Emily VanCamp vs. Laura Pausini

BEFORE:

Blonde former bantam champ Emily is a solid favorite over the brunette slugger in this one, but the Canadian isn't taking the Italian for granted. "She's a slugger," says Em with a nod, "No doubt about that. And, she's got the power to make her very dangerous. However. I know how to handle that kind of fighter. And, I will."

"Nobody expects me to win," says Laura with a shrug. "And, they're all about to be surprised."

ROUND ONE:

No surprise early, as VanCamp wants to box at middle distances, and the former champion's able to make that happen. And, when she does, she quickly takes control. Because, you aren't likely beating Emily on Emily's ter...BOOM! Straight right from Laura and VanCamp is HURT! And, the Italian is all IN! Pausini winging away at Emily, driving her back into the ropes, and letting her have it with both hands. VanCamp in DEEP trouble, pinned to the cables and taking heavy fire. Laura head hunting all the way, ignoring the fire sale VanCamp is running on the body. She's not going to play the attrition game here. She wants to finish and right now. EVC hanging on in a high guard, rolling with punches, leaning back in the ropes, running clock. She's taking a licking but continuing to tick, and, when the bell rings, she's still on her feet. But. It's Laura who's claimed it wide to lead 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

Pausini still looking to finish. She's right in Emily's grill to start the round, backing her up, sitting down on punches, making with heavy leather. VanCamp giving ground, effecting a fighting retreat. Slowly, the blonde's legs begin to come around, and, when that happens, she's able to hold canvas and start to hold her own in the exchanges. By mid-round, VanCamp's shaken off the damage and she's back to work at middle distances, boxing, slipping rejoinders, doing what she does best. Pausini now taking the worst of things. She's hanging in there, firing back aggressively, but the blonde's landing the majority of the punches and doing the majority of the damage. By the final seconds, EVC has made up the stagger and is pulling in front. At the bell, she's done enough to claim the points close and even the contest at 19.

ROUND THREE:

EVC back to getting her box on...BOOM! Right hand, Pausini AGAIN! Laura BLASTS Emily for the second time tonight, leaving the Canadian's knees to do a shimmy! Crowd on its feet as Laura goes ALL IN, winging away at the blonde, sending her stumbling back into the ropes where the Italian begins calling in the artillery for the second time in three rounds. EVC listing badly as the brunette makes with the heavy guns, shelling away without any concern for the few punches coming back at her. Again, VanCamp leaning back into the ropes in a high guard, trying to run clock as Laura head hunts, looking to shut down the power to the blonde's sturdy legs. Final thirty seconds sees the Canadian taking as much punishment as she has in her career, but, somehow, she's able to stay on her feet to the bell. It's a shutout for Laura, though, the brunette's back on the lead, 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Laura stepping to Emily, banging away, driving her backward. VanCamp again makes with the fighting retreat as the brunette continues sitting down on everyth...BOOM! Right-hand counter from EVC and now LAURA is hurt! Emily times one about as well as you can time one and now the brunette's sturdy legs give a shimmy! And, Emily immediately switches over to the offensive. She's letting the hands go, backing up Pausini, forcing her to cover up. Laura, with a muzzy head and wobbly legs is an easy target for the heavy leather the Canadian is tossing at her. She's being squared up and punished by the blonde, who's doing some sitting down on punches of her own. Final thirty seconds see Laura pinned to the ropes and taking and Emily ignoring the body as she works the head looking for a stoppage. Doesn't happen, however. Pausini survives the round. It's EVC wide, though. And we're even at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Emily determined to finish. She's right after Laura off the bell. Pausini, however, holding ground and banging right back and we've got a FIREFIGHT in the middle of the ring! Canadian blonde and Italian brunette having AT IT, reefing heavy leather at one another in dual efforts to impose will, and, while both fighters want to do the imposing, nobody's willing to be imposed ON. Result is heavy exchange after heavy exchange, with neither fighter gaining much of an advantage. That changes in the final half minute, as Pausini begins backing up the Canadian, forcing her to cover up. Slugging Italian begins to take control, thumping away at the retreating Canadian. Emily's never hurt, but Laura's able to build up some points, and those points make all the difference. At the bell, it's close, but it's Pausini, and Laura leads 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Pausini continues coming forward. She's found something now. She's got Ems on the back foot, and she's KEEPING the former champion there with heavy leather. VanCamp reduced to the counter. She's managing to land that way, but it's Laura who's in control and getting more done. BOOM! A minute in a counter from VanCamp sends Pausini STAGGERING! Laura stumbles, nearly goes down and then is DROPPED by a left hook from Emily! VanCamp to a neutral corner to watch and wait. But, no love for EVC. Pausini up at six to take the mandatory. And, the ref waives on the Canadian! VanCamp immediately in seek and destroy mode. She's letting the hands go, driving the Italian into the ropes and calling in wave after wave of heavy artillery. Laura hanging on, jabbing back in spots, but taking a terrific beating and IT'S OVER! The ref leaps in and cradles the Italian to safety and it's OVER! And your winner by TKO7 is Emily VanCamp!

AFTER:

EVC looking a little scuffed in the post-fight. "She can hit," admits the blonde. "No doubt about it. But, you've got to deal with that at this weight. I can. I did. And I'll continue to do so on my way to the title."