BEFORE:



"There's no doubt this is a tough assignment," says Monica with a shake of the head. "But, it's about time I get a shot in the FCBA. And, tonight, I'll show everyone what they've been missing."



"I have no idea why this girl hasn't gotten work around here," says Pink with a shrug. "She's got the goods. Not enough to win tonight, of course, but, she's got 'em."



ROUND ONE:



O'Dell: "We're back at ringside and that's..."



McCarthy: "AWFUL! What the heck IS that?"



O'Dell: "That's..."



McCarthy: "I mean, there's TONS of good music around, and every time we come here, Weirdo subjects us to stuff like THIS! What IS that?"



O'Dell: "That's..."



McCarthy: "I mean, SERIOUSLY! Just turn on the radio and you can hear lots of good music playing, and we have to listen to, what IS this?"



O'Dell: "It's...."



McCarthy: "This is just RIDICULOUS! Why do I have to LISTEN to stuff like this every month? I don't even know what this IS!"



O'Dell: "It's..."



McCarthy: "A piece of GARBAGE, that's what it is!"



O'Dell (sighing): "It's also 'Faded' by Zhu, the favorite song of the gorgeous lady now getting into the ring, Monica Raymund. Monica helped off with the robe, showing off a well-toned body in a violet bikini and the crowd liking what it sees."



Cassie: "No question she's in top shape for her FCBA debut."



O'Dell: "And, we all know what song is now blasting through the arena..."



McCarthy: "It's ALMOST as bad as the last one..."



O'Dell: "That's 'Trouble', and here comes the lady who sings that song, 'The Queen of Front Street', Pink!"



Tess: "No comment about what you'd rather be queen of, Mac?"



McCarthy: "I'm too busy singing 'Copacabana' in my head to try to get this music OUT of it!"



O'Dell: "Pink down the aisle and into the ring. She's helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve to reveal that black bikini with the white skulls on it..."



McCarthy (singing): "Hottest spot north of Havana..."



O'Dell: "And, we're about ready to go. Let's get some picks. Tess favors Pink. Mac?"



McCarthy: "Typical Dancing Hooker opponent. No FCBA wins. Pink."



O'Dell: "Cassie?"



Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"



O'Dell: "And, there's the bell. Monica on the move early, jabbing, circling, showing some legs. Pink patient, hanging on the outside, measuring the tyro, working the feet, snapping out the odd jab, not looking to close or cut the ring at the moment. Raymund shimmying the shoulders, dancing a little. Plenty of athleticism on display early."



Cassie: "Monica moves very well, no question. But, even SHE isn't the kind of athlete Pink is."



O'Dell: "But, as we often see from the Queen Of Front Street, Pinkness being very tactical in the first round. On rare occasions, we'll see her get after it early, but, most of the time, she likes to feel her opponent out, do some recon, then get into the meat of the fight, and that appears to be the plan here."



Tess: "She's not alone in doing that, but, of course, the disadvantage is, if you end up giving away a round early, you might need the points late."



O'Dell: "Coming down the stretch in the first. Raymund definitely having the better of things. Pink not doing much offensively, while Monica's able to get some combinations put together as she stops and pops, then begins legging again. Another shoulder shimmy for Monica, a quick jab, and there's the bell. Raymund solid in the first."



ROUND TWO:



O'Dell: "Second underway and a little more aggression from Pink. She's looking to cut the ring now and Raymund responding. She's off the horse, getting the jab out, ready to box at range if that's what the older woman wants to do. And, it appears that's the Pink game plan for the second round."



Tess: "The thing with Pink is, she's very well-balanced. She can fight a lot of ways, and, often you'll see several different things from her in the same fight."



Cassie: "And, not of necessity, either. Sometimes, it's just throwing different things at an opponent to keep her off guard."



O'Dell: "And, right now, Raymund showing she can do more than one thing, too, as she's boxing with fairly well right now. Both fighters moving the feet, head, and hands. Pink so quick, very nimble on the feet, angling well, getting combinations on. Raymund shipping the leather, firing back well in counter."



McCarthy: "Letting Pink fight lead right now, though. And, that usually doesn't get you points on the cards."



O'Dell: "Usually not, with the obvious exception of the pure counter-puncher. About 20 seconds to go here in the second round. Pink getting into rhythm. Getting more leather on target as the round goes on. Monica, though, still holding her own pretty well, lands a solid flurry in counter at the bell. Close. Pink."



Tess: "And, we're even at 19."



