but plenty on offer already. Taylor Swift, who's been Mistress of the Body Saddle for nearly two years is facing the loss of that title...and, of course, a lot of other things, trailing Joy Corrigan 1-0 after the younger blonde blasted her out in six in their first fight. Of course, Swift is confident that things will be different tonight. "She got lucky," Taylor says dismissively. "It's as simple as that. No one, and I mean NO ONE can possibly think she's better than me. So, tonight, her luck runs out."

"Taylor needs to accept," says a hard-eyed Joy, "That her time has passed. Her time with the body saddle AND her time as a top lightweight. It's over. And, tonight, I'm going to prove it."

ROUND ONE:

Taylor's out with a different plan this time. In the first fight, she got very aggressive early and it ended up costing her. This time, she works the jab at range. Swift's got the reach and she's using it effectively, keeping Joy at bay. For a minute. But, Corrigan's prepared for this, and she quickly adjusts, angling, slipping, dipping, getting to where she can get off and doing so. Work rate increases from both blondes as the round goes on. Nobody's exactly sitting down on everything, but both fighters are getting leather home and both are getting the attention of their respective opponents. Final seconds sees a SCINTILLATING exchange in which Corrigan sends Swift backward with a pair of right hands. At the bell, it's close, but it's Joy who's taken the points and the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

High work rate again. Clear hatred at work here, as both women are burning reserves of energy early all in the service of taking their respective rivals out of there. Again, it's Taylor with the jab and follow routine, at times lining Joy up with the left and dropping bombs on her, while, at others, seeing Corrigan slip or block then get to spots to get off in combination herself. It's excellent stuff from both fighters, as, despite the clear desire to literally ATTACH leather to the face in front of them, the blondes remain sound and play good defense as well. In the final seconds, we again see some very sharp exchanges, and this time it's Joy who ends up giving ground as a result of a pair of solid right hands from Taylor. When the bell rings, it's close again, but, this time it's Swift, who has evened things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Same again. Ladies settling in on terms to their respective likings, since both have been effect...BOOM! Right hand, JOY and TAYLOR IS HURT! Swift's knees give a shimmy and the younger blonde is ALL IN! Joy determined to get that ride tonight as she backs the singer into the ropes and begins tenderizing meat. Corrigan banging away to ribs and tummy while a wobbly Taylor holds on in a tight guard, screaming into her gloves. Joy upstairs briefly, then right back down, piling up points and punishment. Taylor willing to take the body pounding to play for time, and Corrigan's playing along, confident in her war of attrition. Late in the round, Joy lands a couple of solid shots upstairs that get the ref's attention, but, when the bell rings, Taylor is still standing and the question of whether Corrigan wasted a big opportunity here hangs in the air. Joy takes the points wide and leads 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Joy walking Taylor down early, landing that left hand and dropping hard rights behind it...BOOM! Swift walks her into a right hand and CORRIGAN IS HURT! A fantastic counter from Taylor and Corrigan is STEPPIN' IN FENCE POST HOLES! Singer quickly to the offensive. She's letting her rival have it with both hands, driving her back against the cables. And. It's. PAYBACK. TIME! Swift going ALL body ALL the time as it's now Joy in the tight earmuff with ribs and tummy on sale...and Taylor's buying in BULK. She's whacking away with hooks and uppies. Corrigan crouching, clinching, trying to slow the attacks down. BOOM! Uppercut, Taylor SPLITS THE GLOVES and Joy staggers along the ropes! Taylor REEFING punches. Ref not going to watch much more of this...BELL! The bell rings and saves Corrigan! But, Joy's a wreck on the way back to the corner and Taylor's taken the points wide to even things at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Taylor in seek-and-destroy mode, and, with Joy still wobbly, the "seek" part is not all that much of a challenge. Swift simply landing the hard left jab, then working off it with right hands, steadily backing Corrigan up as she does so. Joy giving ground to play for time, but fighting back in spots. BOOM! Right hand, TAYLOR and DOWN GOES CORRIGAN! Seemed like only a matter of time before Swift hit the big one, and, as she strides to a neutral corner, arms raised in victory, it's clear she believes she's finished this thing. But. She hasn't. Somehow, Joy struggles to her feet at eight. Ref gives her the mandatory and waves on Taylor! Swift ALL OVER Corrigan, battering her with both hands. Joy looking ready to go as Taylor lands a NASTY right hook and it's OVER! The ref leaps in and bundles a protesting Joy to safety and it's OVER! And your winner by TKO5 is Taylor Swift, who's evened the best-of-three at one apiece!

AFTER: Don't kid yourself - as the Swan Lake tape is in almost as soon as Taylor is towering over her opponent.  In today's age, don't be surprised to see some enterprising cell phone footage or interviews with the stars involved appear on the internet soon.   But, regardless, a big win from Taylor to defend her title once again and set up an exciting tiebreaker sooner rather than later!