Post by Results: Lookout! Words: Wiz on Oct 31, 2016 19:17:02 GMT -6
BEFORE:
"There's no question she's shown she can fight at a high level," says Sarah with a gorgeous smile. "But. She can't fight at my level. As she's about to find out."
"Shahi is a champion, no doubt about that," says Leighton with a nod. "But, let's not forget, I've been in with champions. Carter. Panettiere. Kelly. Duff. Lowndes. It's not too big for me. And, neither is she."
ROUND ONE:
O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'Somebody To Love' and that means the singer of that particular version of the song, 'The Marco Island Mauler', Leighton Meester, dressed up like the sexiest referee you'll ever see, is on her way to the ring."
Cassie: "Meester coming out first tonight because she has fought Shahi. Both fights came before she was traded to Front Street. One was in 2012, and Shahi won by second round KO. The rematch was on 'JMD Rookies NIght' in February, 2013. Shahi came out on top via 7th round TKO."
McCarthy: "So, what you're saying is that Shahi has already beaten this Dancing Hooker twice and there's no reason to think she won't do it a third time..."
O'Dell: "Meester into the ring and helped off with the costume by Jewel and Neve. She's wearing that pink number she likes. And, that's 'Ride' by Ciara you hear, and that's not Poison Ivy coming to ringside, but former flyweight champion Sarah Shahi!"
McCarthy: "You know, I kind of like this Shahi. And, she's pretty hot. Not quite 'Playboy' hot, but close..."
Tess: "Sarah a girl who's right in the title conversation at flyweight and has been for some time. Big fight for her tonight, and, of course, a big one for Leighton, too, since Meester could, with a win, maybe grab the top spot in Front Street's flyweight pecking order."
O'Dell: "Sarah into the ring, helped off with the costume by the Odds and Ends corner. She's wearing a yellow two-piece that shows off a body DEFINITELY hot enough for 'Playboy' and the ladies are about ready to go. Time for some picks. Tess likes Sarah. Mac?"
McCarthy: "Like I said, Shahi's already won twice. She'll win again."
O'Dell: "Cassie?"
Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"
O'Dell: "And, we're underway. This starting to set up the way you'd think. Sarah all about speed, quickness, foot movement. Leighton's more of a tactical fighter, want to get her left established, fight off it with right hands. She'll want to bring that power, which is considerable for the flyweight division, to bear..."
Cassie: "And, Sarah won't make that easy. Shahi is very hard to hit. And, she can also hit plenty hard."
O'Dell: "Lot of feeling out going on here. Two contenders showing one another plenty of respect. And, as we've pointed out, they've been here before, so they know on another pretty well. Half way through the round and not much doing. Shahi showing those legs. Popping that jab. Meester moving the feet, trying to cut her off."
McCarthy: "This may be what you see from these two most of the night. And, there's no way Meester wins unless she lands something lucky."
O'Dell: "Final twenty seconds of the first. Shahi circling, popping the jab. Meester soundly stalking. Making Sarah work to stay in open canvas. Ten seconds to go. Quick exchange goes Meester's way, but Sarah's long gone before anything else can happen and there's the bell. Close to Shahi."
Tess: "Shahi may be 36, but she doesn't move like she's 36."
ROUND TWO:
O'Dell: "More of the same in the second. It's Shahi on her bicycle and Meester looking to jam a stick in the spokes. Sarah not just quick but slick. She's here, there, and everywhere, but nowhere at the same time. Leighton not getting frustrated, though. Keeping on keeping on. When she can bring Shahi to battle, she's scoring well..."
McCarthy: "Not doing it enough, though, and that's the problem. Sarah's calling the tune right now."
O'Dell: "She is, and it's up tempo, no question about that. Those 36-year-old legs can still move, but the question may be, can they move like this for ten rounds. We'll see if it comes to that. Right now, however, it's the former champion having the better of things as she bounces and misbehaves."
Cassie: "Like what Meester's doing, though. She's staying after her. She's got some reach and she's using it to land a good flurry here and there."