ROUND THREE:



O'Dell: "Third begins as the second ends, with the fighters boxing at range, though we're now seeing some forward sallies, as Pink closes to middle distances to land combinations, then pops back to punching range. Monica holding her ground, not willing to give any canvas to the more-experienced fighter."



Tess: "Give this girl credit. Not at all cowed in her first FCBA fight, and, obviously, this isn't the best way to begin an FCBA career."



O'Dell: "Reality, though, is that unless a girl can get into something like those New Blood tournaments that are going on right now, or is able to get a match up with a newly-managed fighter without a lot of experience, she's likely going to start fighting in matches like these, because there aren't going to be many other opportunities."



Cassie: "Exactly right, Jenny. And, while it isn't easy to win a fight like that, you have to give it your best shot and, even if you don't win, try to show something, try to get some attention, so that you can get additional fights. It's worked for some girls. But, as Tess says, it's a hard road."



O'Dell: "Final thirty seconds of the third rounds sees the fighters continuing to box and box pretty well. Again, Pink is fighting lead, definitely calling the match here, but Monica continuing to stay in the fight. She doesn't look overwhelmed or overmatched, that's for sure. There's the bell and the third is in the books. Competitive again, but Pink."



McCarthy: "29-28 for the girl whose spent her entire career ducking me!"



ROUND FOUR:



O'Dell: "Fourth begins with one of those stylistic changes from Pink. The Front Streeter looking to pressure now, coming forward behind the left jab, determined to back her rival up, force her out of her defensive positions, take the fight to her. Monica plenty sturdy, able to hang in there for a bit, but, eventually, the volume of heavy fire backing her up."



Cassie: "Raymund needs to be careful here. No question Pink is trying to take control of this fight..."



O'Dell: "And, she may slowly be doing it. Raymund setting up, firing back, but, again, being backed up by the power of the older fighter. Monica a sharp right in counter and PINK WOBBLES HER WITH A LEFT HOOK! Raymund staggering and stumbling and nearly going down! Pinkness all OVER the brunette now, looking to finish this thing immediately..."



Tess: "That left hook is Pink's most dangerous punch, since she's a natural southpaw and Monica just GOBSMACKED by that one!"



O'Dell: "Pink piling on now, banging away, forcing Raymund into the ropes, digging some body as Monica keeps the guard high and tight. Pink working back upstairs, looking for the switch marked 'off', but, for the moment at least, not finding. Ten seconds left. Pink a good right hand that wobbles Raymund, but there's the bell! Monica survives. And a smile and a glove tap from Pink before she turns back to her corner. Pink, wide."



Cassie: "That's a 'good on you' if I ever saw one. Respect that she could take that punch and survive the round."



McCarthy: "Not quite as bad as a hug, but close. 39-37, Pink after four."



ROUND FIVE:



O'Dell: "Pink right after Monica to start the fifth. She's working forward, backing up the younger woman with heavy shot. Lot of hooks being used, both left and right. Raymund backing and covering. Taking a lot of fire. What we're looking at right now is very similar to what we saw in the last fight, ladies..."



Cassie: "No doubt about it. A fighter who's gotten in trouble against a Top Ten bantamweight. The percentages just aren't good when you get into that situation."



O'Dell: "Pink working Raymund over pretty good right now. She's getting some body, mixing that with some shots upstairs. Monica holding up pretty well, though she's getting the worst of it. She's countering well in spots, not running. It's a fighting retreat, but it's a retreat just the same. Good left Pink, GOOD RIGHT MONICA AND DOWN GOES PINK!"



McCarthy: "YES! YES! She got that PHONY!"



O'Dell: "A KEYHOLE right hand counter from Raymund and Pink dropped right to her back. Count at three. Four. Five. Six. Pink rolling to hands and knees at seven. Eight. Nine. Pink is up...but NO! She did NOT beat it! She did NOT beat it! Referee waiving it off! And your winner by KO5 in an absolutely MASSIVE upset is Monica Raymund!"



Tess: "To quote Jack Buck, 'I don't believe what I just saw!'"



AFTER:



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



Tess: "I have our winner, Monica Raymund, and, Monica, I'd be lying if I said I expected to be talking to YOU tonight..."



Monica (smiling): "Look, nobody thought I had a chance. But, I knew I did. I knew I could climb in here and fight with her. I knew I could show everyone that I belong. She's a Top Five bantam. And, I just beat her. I belong!"



Tess: "This kind of a win...it's what makes the FCBA what it is. But, it's also the kind of win that can give a fighter a big chance..."



Monica (nodding): "I know. I know. I've got one now, and I've got to take advantage. And, I will. You haven't seen or heard the last of Monica Raymund. Count on THAT."