Elizabeth Olsen versus Katie Austin

BEFORE:

Step up in class for blonde Katie, who had a nice run going until running afoul of Kelsey Merritt last month. Not only is Austin facing a Top Twenty bantam on this night, but a Hall of Famer and former Unified Bantamweight Champion. And that means the blonde has TWO questions to answer, first, can she hang with a talent like Lizzie, and, second, is this stage too big for her. At least in the pre-fight, though, Austin seems confident. "I'm more athletic, younger, quicker. That will play tonight."

"She's climbing the rankings for a good reason," Elizabeth admits. "But, I'm about to reverse all of that."

ROUND ONE:

Plenty of recon in the first, and that's no surprise. Austin, again, in tough against a skilled, far more experienced opponent. And, as for Lizzie, well, as the solid favorite, there's no sense in taking chances early. So, both fighters settle into a period of movement and probing of defenses. They're seeking weaknesses not so much to take advantage of same NOW, but to file away for the remainder of the fight. For the moment, there are small skirmishes, little sorties that amount to very little, and a ton of movement. Add it all up, and there's not a lot in it, but, late in the round, the veteran Olsen gets busy, puts together some punches, and grabs the points to take the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Same again, but with feeling. Now, the ladies are looking to take advantage of what they learned in the first. Result is, rather than probing movements, we're seeing actual offensives taking shape, all while both fighters move, punch, and defend very well. It's a war of movement, but a war nonetheless, as blonde and brunette take turns putting together nice combinations, forcing one another over to the defensive, looking to not just score but bring power to bear in spots. Once again, add it all up, and there's not a lot in it. Neither fighter has managed to create any space. But, late in the round it's Katie who rings Lizzie's bell a bit with a solid right hand, and follows on with some nice flurries to take the round and even things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Austin holds the momentum from late in the second and begins tossing Lizzie to the defensive again and again. All of a sudden, Olsen's being beaten to punches, forced to back and cover. Lizzie isn't hurt, but the Hall of Famer is taking an awful lot of fire from the fitness queen at the moment. Blonde FEELING it as the round goes on, snapping out that left, following on with solid rights, slipping rejoinders, digging hard shots to the belly in response. It's not just GOOD stuff from Austin, it's GREAT stuff. As for Olsen, she's able to score here and there, but, for much of the round, she's on the back foot, which is where we find her when the bell rings, ending a round Katie's taken wide to lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Lizzie adjusts, no surprise there. Veteran Hall of Famers tend to do that. Rather than stay at range as she's done most of the fight, now the former champ is stepping forward, not closing, but getting to middle distances where she's able to give as good as she gets from the blonde. Early on, Katie tries to renegotiate terms, but she's getting the worst of things as she tries to get distance, so she decides to go ahead and battle at mid-range. Once again, the blonde impresses, holding her own with the older woman in what ends up being a very close round. At the bell, though, Olsen's not only blunted her rival's momentum, she's taken the points and evened the fight at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Lizzie gets it going early. She's getting the distance she wants and also creating geometry that works in her favor. Soon enough, it's Katie who's on the back foot here and there, as Austin can't seem to get punches on target, let alone put much together. Olsen blocking, slipping, dipping to go to body, landing uppercuts when Katie tries to crouch to protect that taut midsection. Austin's a day late and a dollar short throughout the round, as the Hall of Famer jumps a step ahead of her and stays there throughout. Austin's never hurt, but she's definitely taking a licking, and, when the bell rings, there's no doubt that Lizzie's grabbed the points wide and gone back in front 48-47 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Austin decides to enforce distance and she does it with the left jab and her quick feet. Blonde snapping that left into Lizzie's face again and again, moving the feet, angling, giving ground here, stepping forward there, all in an effort to foul her rival's sights and get her out of the groove she was in in the previous round. It works. And, rather than Olsen calling the tune, we've got ourselves another competitive round as Katie once again proves this isn't too big for her. As the round winds on, both fighters have moments of control, but neither is able to hold it for long and, when the bell rings, it's very close indeed, but it's Austin, and we're even at 57.

ROUND SEVEN:

Seventh starts the way the sixth ended. Austin with the jab and the feet, working for distance. She's using a ton of energy, but, there are benefits to being as fit as Katie is, and this is one of them. Olsen patient, trying to find spots to get off. Having a bit more success this round than she did in the sixth...BOOM! Right hand, KATIE and LIZZIE IS HURT! Olsen ALL WOBBLY BUTT as Austin steps forward and lets loose a barrage of heavy fire and DOWN GOES OLSEN! Former champ puddles in at Katie's feet! Austin can't resist a leap of joy, but then she's quickly to a neutral corner. Olsen face down on the canvas, repeatedly trying to push to hands and knees only to slump back to the canvas. She can't beat it! It's OVER! And your winner by KO7 in statement-making fashion is Katie Austin!

AFTER:

Austin all smiles. This is absolutely huge for her, and she knows it. "Biggest win of my career...so far," the blonde says with a grin. "She's everything she's cracked up to be and it's Hell fighting her, but I knew I could get her, and I DID."