Post by HBO's Boxing At The Asylum on Sept 30, 2019 12:17:17 GMT -6
BEFORE:
"The fact is," says Bar with a hard-eyed look, "I'm as good as ANY of these models, always HAVE been. And, perhaps, after I beat Arterton tonight, someone will give me another chance to PROVE it."
"Bar may well be as good as most of the models," says Gemma with a hint of a smile. "But. I'm not a model."
ROUND ONE:
O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark' by Fallout Boy, and here comes the lovely Bar Refa'eli!"
McCarthy: "Another girl with multiple FCBA wins. Someone must have hacked Weirdo's computers..."
Cassie: "It would be easier to hack the computers in the Pentagon..."
O'Dell: "Refa'eli into the ring and helped off with the ring to reveal a navy blue number with white and purple splotches and a body that's finely tuned for this one."
Tess: "No doubt she's in top shape..."
O'Dell: "And, that's 'London Calling' by The Clash, and here comes the former Unified Lightweight Champion, 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton!"
Cassie: "Gems one of just a few girls already assured of a roster spot in 2020. But, she's got an eye on reclaiming those belts, so, she's got business to take care of tonight."
O'Dell: "Arterton into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve. She's looking plenty good in that violet number she prefers. Ladies about ready to go. Time for some picks. Tess likes Gemma. Mac?"
McCarthy: "Again, this girl HAS FCBA wins. Bar!"
O'Dell: "Cassie?"
Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"
O'Dell: "There's the bell. Ladies starting at range, no surprise there, because both box well and have nice reach. Gems getting that heavy Front Street Jab on target early, following on with some solid right hands. Bar firing right back, not going to allow Gemma to take over early."
Cassie: "Not really a lot to lose for Refa'eli here. Pull an upset, though, and that could be huge."
O'Dell: "GOOD right hand by Gemma and a BETTER right from Bar! She wobbled Arterton and she DROPS HER with a follow on right hand! Arterton sent to her back midway through the first round! Bar quickly to a neutral corner. Referee's count at three. Four. Five. Six. Gemma sitting up. Seven. Eight. Arterton to her feet. Ref will give her the mandatory and waive on BAR!"
McCarthy: "Finish her NOW before the ref and the judges can hometown you!"
O'Dell: "That seems to be the plan. Refa'eli letting the hands go. Gemma backed to the ropes, keeping the guard high. Hanging on, rolling with punches, running clock, looking to get to the end of the round here. Bar trying to find the 'off' switch, but not going to do it. There's the bell. Pretty good start for Refa'eli."
Tess: "10-8 lead, not a lot of ways to start better than that."
ROUND TWO:
O'Dell: "Refa'eli taking the fight to the brunette early. Arterton still looking wobbly, and Bar taking full advantage. She's not just looking to pile up points. She's looking to finish thing thing and right now. Gemma trying to manage. Giving ground, jabbing back here and there..."
Tess: "Needs time to get the legs back."
O'Dell: "And, Bar not exactly trying to give it to her. Instead, Refa'eli training the big guns on the brunette and letting the shell fly. Gems staying off the ropes, slowing her rival just a bit, but, it's mostly been all Bar all the time here in the second, and that's going to show up on the cards at least..."
McCarthy: "Might show up in other ways, too, if Refa'eli doesn't finish. All those dings are going to add up."
O'Dell: "May well do that. For the moment, though, Gems doing well to not get overrun or stopped, because that's what the blonde's been looking to do this round. She's not been able to, but that's about all she hasn't been able to do. Ten seconds left. Good combination, Bar, and there's the bell. Refa'eli. Wide."
Cassie: "20-17. She's got the brunette in a hole."
ROUND THREE:
O'Dell: "Bar continuing to dominate as we start the third. Refa'eli's fought very well tonight, and Gemma still appears to be dealing with the effects of that first round knockdown. She seems a little steadier now, but still can't stabilize her front. The blonde continuing to back her up and land solid shot much more often than the brunette would like."
McCarthy: "I TOLD Weirdo to dump this girl with all the rest. Maybe he'll finally LISTEN..."
Cassie: "To the barely useful idiot..."