O'Dell: "Landed one right there, but Shahi a good counter and then she's gone. Sarah on her toes as she has been for the entire fight so far. That left hand coiled like a snake and it strikes out sharply, and she's landing a good percentage with it. Five seconds to go. Good right hand, Meester at the bell. Close again. Shahi."
Tess: "And, this isn't the start Meester wanted, down 20-18 after two."
ROUND THREE:
O'Dell: "Shahi right back to her movement. Circling wide, popping that jab. Making Meester work to close and get anything home. Leighton having a bit more success this round, though. She's getting the geometry and timing down a bit. Getting the ring cut. Getting some solid shot on target."
Tess: "Shahi landing some of her own in those trades. It's not one way."
O'Dell: "Most certainly is not, but this is more what Leighton wants. She has the reach. She's a good boxer. She can land a good percentage. If she can do this, she can win this fight. And, she's doing more of it here in the third than she's been able to do previously. Shahi bobbing the head, changing direction..."
Cassie: "She's not going to make it easy on Leighton, that's for sure. If she wants to, Shahi can get into a firefight with just about anyone in the division and do just fine. But, she has better options in this one."
O'Dell: "And, she's chosen one of those options. And, as we've pointed out, we may get to the point where something has to give. If we're in a long-term situation here, it may become a matter of who has the most left when we get into the late rounds. For the moment, though, both fighters looking plenty solid at the bell ending the third. Close. Meester."
McCarthy: "And, the Dancing Hooker avoids the 3-0 hole, but still trails 29-28."
ROUND FOUR:
O'Dell: "More of the better stuff from Leighton. She's getting punches put together better than she has all night. Sarah still making it tough, showing the head, hand, and especially foot movement. Meester getting to her spots now, and, just as importantly, forcing Shahi to spots where Sarah doesn't want to be."
Tess: "I like what Leighton's doing here. She's trying to get physical, and that's a good idea."
O'Dell: "She is, indeed, and, if she has an advantage in this one, that's where it would be. Half way through the fourth. Leighton cuts off Shahi and lands a head-body combination. Sarah lashes back with a one-two of her own, then slips away and circles again. Meester right back forward, hooking the ribs now..."
Cassie: "And, if you want to talk about who has the most left late, working the body can kill the legs. And, I'm sure that's part of Leighton's game plan."
O'Dell: "Down the stretch in our fourth straight competitive round. Meester stepping to, backing Shahi up with a solid combination. Sarah circling away, jabbing, LASHING a solid right hand that got her rival's attention. Leighton right back to stalking. Shahi popping the jab, bouncing away, and there's the bell. Meester close again."
McCarthy: "38-38. All even after four."
ROUND FIVE:
O'Dell: "Meester finding that range early. She's tracking down Shahi and letting her have it with heavy leather. Sarah slippin' and dippin' and banging back in counter, but, for the first time, Meester's fighting lead and throwing the former champ onto the defensive. Leighton getting some mustard on those right hands, Mac..."
McCarthy: "She's also doing a great job of cutting the ring. Shahi can't get space at the moment, but that will change."
O'Dell: "Probably will, because, again, Sarah was champ for a reason. For now, though, Leighton in charge. She's hooking some body off hard left hands to the head. Shahi making her pay in spots with sharp counter flurries, but Sarah doing a lot of covering up and taking quite a bit of fire right now..."
Cassie: "Anybody who doesn't think Meester belongs with the top girls in the division should be watching this."
O'Dell: "I suspect some minds are being changed. Then again, most of those minds should have been changed already. Meester backing Shahi up now, working the midsection and the ribs with hooks off hard right hands to the head. Ten seconds to go in the fifth round. Sarah slips away, begins jabbing and bouncing and there's the bell. Meester and wide."
Tess: "And, Leighton in the lead 48-47."
ROUND SIX:
O'Dell: "Meester making with the pressure to start the sixth. She's after Shahi in a big way. Sarah giving ground in wide circles, wants space to jab, then stop and pop. Leighton not giving it to her. She's got the timing down now. She's finding Shahi with the jab, then either hooking body or dropping in rights to the head."
McCarthy: "Sarah needs to be more active in counter. Not doing enough right now."
O'Dell: "Meester a couple of good body shots and a RIGHT HAND FROM SHAHI! Leighton staggered by that counter..."
