Post by Lookout! Boxing on Aug 25, 2023 22:24:16 GMT -6
Olivia Rodrigo vs Alicia Vikander
(Results: Lookout. Words: Wiz)
BEFORE:
Battle of brunette bantams see Vikander, who's been very lightly raced the last two seasons, square off with Rodrigo, a girl 15 years her junior and one coming off her first FCBA loss. Despite falling to Mille Bobby Brown, however, Olivia remains a hot prospect and would be a nice "get" for Alicia as she looks to push to contender status...and the Swedish beauty knows it. "Yes, she's made a name for herself. Fourteen straight wins to start the career. But, tonight, her first losing streak is going to reach two."
"It was tough," Olivia admits. "I thought I had Millie a couple of times, and then to lose my first fight to her. It was...tough. But, in the FCBA, you have to forget that stuff, shower it off and get back to work. That's what I did, and tonight I get back on track."
ROUND ONE:
Rodrigo's on track IMMEDIATELY. Things start at range, no surprise, as both fighters like to work there, but, before Vikander can break a sweat...BOOM! A PRETTY one-two from Olivia and Alicia is HURT! Swedish beauty's knees nearly give way and she quickly covers up, while Rodrigo calls in the heavy artillery. Younger brunette backs the older into the ropes and LETS HER HAVE IT with every shell in the magazine. Ref looking in closely, but Alicia hanging on, jabbing back in spots, blocking, rolling with, riding it out. Final seconds see Vikander rallying, having shaken the worst of the damage she works off the ropes and even scores some late. At the bell, though, it's Olivia wide and with the 10-9 lead.
ROUND TWO:
Vikander gets it going early. She finds the range, begins putting punches together, and starts backing up the younger woman. Rodrigo's getting beaten to punches, backed up, and preempted here, as the Swede takes control of things in a big way. American has few answers. She's thrown to the defensive, and the older woman's consistent, accurate work keeps her there for two and a half minutes. It's only in the final thirty seconds that Olivia manages to get some offense going, but, of course, it's far too little and far too late to matter in this stanza. At the bell, there's no question that Alicia has taken it and wide to even things at 19.
ROUND THREE:
Vikander right back in charge. The Swedish beauty's found some things that work and she's determined to ride that horse as far as it will take her. For Olivia's part, she's right back where she was the majority of the previous round, on the back foot covering up, waiting for her turn to get off. Unfortunately, that turn rarely comes, as Alicia keeps up the steady work rate. The Swede always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, while the American almost NEVER does. By the final thirty seconds, Vikander is able to slow things down again, allow Rodrigo to get off some, secure in the knowledge that she's taken the points wide again to grab the 29-28 lead.
ROUND FOUR:
Rodrigo spends a minute absolutely HEARING it from Neve Campbell, then comes off the stool and gets busy. The American's work rate rises exponentially, and it makes a big difference. She's not waiting around now, she's getting off. But, that doesn't stop the Swede from doing the same. Result is an action-packed two-way round that sees both brunettes scoring well, landing punches in bunches, and, at times, snapping back heads with some VERY solid shot. There's not much in it at any point in the frame, and, when the bell rings, it's very close indeed, but it's Rodrigo whose done just a bit more and evens things at 38.
ROUND FIVE:
More two-way stuff as both Swede and American keep their respective work rates high. Lots of sharp, accurate leather being exchanged and neither fighter able to...BOOM! Right hand, OLIVIA and Alicia is STEPPIN' IN FENCE POST HOLES! Vikander in DEEP trouble as Rodrigo pushes ALL her chips to the center of the table, letting the hands go in a big way and DOWN GOES ALICIA after a BLISTERING right hand! Vikander blown to her back. Rodrigo to a neutral corner. Swede staring wide eyed up at the ref finally rolls to her belly at seven, pushes to hands and knees at eight...but SINKS BACK TO THE CANVAS! It's OVER! Alicia can't beat the count and it's OVER and your winner by KO5 is Olivia Rodrigo!
AFTER:
Rodrigo matter-of-fact in the post. She's clearly not surprised to have won this one. She's very good. A good boxer with a lot of power for this weight. But. I'm something DIFFERENT, as I've shown over and over again. I'm back on track now. And, I can't wait to get back in the ring and add to this new winning streak."