McCarthy: "You LITTLE..."
O'Dell: "Gems a solid combination there. Best stuff she's landed since the first round. Bar responds, quickly suppressing her with a pair of nice flurries. Refa'eli stepping to, banging away at Arterton. Gemma still doesn't have the legs to stop this...can't punch for respect at the moment."
Tess: "It's taking some time for the legs to come back, which tells me Arterton was more than buzzed."
O'Dell: "No doubt. Probably did very well to make it back to her feet after those two punches. But, that's not her problem now. The issue at the moment is that Bar's in control and she's close to taking a third straight round. There's the bell, and the blonde's done it. Wide."
McCarthy: "30-26. Arterton's in trouble if this gets to the cards."
ROUND FOUR:
O'Dell: "Gemma starting to get back into this now. Bar still coming forward, but she's paying a price for it. Brunette banging back, scoring with both hands. It's two-way stuff now, with both fighters landing some hard shot. GOOD right by Bar and Arterton respond with one of her own."
Cassie: "At some point, Refa'eli's going to want to dial this back a bit. If Gemma's legs are back, and it looks like they are..."
O'Dell: "And, that's exactly what the blonde appears to be doing now. Refa'eli setting up at range and getting her box on, instead of pressing forward. Gemma willing to fight on these terms. She's landing solid shot of her own, in what's shaping up to be the best round of the fight so far..."
McCarthy: "Usually, I'm not for LESS aggression, but, in this case, the little twerp may be right..."
O'Dell: "Final thirty seconds of the fourth. Gemma a good combination there and Bar responds with one of her own. Not a lot in it at the moment. Good exchange sees BOTH fighters land a hard right hand. And, there's the bell. Very, very close, but Gemma's gotten on the board."
Tess: "Still down 39-36, however."
ROUND FIVE:
O'Dell: "More ranged boxing as we start the fifth. Bar showing that excellent left jab we've seen so many times before. Arterton giving away a bit of reach here, but Gemma's a veteran and she knows how to angle and get to spots so that she can get her offense on."
Tess: "There's a reason Gemma's the first, and, so far only, Front Street light to punch her ticket on the Tenth Anniversary roster..."
McCarthy: "She still can't hold a candle to Torv!"
O'Dell: "Gemma a nice combination there, but, Bar fires right back with one of her own. Refa'eli's been very impressive so far tonight. She's a girl who's fought well against top competition before, and she's proving she can still do it with some excellent work against a top contender."
Cassie: "Playing this smart. Boxing, staying at range. Has the lead. Fighting well with it."
O'Dell: "Coming down the stretch in the fifth. Not a lot in it for the second round in a row. Both fighters having their moments, nobody creating any space at the moment. Ten seconds to go. Sharp exchange as the ladies go to it in the lead up to the bell. There it is. Close. Bar. And, she's back up four, 49-45."
ROUND SIX:
O'Dell: "Second half begins at range. Ladies working the jab, working the feet. And, Gemma with a GOOD combination. Backed up Bar with that. Might be the first time she's forced the blonde to take a backward step. And, Arterton looking to exploit now, coming forward, letting the hands go..."
Cassie: "Bar doesn't want these terms..."
O'Dell: "Might not, but she's getting them. Arterton's getting physical, taking the fight to the blonde for the first time tonight. Bar giving ground, playing defense, again playing this smart. She's not going to get caught up in a firefight with the brunette at this point...if she can help it."
Tess: "Right now, she's not able to help it."
O'Dell: "Not at the moment. Gemma right in her grill, getting off lusty. She's sitting down on her punches, looking for something big here, and there's no question she needs it. But, Bar managing, not going to allow her to land that big shot. There's the bell. Gemma. Wide."
McCarthy: "Refa'eli still up 58-55"
ROUND SEVEN:
O'Dell: "Gemma doubling down on the aggression now. She's determined to get to Bar, and Refa'eli's either got to keep giving ground and ceding the initiative, or she's going to have to hang in there and punch. Right now, the plan is to give ground and play this conservatively..."
McCarthy: "Not a bad idea. She's still got a nice lead."
