Post by Lookout! Boxing on Jul 31, 2021 4:13:09 GMT -6
Kennedy McMann vs. Gigi Hadid (Results: Lookout! Words: Wiz)
BEFORE:
Two women in need of a win. McMann is currently sitting fifth in a five-woman Front Street lightweight division and coming off a second pay-per-view disappointment. As for Gigi, it seems like a long time ago that she burst onto the scene as a welterweight contender and even got a title shot against Kate Upton. Because it was. Nearly FIVE YEARS ago. And, while Gigi is still only 26, her record since her first full year in the FCBA is a grisly 3-15. But, if either fighter is sweating this one, well, you can't tell in the pre-fight. "I KNOW what I'm capable of," says a hard-eyed Kennedy. "Yes, people are doubting me now. And, that's just giving me more incentive to get rolling and prove them all WRONG."
"I've been in with some of the best fighters in the FCBA," says Gigi with a little smile. "And, let's just say that Kennedy McMann does not rank in that company."
ROUND ONE:
No surprise that the ladies start at range. Both are tall and long and like to extend on their punches, and that's what happens in the first. Also no surprise that there's a lot of recon going on as Hadid and McMann get the lay of the land, feeling one another out. There's some activity, mostly of the jab and follow variety, but neither fighter is ready to commit anything. Instead, it's about gathering information, probing, looking for openings. Gigi has a bit of a reach advantage, so Kennedy's looking for ways to offset that, looking for spots where she can get off in combination. It's, frankly, good tactical stuff from both young fighters, and, when the bell rings, it's Hadid's reach that actually plays. She's gotten a little more done and grabbed the first and the 10-9 lead.
ROUND TWO:
More of the same. Tactical stuff from both fighters. Younger redhead is finding those spots more now. She's getting the geometry she wants and getting off when she does. For Hadid's part, she's enforcing distance well with the left hand, using all that willowy length to her advantage. Again, nobody's ready to commit any reserves or anything. There's still a lot of probing and working of the feet and the left hand, but the info that's already been gathered is being used to good effect, especially in the latter half of the round, when the pace picks up and we see some sharp exchanges in which both fighters land some solid shot. Nobody's hurt, but both women are put on notice. There's plenty of power behind all that leather. When the bell rings, it's close again, this time in Kennedy's favor and we're even at 19.
ROUND THREE:
Hadid starting to gain control of things in the early going. She's getting that jab going, double tapping it at times, keeping it in Kennedy's face, slowing and controlling the redhead with it. McMann trying to slip and get to her spots, but, she's mostly unable to do it. Instead, Gigi's calling the tune and it's "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" as far as Kennedy's concerned. McMann can't get anything going and is looking more than a little frustrated as the round goes on...while Hadid gets even more dominant. She's got everything going by the final minute and McMann isn't doing anything at all. By the time the bell rings, Kennedy's not hurt, but she's backed into the ropes and getting thumped. The round, of course, isn't close, going wide to Gigi, who pulls back into the lead at 29-28.
ROUND FOUR:
McMann gets the lead out. She's moving more, head, hands, feet, slipping that jab, angling to where she can get off without ending up short. But, she isn't going to avoid all the left hands flying at her face courtesy of the lovely Ms. Hadid. And, when Gigi lands, everything changes. She's able to follow on, land in combination. Result is another round like the second, with both fighters having moments, but nobody able to take control of things. Instead, we're seeing excellent two-way stuff with Hadid reminding us of that girl who was close to taking the welterweight division by storm and Kennedy reminding us of why she was a sought-after free agent. When the bell rings, there's very, very little in it. For the second time in three rounds, though, McMann takes the points in the narrow margin and we're even again at 38.
ROUND FIVE:
More two-way stuff. Hadid working that left, dropping rights off it, making life as difficult as possible for McMann. Redhead moving the feet and the head, playing the angles to offset the reach of the older woman. About a minute in, things change. Hadid lands a NICE right hand, follows with a left, then misses with a right. BOOM! Right hand, KENNEDY AND DOWN GOES GIGI! Out of nowhere, the redhead slips a right hand and absolutely DETONATES a rejoinder on the chin of Hadid. Gigi, leaning forward, goes down face first, crashing past Kennedy's left shoulder. McMann to a neutral corner to watch and wait while the ref counts. But. It's academic. There's no movement at ALL from Gigi. She's down and she's out and it's OVER and your winner by KO5 in one-punch fashion is Kennedy McMann!
AFTER:
McMann all smiles. Triumph or relief? No way to know. But, smiles nonetheless. "Obviously, she's a rangy girl. Has welter power, as we've seen. But, as I keep telling people, I can handle all of that, the range and the power and the jab. All of it. And, if anyone still has any doubts, well. Just watch the video."
