BEFORE:

"I've been hoping for a rematch against Dani," says a hard-eyed Rhona. "It was dead even the last time and she came up big at the end. This time, I'm going to flip the script."

"Rhona's as physical as anyone I've ever fought," says Daniela, "And, that includes the welters. It wasn't easy the first time. It won't be easy this time. But, I'll get it done again."


ROUND ONE:



O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that is..."



McCarthy: "I HATE that song..."



Tess: "Probably because it brings back memories of you getting a hot foot from Brenda Song..."



McCarthy: "Those were $900 shoes! I'm still waiting for my renumberation from that big goofball in the skirt!"



Cassie: "You might be waiting awhile..."



McCarthy: "I'll SUE! That's what I'll do! Siri, call my attorney!"



O'Dell (sighing): "The song is 'Mars Bringer of War' by Gustav Holst and that means the lovely Rhona Mitra of the Bazz Fight Club is on her way to ringside."



Tess: "And, as Rhona pointed out, she's on the way down for a rematch tonight, and, the first time this pair fought, it was nip and tuck all the way, with the pair even after eight rounds before Ruah stopped Rhona in the ninth."



Cassie: "That was a great fight, no question, and that's why we're seeing a rematch tonight."



O'Dell: "Mitra into the ring and helped off with the robe by the Bazz corner crew. She's wearing that gray bikini and, I don't know about you ladies, but I haven't seen too many women a few days from 40 who look like THAT..."



Tess: "As Cassie always points out, everybody at Bazz is in terrific shape, and Rhona is no exception."



O'Dell: "And we go from classical to heavy metal, because that's 'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica and here comes 'The Portuguese Princess', Daniela Ruah!"



Tess: "Ruah working to climb into that top group at lightweight at Front Street, and, to tell you how hard it is to get there, this girl hasn't lost a fight at light in over three years. The last one was to Jennifer Lawrence in May of 2013."



O'Dell: "Ruah down the aisle and into the ring, helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve to reveal that baby blue bikini she likes. And, the ladies are about ready and it's time for some picks. Tess favors Daniela. Mac?"



McCarthy: "I like Mitra in this one. She was close last time. Tonight, she'll finish the job."



O'Dell: "Cassie?"



Cassie: "You know I'm going with my girl Rhona!"



O'Dell: "We've got a split panel. Let's see who's right. Going to see some ranged stuff to start us off. Both fighters like that, like to get the other girl out on the end of her punches. When you have the length and power these two brunettes possess, that's usually a good idea, and, in their respective cases, it certainly is, as we've seen before."



Tess: "Not just because of the range and power, but also because both of them are athletic and move very well. These are terms they can and usually do succeed on."



O'Dell: "Plenty of respect being shown early. Not a ton of recon, most likely because the two have fought before and are fairly familiar with what the other girl brings to the table. Fighters angling, moving the head, hands and feet. Both doing a lot of work with the left jab, especially Ruah, who loves that heavy Front Street version>"



Cassie: "That can be a big weapon for a girl who's not used to it. But, Rhona knows all about it."



O'Dell: "Twenty-five seconds remaining in the first. Both fighters boxing well. Neither putting on a ton of pressure. Just a good, professional round from both brunettes. Ruah a quick double-tap jab, tried a right hand follow, but blocked by Rhona, who counters with a hard right of her own and there's the bell. Close. Daniela."



McCarthy: "10-9 Ruah after one."



ROUND TWO:



O'Dell: "Ranged warfare continues here in the second. Lots of good, accurate stuff flying. Punches being set up well. Lots of movement. Plenty of angles being played. Nothing sloppy about any of this, and that's no surprise, because you've got two, good, veteran fighters in there, both of whom have top-level talent."



Tess: "I've always thought Ruah had the potential to be as good as any lightweight on the Front Street roster. She's sort of been stuck behind a few girls because she bounced up to welter and lost to some excellent fighters, but the lights are getting shaken up at Front Street now."