O'Dell: "Gems stepping to and ROCKING HER WITH A RIGHT HAND! Bar wobbled, now clinching to stay on her feet. Gemma letting the hands go, driving the blonde back into the ropes. Refa'eli taking a POUNDING right now as the referee looks on closely..."
Cassie: "Gemma wants her out of there..."
O'Dell: "Definitely does. Bar defending better now, though, rolling with, blocking, keeping the guard high, jabbing back here and there, running clock and staying the referee's hand. Brunette just calling in strike after strike, but she's not going to be able to finish. There's the bell. Gemma. Wide."
Tess: "And, Bar's lead is down to 67-65 with three to go."
ROUND EIGHT:
O'Dell: "Arterton after Refa'eli immediately. Brunette determined to get the blonde out of there. Bar giving ground, jabbing, trying to manage this thing. Legs look better than they did, but they still aren't all the way back. Arterton stepping to, banging a little body now. Bar tying up."
Cassie: "Run clock. Any way you can."
O'Dell: "That appears to be the plan at the moment. Bar tying up again. Gemma leverages and ROCKS HER WITH A RIGHT HOOK! Bar GOBSMACKED and Arterton DROPS HER WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT! Bar blown to her back by a BLISTERING right hand from Arterton!"
Tess: "What a turn around in this fight..."
O'Dell: "Gemma to a neutral corner. Bar's eyes are open, but I'm not sure anyone is home as the referee's count reaches three. Four. Five. Six. Bar shaking her head, trying to clear it. Seven. Eight. Not going to happen. Nine. TEN! It's OVER! The count passes the blonde by and it's OVER! And your winner by KO8 is 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton!"
McCarthy: "Lucky..."
AFTER:
O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"
Tess: "I have our winner, Gemma Arterton, and, Gems, rough start..."
Gemma (nodding): "Certainly was. She's a good fighter. People forget, because she doesn't have management at the moment, but, she's been in with good fighters and beaten good fighters. She was never going to be an easy out."
Tess: "But, you GOT her out of there..."
Gemma (smiling): "Yes. Because, in the FCBA, it's not about how you start. It's about how you finish."
"The fact is," says Bar with a hard-eyed look, "I'm as good as ANY of these models, always HAVE been. And, perhaps, after I beat Arterton tonight, someone will give me another chance to PROVE it."
"Bar may well be as good as most of the models," says Gemma with a hint of a smile. "But. I'm not a model."
ROUND ONE:
O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark' by Fallout Boy, and here comes the lovely Bar Refa'eli!"
McCarthy: "Another girl with multiple FCBA wins. Someone must have hacked Weirdo's computers..."
Cassie: "It would be easier to hack the computers in the Pentagon..."
O'Dell: "Refa'eli into the ring and helped off with the ring to reveal a navy blue number with white and purple splotches and a body that's finely tuned for this one."
Tess: "No doubt she's in top shape..."
O'Dell: "And, that's 'London Calling' by The Clash, and here comes the former Unified Lightweight Champion, 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton!"
Cassie: "Gems one of just a few girls already assured of a roster spot in 2020. But, she's got an eye on reclaiming those belts, so, she's got business to take care of tonight."
O'Dell: "Arterton into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve. She's looking plenty good in that violet number she prefers. Ladies about ready to go. Time for some picks. Tess likes Gemma. Mac?"
McCarthy: "Again, this girl HAS FCBA wins. Bar!"
O'Dell: "Cassie?"
Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"
O'Dell: "There's the bell. Ladies starting at range, no surprise there, because both box well and have nice reach. Gems getting that heavy Front Street Jab on target early, following on with some solid right hands. Bar firing right back, not going to allow Gemma to take over early."
Cassie: "Not really a lot to lose for Refa'eli here. Pull an upset, though, and that could be huge."
O'Dell: "GOOD right hand by Gemma and a BETTER right from Bar! She wobbled Arterton and she DROPS HER with a follow on right hand! Arterton sent to her back midway through the first round! Bar quickly to a neutral corner. Referee's count at three. Four. Five. Six. Gemma sitting up. Seven. Eight. Arterton to her feet. Ref will give her the mandatory and waive on BAR!"
