Posted 9/30/16  11;27 pm

"IFFI RETURN TO THE ASYLUM PPV"

BEFORE:

"It's very frustrating," sighs Amber. "People think I'm a bust because things didn't work out for me at Beever's Babes. Well, a lot of girls don't break through at their first stable. I've got the goods. I can fight at this level. And, I'm going to prove it against Gemma tonight."

"She has talent," says Gemma with a nod. "I was, frankly, surprised that it didn't come together for her when she was managed. But, she doesn't have the talent I have, as she's about to find out."

ROUND ONE:

O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'Montreal' and, coming down to the ring is the lovely singer of that song, blonde beauty Amber Heard!"

McCarthy: "As a singer, she makes a good actress..."

Cassie: "And, here's the part where I remind the audience that an INJUNCTION remains in place FORBIDDING Mac from singing..."

McCarthy: "JUST ONE SONG! Stupid Grace Slick!"

Tess: "Now, Mac is right, BFF. She's allowed to sing OTHER songs. But, if she does, dogs all around the world will begin to howl in unison..."

McCarthy: "SHUT UP, WALMART!"

O'Dell: "Drink up, boys, while Amber climbs into the ring and is helped off with the robe by her corner crew. She's wearing a black and white checked bikini and is looking VERY good tonight..."

Tess: "No doubt about that..."

O'Dell: "And, that's 'London Calling' by The Clash, and here comes 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton..."

Cassie: "Tess talked earlier about needing a win to keep pace in the Front Street lightweight division. Well, Gemma's right on top with Perry and Torv. Kesha's right behind. All four are pushing for a shot at the lightweight gold. And, obviously, for Gemma to continue that push, she has to beat Heard tonight."

O'Dell: "Arterton into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve. She's wearing that violet two-piece we've seen before, and we're just about ready for some picks. Tess likes Gemma. Mac?"

McCarthy: "This Heard girl has been a big disappointment. Arterton's nothing special, but I'm picking her in this one."

O'Dell: "Cassie?"

Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"

O'Dell: "And, here we go. Heard after Arterton early, which is no surprise if you've seen her previous FCBA bouts. She's a very aggressive fighter, always looking to punch big and never afraid to trade. Gemma a hard-hitting, sturdy light, though, and she's not going to be backed up by the lovely blonde..."

Tess: "But, credit to Amber, she's not being backed up by Gemma, either. We're getting a lot of early hot-tossing here, and both girls holding their ground."

O'Dell: "Indeed, they are. Not a lot of movement at the moment, just a slow, mid-ring turn. The fighters keeping the guard high, throwing heavy leather, then getting the hands back quickly. Heard working up and then down. Arterton responding in kind. Gems never averse to working some body and she's not going to get shy about it tonight."

Cassie: "And Heard's not shy about ANYthing right now. Which I think is a good idea. She's got nothing to lose tonight. Might as well go for it."

O'Dell: "And, that's exactly what she is doing, though in a sound way. She's keeping that guard in place, not getting sloppy, but getting after Arterton and Gemma getting after the blonde as well. Crowd-pleasing stuff as the final seconds tick off, and there's the bell. Close to Heard in the first."

McCarthy: "She keeps fighting like this, I may change my pick."

ROUND TWO:

O'Dell: "Right back to the heavy hitting in the second. Again, neither fighter willing to back up. They're at middle distance and they are sitting down on these punches, gang. They're at mid-ring and we can hear the body shots landing over here at the table like they were standing right above us."

Cassie: "It's heavy stuff all right, both to the head and the body, but, these girls are shipping it pretty well."

O'Dell: "Arterton working to double up that heavy Front Street left jab right now, trying to throw Heard onto the defensive. Amber keeping the work rate up, however, not going to let Gemma fight lead, despite the British brunette's best efforts. My, my, my, this is some serious slugging going on right now."

McCarthy: "And, I'm starting to like this Heard kid more and more. Maybe we should sign her at Sceej."