O'Dell: "They are. And a win here could go a long way toward getting Daniela right into that top group competing for a title shot. But, there's no question she's got a big job in front of her. Rhona backing her up right now with a couple of hard shots. Ruah circling, resetting, getting back to that left jab."



Cassie: "No percentage in a straight fire-fight with Rhona Mitra. I mean, you might catch her. But, how many chances do you want to give her to catch YOU?"



O'Dell: "Not many, if you're smart. Because she only needs one. Closing seconds of the second round. Another good, two-way stanza, just like we've seen in the past between these two fighters. Ruah again circling and resetting after a couple of good shots from Mitra. And, there's the bell. Close. Rhona."



McCarthy: "All even at 19. No surprise, as this was even the whole way the last time."



ROUND THREE:



O'Dell: "Settling into a nice pattern in the third. Both fighters comfortable. Both working hard at range, landing solid stuff, playing good defense, moving the feet well. Crowd clearly enjoying this, despite the fact that it's a lot of tactical boxing at this point. There's plenty of action going on, and that's got the patrons plenty interested..."



Cassie: "That's because the Philly crowd is a smart boxing crowd. They see more live FCBA action than fans in any other city. They know their boxing..."



McCarthy: "PLEASE, Scabbo. The people here don't know ANYthing. It's not like we're in Chicago, where they REALLY know sports..."



O'Dell (sighing): "Again, let me remind all you fans at home that the opinions expressed by J-Mac are hers alone and don't neces...well, let's forget the 'necessarily' part, and do NOT reflect the opinions of HBO, the FCBA, or the announce crew. Good right hand there by Ruah and Mitra follows with a solid combination."



Tess: "No question some sharp stuff being exchanged, Jenny. And, again, no surprise, because this is what we saw the last time."



O'Dell: "Thirty seconds left in the third round. Ruah a quick circle to the left and reset. Mitra jabbing, finding range, landing a right hand. Daniela responds with a good one-two and Rhona a sharp right hand in counter. Ten seconds left. Another very close round, ladies. There's the bell. Mitra."



Tess: "And, Rhona's on the lead 29-28."



ROUND FOUR:



O'Dell: "Hard-hitting tactical stuff continuing in the fourth. Ruah showing more of that disengage, circle, and reset that we've seen a bit of in the first three rounds. Rhona not bothered, just squares up, gets the range, gets back to work. Lots of good left hands being landed right now, as both fighters look to set up the rights."



McCarthy: "Like you said, Jenny, we're seeing some good defense here, and that's forcing both fighters to work hard to create openings."



O'Dell: "And, they're both doing just that at the moment. Ruah a little more active this round than she has been in the first three. Mitra matching that work rate without a problem. Again, neither fighter really gaining much of an advantage here. Nip and tuck two way stuff just like we've been seeing all night."



Cassie: "And, again, no surprise with these two, based on them splitting eight rounds the last time they fought."



O'Dell: "Down the stretch in the fourth. Another circle and reset from Ruah. Mitra moves the feet, squares, lands a solid one-two. Daniela a BIG flurry in response and Rhona firing right back. We're getting quite the series of exchanges down the stretch as both fighters work to grab this one in the final seconds. Bell! Close again. Ruah."



Tess: "And, they've now split all twelve complete rounds they've fought. 38-38 after four."



ROUND FIVE:



O'Dell: "No changes as we enter the fifth. Ranged tactical stuff continuing for both fighters. And, this is one of those 'if it isn't broken, don't fix it' situations, ladies, as both fighters are getting their work in, both are scoring, neither's gaining much of an advantage, so, there's no real need to make big adjustments..."



McCarthy: "Agreed, Jenny. There might come a time when you have to try something else, but, not at the moment."