BEFORE:
Two women in need of a win. McMann is currently sitting fifth in a five-woman Front Street lightweight division and coming off a second pay-per-view disappointment. As for Gigi, it seems like a long time ago that she burst onto the scene as a welterweight contender and even got a title shot against Kate Upton. Because it was. Nearly FIVE YEARS ago. And, while Gigi is still only 26, her record since her first full year in the FCBA is a grisly 3-15. But, if either fighter is sweating this one, well, you can't tell in the pre-fight. "I KNOW what I'm capable of," says a hard-eyed Kennedy. "Yes, people are doubting me now. And, that's just giving me more incentive to get rolling and prove them all WRONG."
"I've been in with some of the best fighters in the FCBA," says Gigi with a little smile. "And, let's just say that Kennedy McMann does not rank in that company."
ROUND ONE:
No surprise that the ladies start at range. Both are tall and long and like to extend on their punches, and that's what happens in the first. Also no surprise that there's a lot of recon going on as Hadid and McMann get the lay of the land, feeling one another out. There's some activity, mostly of the jab and follow variety, but neither fighter is ready to commit anything. Instead, it's about gathering information, probing, looking for openings. Gigi has a bit of a reach advantage, so Kennedy's looking for ways to offset that, looking for spots where she can get off in combination. It's, frankly, good tactical stuff from both young fighters, and, when the bell rings, it's Hadid's reach that actually plays. She's gotten a little more done and grabbed the first and the 10-9 lead.
ROUND TWO:
More of the same. Tactical stuff from both fighters. Younger redhead is finding those spots more now. She's getting the geometry she wants and getting off when she does. For Hadid's part, she's enforcing distance well with the left hand, using all that willowy length to her advantage. Again, nobody's ready to commit any reserves or anything. There's still a lot of probing and working of the feet and the left hand, but the info that's already been gathered is being used to good effect, especially in the latter half of the round, when the pace picks up and we see some sharp exchanges in which both fighters land some solid shot. Nobody's hurt, but both women are put on notice. There's plenty of power behind all that leather. When the bell rings, it's close again, this time in Kennedy's favor and we're even at 19.
ROUND THREE:
Hadid starting to gain control of things in the early going. She's getting that jab going, double tapping it at times, keeping it in Kennedy's face, slowing and controlling the redhead with it. McMann trying to slip and get to her spots, but, she's mostly unable to do it. Instead, Gigi's calling the tune and it's "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" as far as Kennedy's concerned. McMann can't get anything going and is looking more than a little frustrated as the round goes on...while Hadid gets even more dominant. She's got everything going by the final minute and McMann isn't doing anything at all. By the time the bell rings, Kennedy's not hurt, but she's backed into the ropes and getting thumped. The round, of course, isn't close, going wide to Gigi, who pulls back into the lead at 29-28.
ROUND FOUR:
McMann gets the lead out. She's moving more, head, hands, feet, slipping that jab, angling to where she can get off without ending up short. But, she isn't going to avoid all the left hands flying at her face courtesy of the lovely Ms. Hadid. And, when Gigi lands, everything changes. She's able to follow on, land in combination. Result is another round like the second, with both fighters having moments, but nobody able to take control of things. Instead, we're seeing excellent two-way stuff with Hadid reminding us of that girl who was close to taking the welterweight division by storm and Kennedy reminding us of why she was a sought-after free agent. When the bell rings, there's very, very little in it. For the second time in three rounds, though, McMann takes the points in the narrow margin and we're even again at 38.
ROUND FIVE:
More two-way stuff. Hadid working that left, dropping rights off it, making life as difficult as possible for McMann. Redhead moving the feet and the head, playing the angles to offset the reach of the older woman. About a minute in, things change. Hadid lands a NICE right hand, follows with a left, then misses with a right. BOOM! Right hand, KENNEDY AND DOWN GOES GIGI! Out of nowhere, the redhead slips a right hand and absolutely DETONATES a rejoinder on the chin of Hadid. Gigi, leaning forward, goes down face first, crashing past Kennedy's left shoulder. McMann to a neutral corner to watch and wait while the ref counts. But. It's academic. There's no movement at ALL from Gigi. She's down and she's out and it's OVER and your winner by KO5 in one-punch fashion is Kennedy McMann!
AFTER:
McMann all smiles. Triumph or relief? No way to know. But, smiles nonetheless. "Obviously, she's a rangy girl. Has welter power, as we've seen. But, as I keep telling people, I can handle all of that, the range and the power and the jab. All of it. And, if anyone still has any doubts, well. Just watch the video."