McCarthy: "TOLD you!"
O'Dell: "Leighton covers up. Sarah a HUGE FLURRY AND MEESTER TAKES A KNEE! What a turnaround for Sarah Shahi! Former champ to a neutral corner. Count at three. Four. Five. Six. Meester to her feet at seven. Referee gives her the mandatory then waives Sarah forward. Shahi quickly to work..."
Cassie: "This is where those quick, sharp punches are really a problem. You don't have legs and you're a sitting duck."
O'Dell: "And, Shahi cleaning Meester up effectively, driving her right back to the ropes and having at it. Thirty seconds to go in the round and it's going to be a long 30 seconds for Leighton. Sarah all OVER her. Meester doing enough to stay alive, but no more than that. Five seconds to go. One last flurry from Shahi and there's the bell. Leighton survives, but that's all she does."
Tess: "And, Sarah's back on top, 57-56."
ROUND SEVEN:
O'Dell: "Shahi in command as we start the seventh. Meester still a little wobbly. Sarah's had her clean up and now she's taking charge of the fight. She's back on the bike, circling, jabbing, stopping, popping. Meester heavy legged. Can't track her down. The former champ just so quick in there..."
McCarthy: "This is the advantage of being an athletic fighter like Sarah and, of course, Mac The Knife. She's controlling this round with her speed."
O'Dell: "No doubt about it, Mac. Shahi in charge. Meester taking solid shot, can't get much going offensively. She's game. She's trying to cut the ring and slow Sarah down, but she's having absolutely no success doing it. And, this is smart stuff from Shahi. She's getting her leather on, but not trying to do too much and take chances..."
Tess: "Excellent point, Jenny. She's not going all in for the stoppage here. Letting it come to her, rather than take the chance Leighton will turn things with a counter punch."
O'Dell: "Twenty seconds to go in the seventh. Sarah's been in charge the whole way. She's dancing, bouncing, snapping jabs. She's got this one in her pocket and knows it. Not going to try to do much else. Meester takes a nice, quick combination to the head and there's the bell. Shahi wide, ladies."
Cassie: "And, Sarah's up 67-65 with three to go."
ROUND EIGHT:
O'Dell: "If there was any question about how long Shahi's legs would last, that question's been answered. Here we are in the eighth round and the former champ still dancing, still bouncing, still showing all the speed and quickness we saw in the early going. She's on her toes, uncoiling that left, banging it into Meester's face..."
Tess: "Credit to Leighton here. Still doesn't have the legs back all the way, but, she's determined to get after Sarah."
O'Dell: "And, she's taking a beating for her troubles. Shahi with that speedy left hand, peppering Leighton's face on the move. Then, when she has an opportunity, Shahi stops, puts together a quick flurry, and gets right back to dancing. Meester just unable to slow her down right now, so Shahi's in total control."
Cassie: "And, the longer this goes on, the better for Sarah. She's got the lead and the clock is running on Meester."
O'Dell: "That it is, and this entire fight may have come down to one punch, the counter right Sarah landed in the sixth that turned everything around. Of course, it's not just the opportunity the punch gave Sarah, but what she did with it, and what she's done is take command of the fight. There's the bell ending the eighth. Shahi wide again."
McCarthy: "And, it's all but over. 77-74 with two to go."
ROUND NINE:
O'Dell: "Sarah going to dance some more in the ninth. Meester moving better now, she's beginning to cut her off again, bring her to battle in spots. Shahi firing back in the exchanges, but keeping them short. She has the lead, and she plans to keep it. Leighton has other plans, of course..."
McCarthy: "Needs something big and she knows it. Got to stay after her."
O'Dell: "And, that's what the Front Streeter is doing. She's finding with that jab again, then either following with hard right hands or going body with hooks. It's effective. But, again, Sarah keeping this as short as possible. Wants to spend as much time as she can in open canvas, where she can jab and even run a little clock..."
Tess: "And, that's a good point, Jenny. A veteran fighter like Sarah knows exactly where she is in a round and in the fight. She knows if the bell rings to end the tenth and she's been standing the entire time between now and then, she's the winner."