O'Dell: "Twenty-five seconds to go in the second round. Not much has changed. Middle distances. Heavy shot being traded. And, no one backing up or going over to the defensive. Everybody taking the licking and continuing to do the ticking. One more exchange sends sweat flying and there's the bell. Close again. To Gemma."

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

ROUND THREE:

O'Dell: "More aggression from both fighters to start the third. Neither girl willing to allow the other to dictate, neither willing to allow the other to take charge. So, we're trading heavy stuff at mid-ring for a third consecutive round. And, again, Heard is holding her own with Arterton pretty well here..."

Cassie: "Definitely impressive stuff from Amber, and it's no surprise if you've seen her fight. She just fell into the trap a lot of girls do in the FCBA. She got management, struggled, and got released. And, since, she's had to scrap to find fights."

O'Dell: "And, she's scrapping in there right now and that right hand got Gemma's attention! Arterton a little buzzed after a solid straight right from Heard and Amber now going to town on the brunette, backing her up for the first time all night. Blonde all OVER Gemma, banging away with both hands..."

McCarthy: "Now's the time to finish! Now's the time to finish!"

O'Dell: "Blonde all ABOUT finishing! She's backed Arterton to the ropes and she's letting her have it. Amber slugging for glory right now. Gemma in a high guard, jabbing back in spots, trying to shake the cobwebs. Twenty seconds to go in the round. Heard ANOTHER big right hand. Ten seconds to go. Amber going to swing away to the bell, but Gemma still standing when it rings. Amber wide in the third."

Tess: "And, Heard's not only up 29-28, she's got Arterton in trouble."

ROUND FOUR:

O'Dell: "Amber looking to clean up in the fourth. She's after Gemma early. Arterton giving a little ground, using the heavy left jab, wants some space right now. Heard not going to give it to her. Amber ALL up in Gemma's grill. Arterton firming, though. Getting her feet set, firing back. Seems to have shaken off the worst of it from last round..."

Tess: "A lot of lights wouldn't be shaking off ANYthing right about now, because they'd have been OUT last round. Amber landed some BOMBS."

O'Dell: "Indeed, she did, and the stuff she's throwing right now isn't exactly powder puff either. She's committing on some heavy leather, and Gemma sending same right back at her. Again, we're turning at mid-ring, exchanging shot, showing good defense. It's sound stuff, not mindless slugging, but there are BIG punches going back and forth."

Cassie: "And, color me impressed that Amber can stand there like this with Gemma. Arterton's a big hitter."

O'Dell: "And, I think the blonde just proved that she's a big hitter, too. Lot of managers are watching this thing tonight, and I wonder how many are thinking they can use an absolutely stunning blonde light who can fight like this. Ten seconds to go in the fourth. Good exchange there and then another at the bell! Good, two-way round, but Heard wins it close."

McCarthy: "Kid's up 39-37. She's got a chance here."

ROUND FIVE:

O'Dell: "Heard right back after Arterton. Gemma holding ground and another firefight underway. Gems answering heavy fire from the blonde with big, thumping leather of her own. Again, the fighters turning at mid-ring, showing good defense, but sitting down on punches and getting some serious shell fire home..."

Cassie: "At some point, something's going to give. Even girls this sturdy can't just keep throwing bombs without somebody getting blown up."

O'Dell: "So far, we've had one near explosion, and it did change the complexion of the bout, but it didn't end it. No question, though, that both girls are throwing stuff than CAN end it. Arterton again looking to double that jab. Idea there is to suppress a little, create more time and openings for her own offense..."

McCarthy: "Not working that well, though. Heard still firing back quickly and effectively."

O'Dell: "Final thirty seconds of the fifth. No change in terms, because nobody wants to change them. Everybody's got their big girl pants on and nobody's going to take a backward step. HUGE exchange right there! Sweat flying, but nobody hurt. Ten seconds to go. Good right from Gemma, strong counter from Amber, and there's the bell. Close. Arterton."

Tess: "And, Heard's lead is 48-47 at the half."

ROUND SIX:

O'Dell: "Sixth verse, same as the fifth. And most of the others that came before. Girls at mid-ring, at middle distances, exchanging heavy leather. Heard a BIG right hand that backed Gemma up a step. Amber stepping forward, following up with a hard flurry. Arterton fires right back and backs Heard up with a big combination!"