McCarthy: "Finish her NOW before the ref and the judges can hometown you!"
O'Dell: "That seems to be the plan. Refa'eli letting the hands go. Gemma backed to the ropes, keeping the guard high. Hanging on, rolling with punches, running clock, looking to get to the end of the round here. Bar trying to find the 'off' switch, but not going to do it. There's the bell. Pretty good start for Refa'eli."
Tess: "10-8 lead, not a lot of ways to start better than that."
ROUND TWO:
O'Dell: "Refa'eli taking the fight to the brunette early. Arterton still looking wobbly, and Bar taking full advantage. She's not just looking to pile up points. She's looking to finish thing thing and right now. Gemma trying to manage. Giving ground, jabbing back here and there..."
Tess: "Needs time to get the legs back."
O'Dell: "And, Bar not exactly trying to give it to her. Instead, Refa'eli training the big guns on the brunette and letting the shell fly. Gems staying off the ropes, slowing her rival just a bit, but, it's mostly been all Bar all the time here in the second, and that's going to show up on the cards at least..."
McCarthy: "Might show up in other ways, too, if Refa'eli doesn't finish. All those dings are going to add up."
O'Dell: "May well do that. For the moment, though, Gems doing well to not get overrun or stopped, because that's what the blonde's been looking to do this round. She's not been able to, but that's about all she hasn't been able to do. Ten seconds left. Good combination, Bar, and there's the bell. Refa'eli. Wide."
Cassie: "20-17. She's got the brunette in a hole."
ROUND THREE:
O'Dell: "Bar continuing to dominate as we start the third. Refa'eli's fought very well tonight, and Gemma still appears to be dealing with the effects of that first round knockdown. She seems a little steadier now, but still can't stabilize her front. The blonde continuing to back her up and land solid shot much more often than the brunette would like."
McCarthy: "I TOLD Weirdo to dump this girl with all the rest. Maybe he'll finally LISTEN..."
Cassie: "To the barely useful idiot..."
McCarthy: "You LITTLE..."
O'Dell: "Gems a solid combination there. Best stuff she's landed since the first round. Bar responds, quickly suppressing her with a pair of nice flurries. Refa'eli stepping to, banging away at Arterton. Gemma still doesn't have the legs to stop this...can't punch for respect at the moment."
Tess: "It's taking some time for the legs to come back, which tells me Arterton was more than buzzed."
O'Dell: "No doubt. Probably did very well to make it back to her feet after those two punches. But, that's not her problem now. The issue at the moment is that Bar's in control and she's close to taking a third straight round. There's the bell, and the blonde's done it. Wide."
McCarthy: "30-26. Arterton's in trouble if this gets to the cards."
ROUND FOUR:
O'Dell: "Gemma starting to get back into this now. Bar still coming forward, but she's paying a price for it. Brunette banging back, scoring with both hands. It's two-way stuff now, with both fighters landing some hard shot. GOOD right by Bar and Arterton respond with one of her own."
Cassie: "At some point, Refa'eli's going to want to dial this back a bit. If Gemma's legs are back, and it looks like they are..."
O'Dell: "And, that's exactly what the blonde appears to be doing now. Refa'eli setting up at range and getting her box on, instead of pressing forward. Gemma willing to fight on these terms. She's landing solid shot of her own, in what's shaping up to be the best round of the fight so far..."
McCarthy: "Usually, I'm not for LESS aggression, but, in this case, the little twerp may be right..."
O'Dell: "Final thirty seconds of the fourth. Gemma a good combination there and Bar responds with one of her own. Not a lot in it at the moment. Good exchange sees BOTH fighters land a hard right hand. And, there's the bell. Very, very close, but Gemma's gotten on the board."
Tess: "Still down 39-36, however."
ROUND FIVE:
O'Dell: "More ranged boxing as we start the fifth. Bar showing that excellent left jab we've seen so many times before. Arterton giving away a bit of reach here, but Gemma's a veteran and she knows how to angle and get to spots so that she can get her offense on."
Tess: "There's a reason Gemma's the first, and, so far only, Front Street light to punch her ticket on the Tenth Anniversary roster..."