O'Dell: "And, Meester knows that Sarah can't be standing. That's why, when she can track her down, she's committing on hard right hands. She's looking for something big, but that's not easy to find when the other fighter knows you have to have it. Final seconds of the ninth. Meester one more good left/right and there's the bell. Close. Leighton."
Cassie: "And, it's 86-84. A two-point lead for Sarah with one round to go."
ROUND TEN:
O'Dell: "Tenth begins with Shahi legging. She's clearly confident in the lead she's built and is going to take no chances with Meester. Leighton after her aggressively. Nothing sloppy from the Front Streeter, but she's in full chase mode now, knowing she's got to get something done in the last three minutes..."
McCarthy: "We're going to start calling that 'pulling an Upton', because Kate seems to be pretty good at pulling out fights in the tenth."
O'Dell: "Shahi bouncin' and behavin' right now. Snapping out that jab, circling, dancing. No question the legs can still last ten rounds after tonight. Meester closes, cuts, works some body, goes back upstairs and lands a good right hand. Shahi slips away and begins dancing on her toes again."
Cassie: "Sarah just a smart, veteran fighter and she's showing that now. Leighton's going to win this round, but..."
O'Dell: "But, indeed. Meester closes, again bangs body and works upstairs. Shahi ties up, slips away. Twenty seconds to go in this one. Sarah legging this round out, just as we suspected she might. Meester at her again. Solid combination. Shahi again dances away and there's the bell. It's over. And, if our cards are right..."
Tess: "We're about to find out. Decision being announced."
O'Dell: "And, it's just as we suspected, 95-94 for your winner by UD10, Sarah Shahi!"
AFTER:
O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"
Tess: "I have our winner, Sarah Shahi, and, Sarah, tough fight tonight..."
Sarah: "I knew it would be. She's the best Front Street has at flyweight. She can fight. But, the thing is, she's not a champion. Not quite. And I am. There's a difference."
Tess: "What's the difference, other than, of course, having won a championship?"
Sarah: "It's about making the plays when you have to make them, doing the things you need to do to win. I did those things tonight, and that's why my hand got raised."
"There's no question she's shown she can fight at a high level," says Sarah with a gorgeous smile. "But. She can't fight at my level. As she's about to find out."
"Shahi is a champion, no doubt about that," says Leighton with a nod. "But, let's not forget, I've been in with champions. Carter. Panettiere. Kelly. Duff. Lowndes. It's not too big for me. And, neither is she."
ROUND ONE:
O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'Somebody To Love' and that means the singer of that particular version of the song, 'The Marco Island Mauler', Leighton Meester, dressed up like the sexiest referee you'll ever see, is on her way to the ring."
Cassie: "Meester coming out first tonight because she has fought Shahi. Both fights came before she was traded to Front Street. One was in 2012, and Shahi won by second round KO. The rematch was on 'JMD Rookies NIght' in February, 2013. Shahi came out on top via 7th round TKO."
McCarthy: "So, what you're saying is that Shahi has already beaten this Dancing Hooker twice and there's no reason to think she won't do it a third time..."
O'Dell: "Meester into the ring and helped off with the costume by Jewel and Neve. She's wearing that pink number she likes. And, that's 'Ride' by Ciara you hear, and that's not Poison Ivy coming to ringside, but former flyweight champion Sarah Shahi!"
McCarthy: "You know, I kind of like this Shahi. And, she's pretty hot. Not quite 'Playboy' hot, but close..."
Tess: "Sarah a girl who's right in the title conversation at flyweight and has been for some time. Big fight for her tonight, and, of course, a big one for Leighton, too, since Meester could, with a win, maybe grab the top spot in Front Street's flyweight pecking order."
O'Dell: "Sarah into the ring, helped off with the costume by the Odds and Ends corner. She's wearing a yellow two-piece that shows off a body DEFINITELY hot enough for 'Playboy' and the ladies are about ready to go. Time for some picks. Tess likes Sarah. Mac?"
McCarthy: "Like I said, Shahi's already won twice. She'll win again."
O'Dell: "Cassie?"
Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"
O'Dell: "And, we're underway. This starting to set up the way you'd think. Sarah all about speed, quickness, foot movement. Leighton's more of a tactical fighter, want to get her left established, fight off it with right hands. She'll want to bring that power, which is considerable for the flyweight division, to bear..."
Cassie: "And, Sarah won't make that easy. Shahi is very hard to hit. And, she can also hit plenty hard."
O'Dell: "Lot of feeling out going on here. Two contenders showing one another plenty of respect. And, as we've pointed out, they've been here before, so they know on another pretty well. Half way through the round and not much doing. Shahi showing those legs. Popping that jab. Meester moving the feet, trying to cut her off."
McCarthy: "This may be what you see from these two most of the night. And, there's no way Meester wins unless she lands something lucky."
O'Dell: "Final twenty seconds of the first. Shahi circling, popping the jab. Meester soundly stalking. Making Sarah work to stay in open canvas. Ten seconds to go. Quick exchange goes Meester's way, but Sarah's long gone before anything else can happen and there's the bell. Close to Shahi."
Tess: "Shahi may be 36, but she doesn't move like she's 36."
ROUND TWO:
O'Dell: "More of the same in the second. It's Shahi on her bicycle and Meester looking to jam a stick in the spokes. Sarah not just quick but slick. She's here, there, and everywhere, but nowhere at the same time. Leighton not getting frustrated, though. Keeping on keeping on. When she can bring Shahi to battle, she's scoring well..."
McCarthy: "Not doing it enough, though, and that's the problem. Sarah's calling the tune right now."
O'Dell: "She is, and it's up tempo, no question about that. Those 36-year-old legs can still move, but the question may be, can they move like this for ten rounds. We'll see if it comes to that. Right now, however, it's the former champion having the better of things as she bounces and misbehaves."
Cassie: "Like what Meester's doing, though. She's staying after her. She's got some reach and she's using it to land a good flurry here and there."
O'Dell: "Landed one right there, but Shahi a good counter and then she's gone. Sarah on her toes as she has been for the entire fight so far. That left hand coiled like a snake and it strikes out sharply, and she's landing a good percentage with it. Five seconds to go. Good right hand, Meester at the bell. Close again. Shahi."
Tess: "And, this isn't the start Meester wanted, down 20-18 after two."
ROUND THREE:
O'Dell: "Shahi right back to her movement. Circling wide, popping that jab. Making Meester work to close and get anything home. Leighton having a bit more success this round, though. She's getting the geometry and timing down a bit. Getting the ring cut. Getting some solid shot on target."
Tess: "Shahi landing some of her own in those trades. It's not one way."
O'Dell: "Most certainly is not, but this is more what Leighton wants. She has the reach. She's a good boxer. She can land a good percentage. If she can do this, she can win this fight. And, she's doing more of it here in the third than she's been able to do previously. Shahi bobbing the head, changing direction..."
Cassie: "She's not going to make it easy on Leighton, that's for sure. If she wants to, Shahi can get into a firefight with just about anyone in the division and do just fine. But, she has better options in this one."
O'Dell: "And, she's chosen one of those options. And, as we've pointed out, we may get to the point where something has to give. If we're in a long-term situation here, it may become a matter of who has the most left when we get into the late rounds. For the moment, though, both fighters looking plenty solid at the bell ending the third. Close. Meester."
McCarthy: "And, the Dancing Hooker avoids the 3-0 hole, but still trails 29-28."
ROUND FOUR:
O'Dell: "More of the better stuff from Leighton. She's getting punches put together better than she has all night. Sarah still making it tough, showing the head, hand, and especially foot movement. Meester getting to her spots now, and, just as importantly, forcing Shahi to spots where Sarah doesn't want to be."
Tess: "I like what Leighton's doing here. She's trying to get physical, and that's a good idea."
O'Dell: "She is, indeed, and, if she has an advantage in this one, that's where it would be. Half way through the fourth. Leighton cuts off Shahi and lands a head-body combination. Sarah lashes back with a one-two of her own, then slips away and circles again. Meester right back forward, hooking the ribs now..."
Cassie: "And, if you want to talk about who has the most left late, working the body can kill the legs. And, I'm sure that's part of Leighton's game plan."