O'Dell: "GOOD right hand from Mitra there. Backed Ruah up a step. Daniela circles. Resets. Rhona stepping in, another good right and a HARD LEFT HOOK AND RUAH'S HURT! Rhona wobbles Ruah with a left hook and now Mitra throwing in the reserves! She's backing Daniela up, letting her have it with both hands..."



Cassie: "Had her a couple of times last year and couldn't finish. And Rhona remembering that right now!"



O'Dell: "She's pouring fire at Ruah, got her on the ropes now. Daniela in a high guard, rolling with punches, trying to do enough to keep the referee from jumping in. He's looking closely as Mitra goes body, then back to the head. GOOD RIGHT HAND, RHONA! Ruah stumbles along the ropes. Referee thinking about it! Mitra pouring on the fire but running out of time and there's the bell! Mitra wide."



Tess: "And, how close was she to ending this thing? But, we're going to the sixth with Rhona up 48-47."



ROUND SIX:



O'Dell: "Sixth begins exactly as you'd expect. Mitra forward, looking to finish. Ruah giving some ground, backing and circling, keeping the hands up. Rhona patient. Getting the jab home. Following on with rights. She's in control for the first time in the fight and she's going to consolidate at the least here."



McCarthy: "She needs to finish this. You don't want to go to the cards in Philly. You get ROBBED. Just like I did!"



O'Dell: "Rhona coming forward behind the jab. Lands a solid right and GETS ROCKED BY A RIGHT HAND COUNTER! Ruah with a blistering counter and Mitra's hurt! And, now it's Daniela on the offensive, pouring fire onto a retreating Rhona. Ruah grabbing back all the canvas she gave up in the last round!"



Tess: "This is unreal. When these two fight, stuff just happens..."



O'Dell: "And stuff is happening right now and it's all in favor of Daniela Ruah. She's backed Rhona to the cables and she's getting a TON of work done. Mitra hanging on, jabbing back, moving the head and shoulders, keeping that guard up. Ruah trying to find the finisher, but not getting it done. Five seconds left. Mitra's going to survive it. There's the bell. Ruah wide."



Cassie: "And, after six, we're even at 57. And. After 14 completed rounds between these two fighters, they are even at seven. Like Tess said. Unreal."



ROUND SEVEN:



O'Dell: "Seventh underway and now it's Ruah stalking. She's coming forward behind the left just as Mitra was doing in the last frame. Rhona giving ground, but it's a fighting retreat. Doesn't have the legs all the way back, but she's got enough to land solid stuff and slow down the younger woman's advance..."



Cassie: "And, Ruah being very careful now, because she doesn't want to fall victim to what she just did to Rhona."



O'Dell: "I don't think there's much question about that being in Dani's mind. She's patient. Working smartly. Not getting sloppy or overeager. Mitra willing to work out of the counter, play for time here. Because, it's her friend at the moment, no doubt about that. Ruah double-taps the jab and HURTS RHONA WITH A RIGHT HAND!"



Tess: "How is she standing up? That landed FLUSH!"



O'Dell: "And Ruah pouring it on immediately, banging away at a wobbly Mitra and DOWN GOES RHONA! Another blistering right from Ruah and Mitra down on her right side..."



McCarthy: "I might sing..."



Tess: "I wouldn't..."



O'Dell: "Count at three. Four. Five. Six. Mitra pushes up to elbow and hip. Seven. Eight. Hands and knees at nine, but no further! TEN! It's over! And your winner by KO7 is 'The Portuguese Princess', Daniela Ruah!"



AFTER:



O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"



Tess: "I have our winner, Daniela Ruah, and, Dani, that was one heck of a fight. Again."



Daniela (nodding): "She's top quality, Tess. When you get in against Rhona, you'd better be at your best, or you have no chance at all. And, even then, you're going to need a break or two, because she's that good."



O'Dell: "In light of recent events, this could be a huge win for you..."



Daniela: "I don't worry about stuff like that, Tess. I control what I can control. I go out and win fights. The rest is up to other people."