Posted 9/30/16  11:28 pm

IFFI RETURN AT THE ASYLUM PPV

BEFORE:

"Four years," says Jennifer with a shake of the head. "Four years since my last FCBA fight. And, there's a reason for that. Girls don't call because they know a lot of easier places to get a win. And, after I beat Ruah tonight, it might be another four years before the phone rings again."

"She's an all-day sucker, no doubt about that," says Daniela with a nod. "But. I've GOT all day, if that's what it takes."

ROUND ONE:

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

McCarthy: "I LOVE this song. That's Roman Void! I used to LOVE them..."

O'Dell: "Close. Romeo Void, and the song is 'Never Say Never', which is the entrance music preferred by lovely Montreal native Jennifer Finnigan, who's on her way to the ring right now..."

Cassie: "Kind of amazing that Finnigan hasn't gotten more FCBA work. Here's a girl who knocked out Nichols in her second FCBA fight, won another fight a few months later, then didn't fight again for over five years..."

O'Dell: "Well, you heard Jennifer's explanation. Finnigan into the ring and helped off with the robe to reveal a green and gold bikini and a body that shows how hard she's been working getting ready for this bout. And, that's 'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica, and here comes 'The Portuguese Princess', Daniela Ruah!"

Tess: "Ruah hasn't lost at this weight in over three years, and, there's no question she needs to keep that run going tonight if she's going to keep up in the loaded Front Street lightweight division."

O'Dell: "Daniela into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve. She's wearing that familiar powder blue number, and the crowd with a familiar, very appreciative reaction. Ladies about ready. Time to get some picks. Tess favors Ruah. Mac?"

McCarthy: "Finnigan's got a pair of FCBA wins...two more than the average Dancing Hooker opponent. And, Ruah IS the average Dancing Hooker. Finnigan."

O'Dell: "Cassie?"

Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"

O'Dell: "And, there's the bell. Ranged boxing to start things, and no surprise there. Both of these girls are tall and long and like to box. Finnigan slipping and dipping side to side, showing angles. Ruah looking to square the blonde up, get some heavy leather on target. Good, two-way stuff right now, ladies..."

Cassie: "Interesting bit I got from Uncle Wiz is that Finnigan was originally going to be booked to fight Swan. But, of course, Serinda got the offer for the Ice Hotel, and that turned out pretty well for her..."

O'Dell: "And, we'll see if this fight turns out well for Ruah, because, as you've pointed out, Jennifer is anything but a pushover, and you're seeing why right now. She's very skilled with the hands, excellent on defense. Everything very sound. Not a lot to hit when you're fighting her, and that can cause problems..."

McCarthy: "You've got to be patient with a girl like her, no doubt about that. Start to get too aggressive and she'll counter you into submission."

O'Dell: "Both fighters plenty patient right now. Lots of good, tactical stuff going on as we head down the stretch. Jennifer showing the slicks as she bobs the head, slips a right hand and lands a good counter punch. Ruah responds with a nice flurry and we get the best exchange so far right before the bell. There it is and the first is in the books. Close. Ruah."

Tess: "And, as we always say, always nice to get the 10-9 lead."

ROUND TWO:

O'Dell: "Second starting on the terms we've already established. Neither fighter pushing down on the pedal too hard right now. Both taking their time, working their fight plans. Finnigan's is to box, box, and box some more. Ruah wants to get the big right hand on, and she's working hard to set it up with that heavy Front Street jab..."

Tess: "And, it's not that Finnigan doesn't have power, because she does. She's not at all under powered at this weight. She's just not big for it like Daniela."

O'Dell: "And, that's also never been Jennifer's game. She's a cerebral fighter who likes the controlled boxing game, and she's very good at it. Reminds me a little of Helfer, to be honest, though I'm not saying she's as slick as a prime Tricia Helfer, because there aren't many fighters who fall into that category."

Cassie: "Not many, no. Helfer could bewitch with the best of them."

O'Dell: "Ruah not exactly bewitched this round, but she is remaining very patient, working very deliberately. Finnigan doing the same. Not a surprsing to see this kind of move and counter move when two smart, veteran fighters get together. Ten seconds left in the second, and both fighters jabbing to the bell. There it is. Second in the books. Finnigan close."

McCarthy: "And we're even at 19 after two."

ROUND THREE:

O'Dell: "Back to work in the third and Finnigan again playing the angles. Ruah trying to square her, using the left hand to try to control the blonde, but it's a tough assignment, because Jennifer moves the hands and head so well. She's not dancing or legging out there, but the subtle movement is fouling Dani's sights..."

McCarthy: "Right you are, Jenny. A girl doesn't have to be able to dance like J-Mac to be effective."

O'Dell: "Ruah remaining patient, trying to get some punches on the target. Finnigan frustrating those efforts with the slip and dip. If you're a fan of the art of boxing, gang, this is the fight for you, because we're seeing a good demonstration of it on both sides. Finnigan's just never where you can find her..."

Cassie: "Not where you can hit her clean, that's for sure."

O'Dell: "Ruah working that left. Finnigan slips and GETS DROPPED WITH A RIGHT HAND! Ruah landed that one right on the screws and Jennifer dropped to her back! Daniela to a neutral corner. Count at three. Four. Five. Six. Jennifer sitting up. Eight. Nine. TEN! She can't get off the canvas and it's OVER! And your winner by KO3 is 'The Portuguese Princess', Daniela Ruah!"

Tess: "Check the replay on this and you'll see why Ruah's so dangerous. Left hand, Finnigan slips it, and Ruah NAILS her with the right. She timed that one. And she only needed to time the ONE."

AFTER:

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

Tess: "I have our winner, Daniela Ruah, and Dani, that ended quickly!"

Daniela (nodding): "That was the game plan. She doesn't get a lot of work, but she's a good fighter, and everyone knows it. The advantage I had was power, and I was all about using it."

Tess: "It's been talked about a lot, how stacked the Front Street lightweight division is, but you just keep winning at this weight..."

Daniela (smiling): "And, that's the great thing about Front Street. That's all you have to do. Win, and everything else takes care of itself."