O'Dell: "Down the stretch in our fourth straight competitive round. Meester stepping to, backing Shahi up with a solid combination. Sarah circling away, jabbing, LASHING a solid right hand that got her rival's attention. Leighton right back to stalking. Shahi popping the jab, bouncing away, and there's the bell. Meester close again."
McCarthy: "38-38. All even after four."
ROUND FIVE:
O'Dell: "Meester finding that range early. She's tracking down Shahi and letting her have it with heavy leather. Sarah slippin' and dippin' and banging back in counter, but, for the first time, Meester's fighting lead and throwing the former champ onto the defensive. Leighton getting some mustard on those right hands, Mac..."
McCarthy: "She's also doing a great job of cutting the ring. Shahi can't get space at the moment, but that will change."
O'Dell: "Probably will, because, again, Sarah was champ for a reason. For now, though, Leighton in charge. She's hooking some body off hard left hands to the head. Shahi making her pay in spots with sharp counter flurries, but Sarah doing a lot of covering up and taking quite a bit of fire right now..."
Cassie: "Anybody who doesn't think Meester belongs with the top girls in the division should be watching this."
O'Dell: "I suspect some minds are being changed. Then again, most of those minds should have been changed already. Meester backing Shahi up now, working the midsection and the ribs with hooks off hard right hands to the head. Ten seconds to go in the fifth round. Sarah slips away, begins jabbing and bouncing and there's the bell. Meester and wide."
Tess: "And, Leighton in the lead 48-47."
ROUND SIX:
O'Dell: "Meester making with the pressure to start the sixth. She's after Shahi in a big way. Sarah giving ground in wide circles, wants space to jab, then stop and pop. Leighton not giving it to her. She's got the timing down now. She's finding Shahi with the jab, then either hooking body or dropping in rights to the head."
McCarthy: "Sarah needs to be more active in counter. Not doing enough right now."
O'Dell: "Meester a couple of good body shots and a RIGHT HAND FROM SHAHI! Leighton staggered by that counter..."
McCarthy: "TOLD you!"
O'Dell: "Leighton covers up. Sarah a HUGE FLURRY AND MEESTER TAKES A KNEE! What a turnaround for Sarah Shahi! Former champ to a neutral corner. Count at three. Four. Five. Six. Meester to her feet at seven. Referee gives her the mandatory then waives Sarah forward. Shahi quickly to work..."
Cassie: "This is where those quick, sharp punches are really a problem. You don't have legs and you're a sitting duck."
O'Dell: "And, Shahi cleaning Meester up effectively, driving her right back to the ropes and having at it. Thirty seconds to go in the round and it's going to be a long 30 seconds for Leighton. Sarah all OVER her. Meester doing enough to stay alive, but no more than that. Five seconds to go. One last flurry from Shahi and there's the bell. Leighton survives, but that's all she does."
Tess: "And, Sarah's back on top, 57-56."
ROUND SEVEN:
O'Dell: "Shahi in command as we start the seventh. Meester still a little wobbly. Sarah's had her clean up and now she's taking charge of the fight. She's back on the bike, circling, jabbing, stopping, popping. Meester heavy legged. Can't track her down. The former champ just so quick in there..."
McCarthy: "This is the advantage of being an athletic fighter like Sarah and, of course, Mac The Knife. She's controlling this round with her speed."
O'Dell: "No doubt about it, Mac. Shahi in charge. Meester taking solid shot, can't get much going offensively. She's game. She's trying to cut the ring and slow Sarah down, but she's having absolutely no success doing it. And, this is smart stuff from Shahi. She's getting her leather on, but not trying to do too much and take chances..."
Tess: "Excellent point, Jenny. She's not going all in for the stoppage here. Letting it come to her, rather than take the chance Leighton will turn things with a counter punch."
O'Dell: "Twenty seconds to go in the seventh. Sarah's been in charge the whole way. She's dancing, bouncing, snapping jabs. She's got this one in her pocket and knows it. Not going to try to do much else. Meester takes a nice, quick combination to the head and there's the bell. Shahi wide, ladies."
