Camille Kostek versus Blake Lively (Welterweight Title)

BEFORE:

The Unified Welterweight Championship is on the line as former champion Blake Lively looks to reclaim the straps against fellow blonde Camille Kostek. And, as you might expect from a fighter who's won 22 of her last 25 fights, Blake isn't lacking confidence. "The thing with her," Lively admits, "Is she can wear you down with that power. She's thick and hits hard. But, I'm the better boxer and the better fighter, and I'm GOING to grab those belts tonight."

"Blake's one of the better welters in the FCBA," Camille says with a smile. "But, I'm the BEST welter in the FCBA. And, I'm going to prove it again tonight."

ROUND ONE:

Tactical round as the ladies work for favorable terms. Blake has the reach, and she's using it early, sticking that long left in Camille's face to slow her down, control her. Kostek angling, working the feet, looking to close to middle distances and get off in combination. When she succeeds, she's piling up points, forcing Lively back, bringing some of that power to bear. But, at other times, it's Blake who's getting the better of things, boxing well, putting punches together, keeping the champion off balance. It's good, two-way stuff, with neither fighter able to gain any real advantage. At the bell, it's a razor-thin margin, but it's Lively who claims the points and leads 10-9.

ROUND TWO:



ROUND TWO:

More of the same, as we settle into an early pattern. Clear what the two fighters' respective fight plans are, and there's no surprise in either. Camille can box, of course, but she's best when she can use her power, get physical with her opponents. Blake, meanwhile, is best when she can box, play the scientific game. That's why both blondes are working so hard to force favorable terms, but, like in the first, neither can do so...for long. There are moments, moments when Camille is backing Blake up with hard shot. There are moments, moments when Lively's outside putting punches together, powdering Camille's face, but just moments. And, when you add them all up, it balances perfectly. Even round. 20-19 Lively.

ROUND THREE:

Pattern continues, and it's a testament to how good these two blondes are that no one can enforce terms. Again, it's all about moments, and both fighters are making the most of them. Kostek's committing more when she gets to her spots, determined to force Blake onto the back foot. Lively, meanwhile, showing a little more movement and a little more aggression following up that long accurate left with solid right hands. For the third round in a row, it's two-way stuff throughout, and it's again very close at the bell. This time, though, the champion gets herself on the board and evens this thing at 29-29 after three.

ROUND FOUR:

More of the same. Ladies working hard and working smart and DOWN GOES BLAKE! Out of NOWHERE the power of the champion makes itself known as she sits Lively down with a NASTY right hand! Camille to a neutral corner. Lively shaking her head, trying to clear it as she looks up at the referee. Blake lets the count reach eight before she rises and takes the mandatory and ON COMES THE CHAMPION. Camille THROWING HANDS NOW, backing Blake to the ropes and WORKING HER OVER TO THE BODY. Lively keeping the guard high, hanging on, tying up, doing enough to keep the ref at bay and stay on her feet to the bell. When it rings, though, Camille has it 10-8 and leads 39.37.

ROUND FIVE:

Camille walking Blake down. Lively unsteady on those long legs, and Kostek knows it. She's sitting down on everything now, looking to finish this thing, but Blake's playing it smart, staying off the ropes, keeping the guard high, defending well, frustrating the younger blonde's efforts to finish. Camille does manage to clean up for the first two minutes of the round, but, by the third, Blake's legs are back under her and she's able to move off square and get her box on. It's much to late to matter as far as the cards are concerned, as Kostek's built an insurmountable lead, but, when the bell rings, Lively's back in the fight, even if she's now down three, 49-46 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Blake takes control. Camille's used a lot of energy in the last two rounds and is looking arm-weary. The challenger notices and takes full advantage. She's on the outside working the jab, dropping right hands behind it, keeping Kostek at bay. Champion can't get to spots to get off, and is often reduced to throwing punches that end up short or late. As the round goes on, Blake becomes more dominant. She's dictating with the left in a way she hasn't been able to to this point, and it's all working to perfection. By the time the bell rings, Lively's built a big lead and takes the points wide, but, she still trails 58-56.

ROUND SEVEN:

Blake continuing to run the yard. She's finally getting the terms she wants, and she's using them very effectively, until, about a minute in, BOOM and DOWN GOES CAMILLE! A BEAUTIFUL one-two from Lively and Kostek is dropped to her back. Blake to a neutral corner as Camille stares wide-eyed at the referee. She sits up at six, however, and manages to make her feet at nine. The ref gives the champion the mandatory and ON COMES LIVELY. She BATTERS Camille back against the cables and GOES TO WORK. She's not digging body. It's ALL upstairs as she tries to finish and reclaim the titles. But, Kostek holds on to the bell. When it rings, the challenger has evened things at 66.

ROUND EIGHT:

Blake backing Camille up with hard shot, still looking to finish. Camille's sturdy legs a bit wobbly, and that's making her an easy target for Live...BOOM! Right hand counter, KOSTEK and LIVELY IS HURT! Blake staggers backward, nearly goes down, and Camille is immediately over to the offensive, winging away at the older blonde, who's suddenly in full retreat. Kostek committing on every punch, sensing the opportunity to end this thing, but it's an opportunity that will go wanting. Camille does manage to force Blake to the ropes, but the challenger hangs on in a tight guard, jabs back in spots, runs clock to the bell. The champion's taken the points wide to go back in the lead 76-75, but it's anyone's fight with two rounds to go.

ROUND NINE:

Kostek coming forward behind the left jab. She's backing the challenger up consistently, landing hard shots with both hands. Blake managing, giving ground, countering effectively in spots, but mostly on the defensive. BOOM! DOWN GOES BLAKE! Left hook from the champion and Lively crashes to her left side! Camille to a neutral corner as the referee counts over the stricken challenger. Lively rolls to her back and stares up at him, tries to sit up twice and can't do it and it's OVER! The count passes her by and it's OVER and your winner by KO9 and STILL Unified Welterweight Champion in get off the deck fashion is Camille Kostek!

AFTER:

Camille definitely looks like someone who's been in a fight...and not necessarily like the girl who won it, but the smile betrays the fact that she did. "Like I said, she's a top welter," says Camille. "But, I'm THE top welter, and people are going to have to get used to that."