Demi Rose versus Brie Larson

BEFORE:

Two of the FCBA's elite bantams squaring off in this one, with the winner almost certain to be at or near the front of the line for the next shot at the bantamweight belts, and, despite the pedigree of their respective opponents, both fighters are plenty confident. "Brie can't match power with me," says Demi with a smirk. "She'll try, of course. And, she'll end up sucking canvas."

"As usual," says Larson, "Demi has an inflated opinion of her own abilities. Well. Allow me to deflate that for her."

ROUND ONE:

Demi aggressive early, but Brie not having any. Older woman's moving beautifully, not letting her rival square. Rose pressuring, trying to find the range, but she can't get it done. Instead, it's Larson who's landing flurry after flurry, getting the angles and spots she wants and then getting off in combination. British beauty is never hurt, but she's getting touched up in a major way as the American gets into an early rhythm and takes the fight to her. Rose is able to land some one off stuff here and there, but that's about all she can accomplish, despite her best efforts, as Brie thoroughly outboxes her from the opening bell right to the final seconds. With about ten ticks left on the clock, Demi lands a solid right hand that's, maybe, the best punch of the fight so far, but, when the final bell sounds, it's Brie and wide to take the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Better for Demi. Rose slows things down a bit, and that helps her get going. She's moving the feet now rather than just coming forward, and it makes a difference. Now, she's able to get the jab on target, and that means she can follow on with solid right hands. But, if the Brit's managed to get some offense going, well, the American's still scoring, too. Brie's still playing the angles and doing so well, still boxing very effectively. Result is a good, two-way round that's in doubt the entire way, one that's defined by a bunch of sharp exchanges in which neither fighter really gets much of an advantage, but both score points and inflict damage. When the bell rings and the ref sends the fighters back to their respective corners, it's Rose who's done a bit more and evened things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

More of the same, good, two-way stuff as both American and Brit are now finding ways to score. Neither is able to dictate terms. Neither is able to get favorable ones nearly as often as she'd like. But, both take full advantage when things are going their respective ways. BOOM! Boom? BOOM! Right hand, DEMI and Brie is HURT! Larson wobbles and covers up and now Rose is all in, bringing that curvy power to bear on the older woman, backing her quickly to the ropes before calling in the big guns, working her over to both head and body. Ref looking in closely as Larson fights out of a high guard, jabbing back here and there, but mostly trying to ride this thing out. And, despite Demi's best efforts, Brie manages to do so. Of course, when the bell rings, Rose has taken the round wide and pulled into a 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

American's legs clearly not all the way back as we start the fourth, and the Brit knows it. NOW Demi's walking Brie down, coming in the behind the jab, dropping hard rights in behind the lefts and DROPPING LARSON WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND! Brie blown to her back by a VICIOUS shot from Demi! Rose quickly to a neutral corner as the ref counts down on a stricken Larson. Not looking good for the American, but, somehow, she manages to get back to her feet at nine. The ref gives Brie the mandatory, and, after thinking about it for an instant, WAVES ON DEMI! Rose a buzz saw, driving Larson into the ropes again and working her over in a major way. Again, ref on a hair-trigger, but, again, Brie is able to do just enough to keep him at bay and hang on to the bell. But, Larson's looking a wreck and Rose is in command on the cards, 39-36.

ROUND FIVE:

Demi determined to finish now. She's been denied in two consecutive rounds, but she's got Larson looking ready to go. Rose sound, smart, walking in behind that left, bringing the power to bear. Brie working to stay off the ropes, but it's not long before Demi has her pinned there. Brie clinching. Demi stacking her against the cables, hooking ribs and midsection, working to bring the guard down. Brie keeping it high, rolling with punches, blocking others, clinching again, holding on until the referee steps in to break the fighters apart. Rose right back to work, banging away to head and body, in a desperate search for the 'Off' button. But, she's unable to find it. At the bell, Brie's still standing. But, the British beauty has pitched a shutout and pulled into a huge 49-45 lead at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Demi forward again, but the younger bantam's used a ton of energy in the last three rounds, and it shows. She's looking a bit slower, a little arm-weary. She's still getting the better of things, mind, but she's not getting as much work done as she did in rounds three, four, and five. About half way through the stanza, Brie's legs come around, and now it's Larson who's going over to the offensive. She's moving and angling again, getting off in combination, taking advantage of the fact that Demi's a little gassed right now. Brie doesn't commit to much. But, she's getting leather on target, slowly closing the stagger until, in the final seconds, with a pair of nice flurries, she's able to pull ahead. When the bell rings, Larson's come all the way back to take the points narrowly and cut Rose's lead to 58-55.

ROUND SEVEN:

Brie on the move, fouling Demi's aim, not letting her square. Instead, it's Larson who's successfully getting to spots, playing angles, getting off in combination. NOW the American's committing, and she's tossing Rose to the defensive in spots. Much like the first round, Demi's able to land a good shot now and then, but, it's mostly one-off stuff. It's the older woman who's putting punches together, landing solid flurries, piling up points, scoring with both hands. By the final minute, it's clear that Brie's taken command and built a big lead, but she doesn't sit on it. She ups the ante, stepping to Rose in spots, backing her up with heavy fire, finally putting an exclamation point on her best round of the fight with a NASTY right hand that snaps Demi's head back and sends sweat flying at the bell. It's Brie and wide, but, with three rounds to go, Rose still has a two-point lead, 67-65.

ROUND EIGHT:

Brie continues to take the fight to Demi. She's getting off in combination again and again, while Rose can't seem to find the range. She's short or late on almost everything, as Larson plays the angles and the distances to perfection. Demi game, knowing that she can turn all this around with one power shot and determined to land it...BOOM! Right hand, BRIE! Larson staggers Demi and then goes ALL IN! American WINGING AWAY with both hands as Rose wobbles backward and GOES DOWN AFTER A NASTY STRAIGHT RIGHT! Brie BOUNCING to a neutral corner as Demi stares up at the ref all wide-eyed. Brit rolls to her belly at six. Pushes to hands and knees at eight...and crumples back to the canvas! It's OVER! Demi is face-down on the mat as the count passes her by and it's OVER! And your winner by KO8 in comeback fashion is Brie Larson!

AFTER:

Larson more than a little scuffed. She's taken a beating in this one. But, she's given as good as she's gotten and then some. "I TOLD you I'd deflate her. Thing is, she's a good fighter. Everyone knows that. But, I'm just BETTER. And, now, everyone knows THAT, too."