Tess: "We aren't lacking for action in this one..."

O'Dell: "We are NOT, because there's another huge exchange of shell and nobody backs up a step! Heard a good right and ARTERTON ROCKS HER WITH A LEFT HOOK! Amber staggered with a hard left hook from the brunette and now Gemma's right over to a full offensive! She's backing Heard up with big combinations..."

McCarthy: "Kid needs to hang in there. Don't go running away. Counter punch and you'll be fine."

O'Dell: "Amber backing, covering, countering in spots. Gemma slowly backing her toward the ropes. Only twenty seconds left in the round. Arterton another solid left hook and she shook Heard again! Amber on the ropes now, but only ten seconds to go. Gemma digging some body, and there's the bell. Arterton wide, but Amber still standing."

Cassie: "And still even in the fight at 57."

ROUND SEVEN:

O'Dell: "Gemma applying pressure early. Heard giving up some canvas, doesn't have her legs at this point and she can't hold. But, she's giving it up grudgingly, firing back hard in a fighting retreat. Arterton willing to take the fire to get her own on target and THERE'S A RIGHT HAND and Heard staggered again!"

Cassie: "No idea how she didn't go down right there. Absolutely none."

O'Dell: "It was a booming punch, no question. Heard stayed on her feet, but she's in deep trouble. Gemma banging away, driving her directly to the ropes. Amber covering up, keeping the guard high, trying to run clock. Gemma to the body. She's digging some nasty shots to the ribs and midsection right now..."

McCarthy: "But Heard taking them and keeping that guard up. This kid has guts to spare!"

O'Dell: "Thirty seconds to go in the seventh. And, they're going to be long seconds for Amber who's taking a BEATING right now. Left hook wobbles her AGAIN! Referee looking in. Amber counters with a quick flurry. Gemma shrugs it off, goes back to the body. Heard tying up, Gemma shoving off, digging midsection, then another HARD left hook, but there's the bell. Shutout, Arterton."

Tess: "But, again, Amber still standing and down only a single point, 67-66."

ROUND EIGHT:

O'Dell: "Into the eighth and Heard still a little wobbly. And Arterton's noticed. Gemma right after the blonde, backing her up with heavy shell. Brunette taking control of this fight in the later rounds, hammering away at a damaged Amber, looking for the finisher. Heard stubborn, giving up ground but fighting hard to hold it..."

Cassie: "You know, we sometimes get impressed by the indie girls who come to Philly, and that's no surprise, because there are a lot of good indie fighters out there. But, there are very few who've impressed me as much as Amber Heard."

O'Dell: "Agreed. She's definitely shown us something tonight. And more that just the guts she's showing right now as she's being backed up by absolutely withering fire from Arterton. Gemma just lining Amber up now, and thumping her. Heard able to use the feet enough to stay off the ropes, but not enough to avoid the punishment."

Tess: "Arterton always accurate, because she's a very good boxer, and she's landing a very high percentage right now."

O'Dell: "No doubt about it. Good left hook Gemma. Amber a flurry in counter and ARTERTON DROPS HER WITH A RIGHT HAND! Heard dropped straight to her back with a right cross! Gemma to a neutral corner. Count at three. Four. Five. Six. Amber rolls to her belly. Eight. Pushes to hands and knees. Nine. TEN! It's over! Heard can't get off her knees and your winner by KO8 in THUMPING fashion is 'The Gravesend Gladiator' Gemma Arterton!"

McCarthy: "I think she got lucky. I still like this Heard kid, and, with the right training, by someone like ME, she could be a champion!"

AFTER:

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

Tess: "I have our winner, Gemma Arterton, and, Gems, that was some kind of fight in there..."

Gemma: "Not surprised at all. This girl has always been very aggressive. She can hit a ton. And she can take a punch. But, the thing is, you aren't standing in front of me all night without getting taken out of there, no matter who you are."

Tess: "What's next for you?"

Gemma: "Ask Lively what she's doing next month. My calendar is WIDE open."