Alicia Vikander vs. Victoria Justice
(Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE:

Vikander all business in the pre-fight. She's coming off a disappointing loss her last time out, and has no time for levity. "She likes to talk, I'll give her that," says the Swede. "But, tonight won't be about talking. It will be about fighting. And I'm the better fighter."

Justice does like to talk, and wastes no time getting to it, with a grin. "See, with that ghost-like complexion of hers, Alicia can get a bad burn out on the beach. But, I'm going to do her a favor. I'm going to knock her out really quickly and get her back into the shade."

ROUND ONE:

Vikander goes immediately to the jab. Justice surprises by not going at her aggressively off the bell, as Tori's done in so many of her previous fights. It's clear Justice has scouted Alicia well, and knows that the Swede likes to either create space and fight at range or come forward behind the left. Rather than try to force the older woman out of her game, Tori decides to let her play it, and play right along. Vikander's done some scouting, too. She knows justice loves to brawl, so she's not coming forward. Instead, she's jabbing, following with right hands, turning this thing into a boxing match. Whether or not the older woman is surprised by just how well Victoria does on those terms is anyone's guess, but there are plenty of folks watching who are. Justice doesn't dance or circle. She just angles, works the feet, head, and hands, and boxes with a girl who loves to box. The result is a good, two-way round and a narrow Vikander victory and a 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Justice continues to box with Vikander. No efforts to up the pace, create big exchanges, do all the stuff that Victoria Justice typically does. So, to answer the question, yes, Tori can rate, because, you can clearly see she's holding herself back, playing this tactically, waiting for the opportunity to make her big move. Vikander, meanwhile, sticks perfectly to her own plan. There aren't a lot of girls with just a handful of FCBA fights who are as cerebral and strategic as Alicia. Her icy temperament is a complete contrast to the fiery Justice, though, again, both fighters are bringing the cool so far in this one. Down the stretch, the back-and-forth nature of the boxing continues. The pace is upped just slightly, as both fighters, realizing that the round is close, make an effort to snatch it with a late rally. But, no one is able to pull away. It remains close right to the bell. And, it's Vikander again, now with a 20-18 lead.

ROUND THREE: 

Crowd has to be wondering when the jockey is going to loosen the reigns a bit on Victoria and give her her head. The move's going to come, there's no question about that. But, at the moment, she continues to rate, continues to run stride for stride with Vikander, and fight her punch for punch on Alicia's terms. Tori's the more athletic of the two fighters, and that begins to pay dividends here. The sand will slow down a fighter's footwork, but Justice manages to make hers work to create angles more to her liking. Vikander adjusts, because Alicia always adjusts, but Justice counters and we get some great tactical stuff as the round heads to the stretch run. Again, there's an effort made to up the pace and get some distance late, but, again, neither fighter can pull away from the other. Instead, we get our third consecutive close round, but, this time, Victoria's done enough to get on the board and cut the lead to 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

More tactical boxing to start the fourth. Both fighters very comfortable on these ranged terms. No surprise for Vikander, who's done this before. Plenty of surprise for Justice, who seems to be finding more tools in her tenth FCBA fight. And then, the jockey gives Victoria her head. It happens instantly. Justice has done plenty of recon. She's found an opening, and she shoots through it. She pounces forward and backs up a surprised Alicia with a heavy combination. Vikander backs and covers and Justice just keeps coming. Like a closer with a clear shot down the stretch, Tori's flying now and a shocked Alicia can only take leather and give canvas and GET ROCKED! It's a three-punch combination that does the trick, loosening the knees of Alicia. Vikander nearly goes down, but manages to stumble backward and remain on her feet, only to take another barrage of leather. Alicia's in deep trouble now, trapped on the ropes as Justice punches for glory down the stretch. Vikander is wobbled again by a right hand and actually clinches to stay on her feet. Justice shoves her off, lands a hard right to the chin that sends Alicia sagging into the ropes, but there's the bell! And, none too soon. Vikander looking out on her feet on her way back to the corner. Justice claims the round wide and evens the fight at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Now, THIS is the Victoria Justice we're used to seeing. She's off the stool and across the ring and winging away at Vikander. Alicia retreating in front of the all-out offensive. And then landing a guided missile right hand counter that crunches into Tori's chin and swivels her head. Justice is steppin' in fence post holes! No question that if Vikander had had her legs all the way under her, this thing would be over. As it it, Victoria's desperately hurt and now it's Vikander coming forward. The Swede isn't all in. She's just working up behind the jab, slowly backing up Justice, beating her up with hard right hands, looking for the punch that will end the thing. To her credit, Victoria takes the licking and somehow keeps ticking, but she IS taking a licking. She's trapped on the cables for the last half of the round getting fed a steady diet of leather. And, by the time the bell rings, she's scuffed, very unsteady, and the left eye is noticeably swelling. She's been shut out in the fifth and trails again, 48-47. But. She's still on her feet.

ROUND SIX:

But, not for long if Vikander can help it. Alicia not quite all in early, but she's shoving plenty of chips into the middle of the table. Initially, it's about testing Tori's legs. But, it becomes clear the Swede has found them wanting, and she plans to take full advantage. Justice being backed up and scuffed up as Vikander works forward aggressively behind the jab, sitting down on right hands, getting plenty of power into her punches. Justice a bit of a stationary target. Doesn't have the legs to move or angle, let alone circle. She does her best to counter, to hold ground, but she can't get it done and can only retreat in the face of the constant Swedish assault. What happens next, then, is no surprise. A nasty right hand from Vikander staggers Victoria, who nearly goes down. Vikander steps forward, launches a blizzard of punches and DOWN GOES JUSTICE! It's not one blow, but the aggregate damage from the entire flurry that sends her puddling to the canvas at Alicia's feet, but, the result is the same. Tori's down, and not looking like getting up. The referee counts, but he needn't have bothered. It's over. And your winner by KO6 is Alicia Vikander!

AFTER:

Justice helped to her stool as Vikander smiles for the camera and the post-fight interview. "It's like I said," the lovely Swede nods. "Tonight was not about talking, it was about fighting. And, as I also said, I am the better fighter."