McCarthy: "She still can't hold a candle to Torv!"
O'Dell: "Gemma a nice combination there, but, Bar fires right back with one of her own. Refa'eli's been very impressive so far tonight. She's a girl who's fought well against top competition before, and she's proving she can still do it with some excellent work against a top contender."
Cassie: "Playing this smart. Boxing, staying at range. Has the lead. Fighting well with it."
O'Dell: "Coming down the stretch in the fifth. Not a lot in it for the second round in a row. Both fighters having their moments, nobody creating any space at the moment. Ten seconds to go. Sharp exchange as the ladies go to it in the lead up to the bell. There it is. Close. Bar. And, she's back up four, 49-45."
ROUND SIX:
O'Dell: "Second half begins at range. Ladies working the jab, working the feet. And, Gemma with a GOOD combination. Backed up Bar with that. Might be the first time she's forced the blonde to take a backward step. And, Arterton looking to exploit now, coming forward, letting the hands go..."
Cassie: "Bar doesn't want these terms..."
O'Dell: "Might not, but she's getting them. Arterton's getting physical, taking the fight to the blonde for the first time tonight. Bar giving ground, playing defense, again playing this smart. She's not going to get caught up in a firefight with the brunette at this point...if she can help it."
Tess: "Right now, she's not able to help it."
O'Dell: "Not at the moment. Gemma right in her grill, getting off lusty. She's sitting down on her punches, looking for something big here, and there's no question she needs it. But, Bar managing, not going to allow her to land that big shot. There's the bell. Gemma. Wide."
McCarthy: "Refa'eli still up 58-55"
ROUND SEVEN:
O'Dell: "Gemma doubling down on the aggression now. She's determined to get to Bar, and Refa'eli's either got to keep giving ground and ceding the initiative, or she's going to have to hang in there and punch. Right now, the plan is to give ground and play this conservatively..."
McCarthy: "Not a bad idea. She's still got a nice lead."
O'Dell: "Gems stepping to and ROCKING HER WITH A RIGHT HAND! Bar wobbled, now clinching to stay on her feet. Gemma letting the hands go, driving the blonde back into the ropes. Refa'eli taking a POUNDING right now as the referee looks on closely..."
Cassie: "Gemma wants her out of there..."
O'Dell: "Definitely does. Bar defending better now, though, rolling with, blocking, keeping the guard high, jabbing back here and there, running clock and staying the referee's hand. Brunette just calling in strike after strike, but she's not going to be able to finish. There's the bell. Gemma. Wide."
Tess: "And, Bar's lead is down to 67-65 with three to go."
ROUND EIGHT:
O'Dell: "Arterton after Refa'eli immediately. Brunette determined to get the blonde out of there. Bar giving ground, jabbing, trying to manage this thing. Legs look better than they did, but they still aren't all the way back. Arterton stepping to, banging a little body now. Bar tying up."
Cassie: "Run clock. Any way you can."
O'Dell: "That appears to be the plan at the moment. Bar tying up again. Gemma leverages and ROCKS HER WITH A RIGHT HOOK! Bar GOBSMACKED and Arterton DROPS HER WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT! Bar blown to her back by a BLISTERING right hand from Arterton!"
Tess: "What a turn around in this fight..."
O'Dell: "Gemma to a neutral corner. Bar's eyes are open, but I'm not sure anyone is home as the referee's count reaches three. Four. Five. Six. Bar shaking her head, trying to clear it. Seven. Eight. Not going to happen. Nine. TEN! It's OVER! The count passes the blonde by and it's OVER! And your winner by KO8 is 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton!"
McCarthy: "Lucky..."
AFTER:
O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"
Tess: "I have our winner, Gemma Arterton, and, Gems, rough start..."
Gemma (nodding): "Certainly was. She's a good fighter. People forget, because she doesn't have management at the moment, but, she's been in with good fighters and beaten good fighters. She was never going to be an easy out."
Tess: "But, you GOT her out of there..."
Gemma (smiling): "Yes. Because, in the FCBA, it's not about how you start. It's about how you finish."