Meg Donnelly vs. Miley Cyrus

Meg Donnelly vs. Miley Cyrus (Results: Lookout. Words: Wiz)

BEFORE:


Blonde battle sees one of Front Street's "juniors", Meg Donnelly, take a step up in competition against Cyrus, a former unified champion who's had multiple title shots, including one for the flyweight gold against Front Street's own Kristen Stewart, back when Front Street was a factor in that division. These days, however, FCBA's Philly contingent has stepped away from competing below 110, so not only is Donnelly stepping up in competition, she's stepping up in weight to battle Miley at bantam. And, the latter isn't impressed with her competition. "Look," says Cyrus with a lovely smile, "I thought Front Street would come at me with someone from the 'A' team, Stewart, maybe Winter, Bennet, somebody like that. I'm not happy about fighting someone from the 'B' team. But, I'll take her out of there and cash the check."

"I may not be as highly ranked as Kristen or Ariel," says a hard-eyed Meg, "But I'm not on any 'B' team, as Miley is about to find out."

ROUND ONE:

Cyrus aggressive early, looking to crowd Meg, get physical with her. Donnelly, however, has seen these tactics before, as she's surely watched video of Stewart/Cyrus, and she knows JUST how to counter them. She's moving the feet, head and hands, giving a little ground here, circling a bit there, all to make it impossible for the older woman to square her up. Meanwhile, the younger blonde is absolutely getting to her spots, and, when she gets there, getting off in combination, repeatedly forcing Miley to cover up. Cyrus is never hurt, but she's definitely getting the short end of things from the opening bell right into the closing seconds when she finally lands a solid right hand that snaps back Meg's head. At the bell, there's no doubt. It's Donnelly wide and with the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Cyrus adjusting now. Backing the aggression down some. Instead of coming straight at Meg, Miley's angling, moving the feet, playing much better defense as she works forward. Result is the older blonde being much more effective in the second. She's getting where she needs to go now and getting off in combination. As for Meg, she's still in rhythm, still putting punches together, still scoring well. She's clearly getting the worst of it when Miley's in her grill, but, at range, she's making up that stagger by scoring very well, just as she did in the first. Result is a good, two-way round that sees both fighters in the contest for the points right into the final seconds, but, when the bell rings, it's Cyrus who's done just a bit more. Miley takes the round close and evens things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Same again, with Miley in control in the phone booth and Meg getting the better of things at range. But, now, Miley's getting much more of what she wants, crowding the younger woman, working a little body, but mainly just making her uncomfortable with a ton of brawling on the inside. To her credit, Meg fires back in there, but this is Cyrus' game, and she's simply a lot better at it than Donnelly is. And, to add to the younger woman's problem, she's, at times, so intent on trying to hold her own in the booth that she stays in there too long, not attempting to get back to range or tie up to shorten the exchanges. Result is a very, very good round for Miley, who never hurts the younger woman, but does give her a licking. At the bell, Cyrus has taken it wide and pulled into a 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

Both fighters make adjustments. Miley, sensing an opportunity, ups the aggression. Donnelly, after having her ear wax melted by Neve in the corner between rounds, gets back to moving the feet, giving ground, working to create space. The result is that we see a round a lot like the first, with Miley getting frustrated as she tries to close and bang, while Donnelly scores points in bunches on the outside. Meg comfortable again and getting more so as the round goes on. She's in rhythm, boxing, getting work done while Cyrus gamely tries to get to spots and eats a bunch of leather for her troubles. Again, Miley's able to score on occasion, but, only on occasion, and, when the bell rings ending the stanza, the younger blonde has taken the points wide and evened things once again, this time at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

More good stuff from Meg. This is clearly the kind of thing management wanted to see from it's third-year fighter on the biggest of the FCBA's stages. It's obviously not too big for her. She settled in quickly and nicely. She's problem solved. She didn't get overwhelmed in a big fight against a very good veteran fighter. And, now, as we reach the half-way point of the bout, she's established control, working at range, boxing well, frustrating Miley again and again as the older woman attempts to renegotiate terms, get physical, bang with the younger girl. As the round goes on, Cyrus actually starts getting sloppy, forcing things and eating a bunch of leather as a result. Just before the bell rings, Donnelly completes what might be the best round of her career with a beautiful combination that snaps back Miley's head twice. It's Meg wide and back into the lead 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Meg in control. She's keeping Miley at bay by dominating the geometry. Cyrus can't get to her spots, and, when she does, Meg simply works the angles again to get off square. It's all going swimmingly for the younger woman until...BOOM! Miley with a straight right hand and MEG IS HURT! Cyrus in a rare moment of offense lands a PERFECT punch and Donnelly's wobbled. And Miley is ALL IN, winging away with both hands to try to finish the thing. Meg backing and covering and GETTING DROPPED BY A STRAIGHT RIGHT! Donnelly deposited on her back by the older blonde! Miley, arms raised, heads to a neutral corner. Ref counting down on a dazed, wide-eyed Meg. She rolls to her belly at six, gets to hands and knees at eight...but can go no further! The count passes Donnelly by while she's still on all fours and it's OVER! And your winner by KO6 is Miley Cyrus!

AFTER:

Miley's still not impressed in the post-fight. "It's like I said," Cyrus says with a smile. "She's a good B-level fighter. But, that's ALL she is. She's not going to beat girls like me. She's just not. Front Street needs to keep her jerking curtains at Asylum where she belongs."