Taylor Hill versus Hayley Atwell

BEFORE:


Interesting style contrast with boxer/puncher Hill, who's right in the middle of the lightweight title picture, squaring off with power-hitting Atwell, who's as much a danger at JMDD as she is in the lightweight division. And, as you'd expect, neither brunette is lacking in confidence. "No doubt she can hit," says Taylor with a nod. "But, let's keep in mind I started my career at welter and I'm fighting up there again. I can handle power, and I can handle Hayley."

"Hill is one of the best lightweights around, no doubt of that," says the British beauty. "But, I've got a little too much power for her, as she's about to find out."

ROUND ONE:

Feeling out process to start this one. Taylor wants to do what Taylor likes to do, set up at gunnery range and use all that length and athleticism to her advantage. Atwell, who's giving up a decent bit of reach here, wants to close, get physical. But, nobody's really committing to much of anything in the first. Instead, we're seeing lots of feints and short sallies, with both fighters getting to spots and getting off. Everybody's getting some work done, but no one is gaining much of an advantage, or, frankly, trying all that hard to gain one. Instead, it's about getting the lay of the land, figuring out what might work and what probably won't, and what the other girl might be planning. Add it all up, and, when the bell rings, there's not much in it, but Hill's done just a bit more and claimed the points and the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Atwell's recon has gone well. She's tucking the head, keeping the gloves high, moving the feet, angling forward past the younger woman's jab and getting inside where she can work body and land hard shot to the head. She's not exactly backing up Hill, but the result is the same, because Taylor's giving ground trying to get space...and that results in the younger brunette spending a lot of time in reverse and on the back foot, which is RIGHT where Hayley wants her. Atwell's in control from the opening bell, getting physical in there, piling up both points and punishment. Hill's landing a good shot here or there, but that's about all she can manage. When the bell finally sounds, there's no doubt about anything. Atwell's taken it and plenty wide to even things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Atwell in firm control. British beauty has it firing on all cylinders as she steps to Taylor, forces her back again and again, crowds her, makes her uncomfortable. American is never hurt, but she's getting THUMPED as Hayley sits down on punches, punishes the younger woman to head and body. Again and again. Hill again scoring in spots, but she can't get the distance or the geometry she wants, because Atwell's getting what SHE wants and almost all the time. Late in the round, Hayley actually backs Hill to the ropes and bangs away at her for about thirty seconds before Taylor clinches and forces a break to get a respite. The bell rings shortly afterward, ending the stanza, and, for the second round in a row, there's no doubt about the result. It's Atwell and wide, putting Hayley in the lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Two way stuff this time. Hill's moving more, laterally along with a drop step that gives her a little time and space to get the left hand on target. And, when she does, it slows Atwell's advance, giving Taylor a chance to follow on with right hands, put punches together, score points. At other times, Hayley does what she's been doing the last couple of rounds, getting inside and working some body, getting physical and making Hill uncomfortable. Taylor trying to hang in in these exchanges, but, she's mostly not stabilizing her front, instead getting out of Dodge and resetting, trying to get back to gunnery range. When the bell sounds, it's close for the first time since the opening round, and, just like in the opening round, Hill's the one who's done a bit more, evening things at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

More two-way action as the brunettes both get some things going. Hill's putting punches together better than she has at any other time of the fight, stopping Atwell cold at times and getting off some NASTY flurries. For her part, Hayley's taking that shell, then getting right back going forward, closing, banging, scoring to both the head and the body. BOOM! Right hand, HILL! Taylor stops the British beauty with a nice left jab and then DROPS HER with a follow on overhand right. Atwell crumples face-first to the canvas, crashing at the American's feet. Hill quickly to a neutral corner, but she needn't have rushed. Hayley's not moving at all as the referee counts over her. She's not just down, she's OUT and it's OVER! And your winner by KO5 in lightning strike fashion is Taylor Hill!

AFTER:

Hill scuffed but smiling. "She actually hits harder than I expected," Taylor admits. "Definitely some welter power there. But, like I said, I can HANDLE that kind of power. Problem was, she couldn't handle MINE."