Cassie: "And, Sarah's up 67-65 with three to go."
ROUND EIGHT:
O'Dell: "If there was any question about how long Shahi's legs would last, that question's been answered. Here we are in the eighth round and the former champ still dancing, still bouncing, still showing all the speed and quickness we saw in the early going. She's on her toes, uncoiling that left, banging it into Meester's face..."
Tess: "Credit to Leighton here. Still doesn't have the legs back all the way, but, she's determined to get after Sarah."
O'Dell: "And, she's taking a beating for her troubles. Shahi with that speedy left hand, peppering Leighton's face on the move. Then, when she has an opportunity, Shahi stops, puts together a quick flurry, and gets right back to dancing. Meester just unable to slow her down right now, so Shahi's in total control."
Cassie: "And, the longer this goes on, the better for Sarah. She's got the lead and the clock is running on Meester."
O'Dell: "That it is, and this entire fight may have come down to one punch, the counter right Sarah landed in the sixth that turned everything around. Of course, it's not just the opportunity the punch gave Sarah, but what she did with it, and what she's done is take command of the fight. There's the bell ending the eighth. Shahi wide again."
McCarthy: "And, it's all but over. 77-74 with two to go."
ROUND NINE:
O'Dell: "Sarah going to dance some more in the ninth. Meester moving better now, she's beginning to cut her off again, bring her to battle in spots. Shahi firing back in the exchanges, but keeping them short. She has the lead, and she plans to keep it. Leighton has other plans, of course..."
McCarthy: "Needs something big and she knows it. Got to stay after her."
O'Dell: "And, that's what the Front Streeter is doing. She's finding with that jab again, then either following with hard right hands or going body with hooks. It's effective. But, again, Sarah keeping this as short as possible. Wants to spend as much time as she can in open canvas, where she can jab and even run a little clock..."
Tess: "And, that's a good point, Jenny. A veteran fighter like Sarah knows exactly where she is in a round and in the fight. She knows if the bell rings to end the tenth and she's been standing the entire time between now and then, she's the winner."
O'Dell: "And, Meester knows that Sarah can't be standing. That's why, when she can track her down, she's committing on hard right hands. She's looking for something big, but that's not easy to find when the other fighter knows you have to have it. Final seconds of the ninth. Meester one more good left/right and there's the bell. Close. Leighton."
Cassie: "And, it's 86-84. A two-point lead for Sarah with one round to go."
ROUND TEN:
O'Dell: "Tenth begins with Shahi legging. She's clearly confident in the lead she's built and is going to take no chances with Meester. Leighton after her aggressively. Nothing sloppy from the Front Streeter, but she's in full chase mode now, knowing she's got to get something done in the last three minutes..."
McCarthy: "We're going to start calling that 'pulling an Upton', because Kate seems to be pretty good at pulling out fights in the tenth."
O'Dell: "Shahi bouncin' and behavin' right now. Snapping out that jab, circling, dancing. No question the legs can still last ten rounds after tonight. Meester closes, cuts, works some body, goes back upstairs and lands a good right hand. Shahi slips away and begins dancing on her toes again."
Cassie: "Sarah just a smart, veteran fighter and she's showing that now. Leighton's going to win this round, but..."
O'Dell: "But, indeed. Meester closes, again bangs body and works upstairs. Shahi ties up, slips away. Twenty seconds to go in this one. Sarah legging this round out, just as we suspected she might. Meester at her again. Solid combination. Shahi again dances away and there's the bell. It's over. And, if our cards are right..."
Tess: "We're about to find out. Decision being announced."
O'Dell: "And, it's just as we suspected, 95-94 for your winner by UD10, Sarah Shahi!"
AFTER:
O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"
Tess: "I have our winner, Sarah Shahi, and, Sarah, tough fight tonight..."
Sarah: "I knew it would be. She's the best Front Street has at flyweight. She can fight. But, the thing is, she's not a champion. Not quite. And I am. There's a difference."
Tess: "What's the difference, other than, of course, having won a championship?"
Sarah: "It's about making the plays when you have to make them, doing the things you need to do to win. I did those things tonight, and that's why my hand got raised."