Jaimie Alexander vs. Kelly Brook (LW Tournament)

BEFORE:

Alexander a girl who got a controversial title shot in her fifth FCBA fight, then made that decision look good by becoming a rising star at Alpha Boxing Club. Since the stable's collapse, however, Jaimie's been adrift and she no doubt sees this tournament as a chance to get back on track. "It's tough being an indie," Jaimie admits with a nod. "But. I'm still the same girl who took Yustman overtime for the lightweight title. Actually. I'm not. I'm BETTER than that girl. All I need is a chance to prove it."

If Alexander went from rising star to flotsam, Brook went from three-time champion and contender at two weights to being believed over the hill after the collapse of Jeri's Knockouts. That's changed in the last year or so, however, as the buxom beauty has rediscovered her form, claimed impressive scalps, and even earned herself another title shot. And, that on-form Kelly Brook is definitely capable of reclaiming the lightweight gold. "I'm not in this tournament for a payday or two. I'm in this to WIN this, and that's JUST what I'm going to bloody do!"

ROUND ONE:

Jaimie A. is nothing if not a very sturdy lightweight, but, even Ms. Alexander knows she's giving up some power against Brook, who can match heavy leather at welter. Thus, Jaimie showing plenty of respect to the Brit early. She wants to work at range, and Kelly's comfortable with that, so it's gun platform stuff. Alexander, though, the more defensive of the pair, showing more movement, working angles. She wants to box here, not trade, and she's able to make that happen, using her advantage in athleticism. Brook, however, able to box with an hold her own. If Jaimie's landing more frequent shots, Kelly's landing the harder ones. Goes like that the entire three minutes, and the result is that there's not very much in it at all. At the final bell, in fact, no one's been able to create any space at all on the cards and the first goes in the books as an even round.

ROUND TWO:

Kelly getting a little more aggressive in the second, looking to walk forward behind her left jab. And it turns out to be a mistake. Less than a minute in Alexander lands a BOOMING right hand, and Brook is GOBSMACKED! Kelly stumbling backward, nearly going down, and the American going all in, throwing everything she has at the listing Brit. Brook backed into the ropes and taking as Jaimie fires flurry after flurry at her. Kelly clearly in deep trouble and the referee is looking in closely, but Brook's hanging on, both figuratively and literally, clinching at every opportunity to slow down the assault and run some clock. Still, it appears that may not be enough. Ref on a hair trigger as Jaimie swings for glory, but, somehow, the Brit manages to stay on her feet and keep him at bay. When the bell rings, Brook's still standing, but Alexander gets the round wide and grabs a 20-19 lead.

ROUND THREE:

Jaimie goes to town. Kelly's still wobbly, so Alexander takes control early and punishes the Brit with hard combinations to the head and body. Older woman working hard just to stay off the ropes and avoid another beatdown like the one she took in the second. American really sitting down on punches, putting everything she has into them. As the round goes on, Jaimie begins working some body, slamming punches into ribs and midsection as well as the head. Brook firing back in spots, managing not to be completely overrun, but, there's no question it's a retreat, and a full one, as Jaimie takes as much canvas as she wants and lands not only more shots but the harder shots for the entire three minutes. Again, Brook manages to stay on her feet, but there's no question that, at the bell, Alexander's claimed the points wide and now leads 30-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Jaimie in control again. Kelly's sturdy legs have held her up, but they're still not all the way back. First minute sees more of Brook in retreat and Alexander running roughshod. After that, though, Kelly begins to firm up her defenses and bang back. Result is some spirited, two-way stuff, as Jaimie works hard to stay on the offensive and Kelly works just as hard to get on the lead herself. Nobody's hurt, but lots of heavy shot is exchanged, and, slowly, Brook begins to gain the edge. Final minute is a reverse of the first, with Brook now backing up Alexander with hard right hands, forcing the American to the defensive. Jaimie takes a couple of NASTY right hands in the final seconds, but she's able to ship the shot without any serious damage. At the bell, it's close, like in the first, but, this time, it's not even. Kelly's comeback has allowed her to pile up enough points to claim the round and cut Jaimie's lead to 39-38.

ROUND FIVE:

Back to ranged boxing. Alexander moving well, jabbing, wants to keep distance and box. Brook boxing with, mindful of the lesson of what can happen by getting too aggressive against the hard-hitting Jaimie. Alexander having the better of things, but Brook holding her own. Lots of combinations being traded as both fighters work hard to create openings then fill them with leather. BOOM! Two minutes in a BLISTERING right hand from the Brit and DOWN GOES JAIMIE! Alexander sent sprawling by a vicious straight right. Brook quickly to a neutral corner. American on her back staring up the ref as he counts. Somehow, she manages to get back to her feet at nine. Referee gives her the mandatory, thinks about it, then waives on Kelly. Brook all in now, battering Jaimie around the ring. Alexander reeling, nearly going down twice. Ref watching closely as Brook puts Jaimie on the ropes and makes with the big guns, but, despite Kelly's best efforts, the American survives the round. It's 10-8 for Brook, though, and Kelly now leads 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Brook all about finishing now. She's stepping to a still-buzzed Jaimie and committing on every punch. Kelly's awesome power on full display now, as she squares up the American and feeds her a steady diet of hard leather to both head and body. Jaimie is, again, nothing if not sturdy, and she's able to ship the damage and stay on her feet, but, it's definitely adding up. Alexander looking scuffed and unsteady as we head into the final minute. BOOM! Straight right from Kelly and DOWN GOES JAIMIE AGAIN! Alexander dropped to her back for the second time in as many rounds. Brook again to a neutral corner to watch and wait. Jaimie again staring, glassy-eyed at the referee as the count builds up. She makes one feeble effort to sit up but can't even manage that much, sinking back to the canvas as the count passes her by. It's OVER. And your winner by KO6 is Kelly Brook!


AFTER:

Kelly looking like she's been in a fight, but the gorgeous smile in evidence. "She can HIT for a lightweight, as well as a lot of welters can," the British beauty admits. "But, when it comes to power around here, there's nobody who's got more than I have, and it's going to carry me right back to the lightweight gold. Count on it."