Meg Donnelly versus Kristen Bell

BEFORE:

Battle of blondes sees veteran Kristen in against a woman two decades her junior. But, if the three-time champion's concerned about that, well, she's not letting on. "I don't fight as much as I used to," she admits. "But, I've proven time and again that I can still do this at a championship level. And, tonight, I'll prove it again."

"She's a girl you can make mistakes again," Meg says with a nod. "She's very savvy, very slick. But. I'm pretty good, too, as I'm about to demonstrate."

ROUND ONE:

Tactical stuff to start us off, as both blondes do some recon. Meg has reach, but Krissy knows how to counter that, and it seems to trouble her not at all. Instead, she's moving the feet, dippin' and slippin', getting the hands out and back quickly, probing again and again for weaknesses in the Disney girl's defenses. For her part, Meg staying very sound, moving the hands and feet, working angles, looking to get to good spots. Both blondes have moments when they put punches together, but no one's doing that consistently, as the information gathering continues. There's not a lot in it going into the final thirty seconds, and both fighters have to know that, but nobody's willing to do any committing. At the bell, it's close, but it's Kristen who takes the points and the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Meg gets rolling. She's getting the range with that jab and following on with hard right hands. Krissy's trying to navigate the geometry, but she's not getting it done. The younger woman's getting off first time and again, stopping Bell, holding her, then HAMMERING her with right hands. By mid-round, Bell's being backed up and Donnelly's feeling it. Everything's working now, and she's piling up points and punishment. Krissy over to the defensive, getting the hands up, backing and covering, countering in spots. Works, to a point. She's able to score some and slow down the younger woman's offensive, but she's still coming out second best. When the bell rings, there's no doubt about the points. It's Meg and it's wide and we're even at 19 after two.

ROUND THREE:

Krissy problem solving. Again, it's theorems and corollaries. All geometry. She was getting squared up in the second, so, it's all about NOT doing that in the third. Lots of lateral motion from the older blonde, who's also keeping the gloves high. The plan is to slip or block that jab, step in, and get off in combination. And, like Bell's adjustment in the previous round it works, to a point. She's able to get some of what she wants. But, at other times, Meg is able to recreate what happened in the second. Result? A good, two-way round, with both fighters getting some work done and nobody able to put any space between her and her opponent. Final seconds see Krissy land the best punch of the fight, a short right hook that snaps back Meg's head. Bell follows with a pair of flurries and all of it is enough to put her over the line. Kristen has the points narrowly and goes back into the lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Bell looking to follow up on the late rally. She's stepping inside the jab, landing solid combinations, backing up the younger woman. Now it's Krissy who's got it humming, and she's taking full advantage. Meg on the back foot. She's not hurt, but she's being touched up and preempted...BOOM! Right hand, DONNELLY and BELL IS HURT! A SCINTILLATING right hook from Meg and Krissy is STEPPIN' IN FENCE POST HOLES! Younger blonde quickly to the offensive. She's banging away, driving Bell backward. Krissy covering up, hanging on and GOING DOWN AFTER A SHORT RIGHT HOOK! Bell dropped to her right side by a NASTY shot! Meg to a neutral corner. Krissy to hands and knees at six. Grabs the bottom rope. Begins climbing...CAN'T GET THERE IN TIME! She's still climbing when the count passes her by! It's OVER! And your winner by KO4 is Meg Donnelly!

AFTER:

Donnelly clearly pleased with herself after this one. "I knew that wouldn't be easy," the blonde says with a smile. "A veteran like her, she's seen it all and done it all. So, you have to take advantage of your chances when you get them. And, that's JUST what I did."