Hailee Steinfeld versus Natalie Alyn Lind

BEFORE:

Blonde vs. brunette in a battle of two of the top young bantam prospects. First, there's Nat The Brat, who's leaped to the number one contender spot off TEN impressive wins in a row. Then, there's brunette Hailee, who's blossomed under new management to shove into the Top Twenty with her eyes set firmly on the bantam gold. "All good things," says Hailee with a smile, "Must come to an end. And, so must BAD things, like Lind's winning streak."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll lose a fight SOMEtime," says the blonde with a smile of her own. "After all, this IS the FCBA. But. I'm not going to be losing to HAILEE."

ROUND ONE:

The blonde likes to get after girls, bring her power to bear. It's not that she CAN'T box at range, it's that she likes to use her advantages on other terms. But, Hailee LIKES to use her length, jab, work at gunnery range, and that's exactly what the athletic brunette is able to do in the first. The brunette's not ranging around the ring or anything, but she's moving effectively, not letting the blonde square and come forward. Instead, it's ranged warfare, and Steinfeld gets much the better of it. She never hurts Lind, but she does powder her face with jabs, drop in hard rights, set up nice combinations, pile up points to the bell. When it rings, it's Hailee wide and with the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Adjustment made by the blonde. She's keeping the gloves high, moving in at an angle, slipping or blocking that jab, closing, working body, going back upstairs, crowing the brunette, not allowing her to get the distance she wants. Makes all the difference. Now, it's Natalie in control, putting together punches, backing up the brunette, making her cover, not hurting her, but scoring very well, making her uncomfortable, showing once again why ten straight opponents have fallen before the streaking Brat. Hailee's game, bang back in spots, scoring a good counter here and there, but the worm has turned, and, when the bell rings, it's Natalie who's taken it wide and evened things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Lind rolling. She's getting the terms she wants, and taking the fight to the brunet...BOOM! Right hand, NATALIE and DOWN GOES HAILEE! A scintillating right from the blonde drops Hailee to her rump! Lind quickly to a neutral corner to watch and wait. Steinfeld shaking the head, watching the count, getting to her feet at eight. Brunette takes the mandatory and ON COMES NATALIE. Lind REEFING punches at the brunette, determined to get her out of there. Hailee giving ground, covering up, backed to the ropes, hanging on as the blonde pours on the fire. Ref looking in closely, but Steinfeld's doing enough to keep him at bay to the bell. When it rings, the blonde's taken it 10-8 and pulled into a 29-27 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

Lind in control, backing up the still-wobbly brunette with hard shot. Hailee trading space for time, looking to manage while she gets those legs back under her. Meanwhile, the blonde is cleaning up in a major way, piling up points and piling on the punishment. She's trying to finish, but, being denied that, she's scoring well with both hands, working some body, establishing firm control of the proceedings. Late in the round, Hailee starts moving better, getting some punches put together, resulting in some nice exchanges. It's far too late to matter for the fourth of course, and, when the bell rings, Lind's grabbed it wide to push the lead to 39-36.

ROUND FIVE:

Good, two-way action to start the fifth. Steinfeld moving, jabbing, trying to enforce distance. When she can, she has the better of it, like she did in the first. At other times, however, the blonde is able to work forward behind the jab, pressure the brunette, work her to head and body. Add it all up, and you have a close round with both fighters getting some, but not enough of what they want. Both blonde and brunette are active, working hard to get favorable terms. Both are slick. Both are smart. Both are sound. And, despite all of their efforts, there's virtually nothing in it. When the bell rings, it's exceedingly close, but it's Steinfeld who's gotten back on the board and cut the blonde's lead to 48-46 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Same again. Ladies fighting for terms, working hard, ranging around the ring. Brunette working the jab, moving the feet, hands, and head, getting the jab out and back quickly, working solid right hands off it. Blonde coming forward behind the left, hooking to body with the right, backing up Hailee at times. Once again, not much in it, as both ladies are effective, but neither can grab control. Instead, the battle ebbs and flows, with blonde and brunette again showing why they're both so highly ranked. Late in the round, things heat up with heavy exchanges featuring a SIZZLING right from Lind that backs up Steinfeld. At the bell, Natalie's done just enough to claim points and push back up three, 58-55.

ROUND SEVEN:

Same again. Good two-wa...BOOM! Right hand, HAILEE and LIND IS HURT! Natalie STEPPIN' IN FENCE POST HOLES! Hailee immediately goes all in, winging away and DOWN GOES LIND! Natalie dropped to her back by a three-punch combination. Brunette to a neutral corner. Blonde staring up as the referee counts down on her. Rolls to her belly at six. Pushes to hands and knees at seven, gets to her feet at eight. Ref gives her the mandatory and waves on Steinfeld! Hailee a buzz saw, backing Natalie to the ropes and PUNISHING her to body and head, looking to finish this thing. Lind keeping the "off" button hidden, doing enough to keep the ref at bay. SOLID right by Hailee wobbles Natalie again, but, before the ref can act, the bell rings. It's a huge 10-8 round for the brunette, but Lind survives and still leads 66-65.

ROUND EIGHT:

:Lind in retreat. Steinfeld pouring forward, tossing everything she has at the blonde, but staying plenty sound while doing it, aware of Natalie's power. Hailee setting up those hard rights, working a little body, PUNISHING the blonde in every possible way. Lind giving ground, playing for time, keeping the hands high and GOING DOWN after a NASTY straight right from Hailee! Steinfeld snaps back the head with a jab, then follows with a right behind the gloves and Natalie's flat on her back! Brunette to a neutral corner again. Lind staring wide-eyed at the ref...and it's not going to happen this time. Natalie still on her back as the count passes her by. It's OVER! And your winner by KO8 is Hailee Steinfeld!

AFTER:

Haliee looking a mess in the post, still winded and wincing. "That was a battle in there," the brunette says, managing a smile. "Knew it would be, but I knew I'd get her. She's number one contender? Well. Guess who's number one NOW?"