Danielle:
(23, 5’11, 2:3 BBU, SIRENs)
Rachael:
(29, 5’9, 1:1 BBU, Wildetime Boxing)

Results: Vassago - Story: Caspian

BEFORE:

Pundits quite amazed that Dani already up and about after her recent bout (and controversial loss) to Devon Windsor, the blonde putting her down before the referee called off the match (in what Danielle curtly refers to as ‘biased b*stard’s blunder). Two weeks later, Dani already clamouring for another match to prove herself - one thing that can be said about this Australian is that she doesn't shy away from a beating.

And a beating she’s assuredly promised, at least according to Rachael Finch, who’s eager to get back into the action after a lengthy break herself. Verbal sparring between the two girls says they both admire and want to hurt each other at the same time.

“The fact that she’s a former champ impresses me definitely. But she’s a champ who hasn't seen much action in a while, and I’m gonna take advantage of that,” Danielle says, thinking she made the right choice in this match-up with a rusty fighter.

Rachael looking slightly nervous, that's for sure, the 29- year old clinching the Lightweight title in her debut in 2012, but then her last win being only over Krystal Forscutt back in 2014. “I think this is the best opportunity to get back into the action, against someone who’s equally rusty, like Danielle.”

Not sure whether that last statement was innocent or catty, but Danni read that last comment the wrong way, attempting to confront the former champ at first by getting up and striding towards her end of the table, but then cursing and storming off the stage when she’s held back by security forces.

Girls get straight to entering the ring then: Danni in orange bikini, red gloves, whilst Rachael in blue and black, respectively. Here we go with ten rounds of Lightweight action!

ROUND 1:
Rachael hasn't fought in a while and her hesitation shows in the opening minute, hanging back and trying to fire off shots from afar. Curiously, Danni doing the same, the fact that she’s fighting a former champ perhaps also giving her pause. Jabs landing occasionally but not doing much damage to either girl, until the second minute when Danielle gets more adventurous and snaps the other girl’s head backwards with shots to the nostrils. Rachael gasping at these tough opening blows, perhaps the pain jogging her memory of what it’s like to get repeatedly punched in the face. Danni getting her confidence back in the last minute, now stalking the other brunette as she forces her backwards inch by inch towards the ropes. F*ck if the rest of those in attendance standing amazed at Robertson’s ill-treatment of a former champ so easily… Finch left reeling at the bell when another one-two shot grazes her chin. Referee stops the action and Danielle acknowledging her fans with one hand in the air as she makes her way back to corner.

ROUND 2:
Danielle thinking of possible knockout blow in the second round and chooses to go into high gear! The determined Australian hounding Rachael about the ring and not giving her any chance to retaliate before another jab combo snaps into her chin. In this way Danni outworks her older, more prestigious rival for the first two minutes of the round, Australian girl starting to feel in control of her destiny for the first time in a long while. Rachael focusing exclusively on defense this match so far, far cry from her earlier matches and dominant display that enabled her to clinch the title. Rachael’s corner shouting at her to get in there and fight, but the brunette seems scared of getting hit, allowing Danni to once again clinch the round by wide margin, but the consequence is she’s looking visibly more tired out as a result.

ROUND 3:
For all her flaws, Finch is still in no danger of getting knocked down. She’s lost the first two rounds but Danni getting frustrated by not making any progress to floor her to seal the deal. First minute sees Danni doing her best by ramping up the heat, hooks being blown left and right but Finch holding her own and biting back bit by bit, snagging the cheek in between Danni’s heavy rounds, slowly but surely taking back her round. Danni doesn’t realize she’s getting beaten back until it’s too late - last minute sees a sudden surge by Finch as she fires off combo after combo of jabs, a barrage of punches that leaves Danni scrambling for cover, but not before eating some stiff leather to her lips. Round ends with Finch now celebrating with a smile and Danni left wondering what the f*ck just happened there.

ROUND 4:
Finch rearing to go and Danielle acting defiant as the bell rings and both girls charge. Wild brawling action in the opening minute as neither girl deems it fit to back down, and they exchange fire to the head and body, rocking the other girl with heavy punches. Second minute see them both back off simultaneously to form damage assessment: Danielle panting hard, hands up high covering the face, but body showing red welts from tummy punching. Finch looks battered to the face, nursing a little reddened skin on her right cheek but other that the former champ looks eager to get back into the action. Last minute see both girls abandon their circling and start trading leather from close range yet again - Finch exclusively targeting the head whilst Danielle going after the body, but the Australian getting exasperated when a third punch to the gut seems to glance off her toned tummy… Instead, Danni gets her face WHIPPED to the side by a hard hook. UGHH! Finch looking on fire now, wading in and pounding the Australian’s head back further, follows up with another hook that crashes straight into her nose and lips! The Australian model is reeling backwards, looking hurt! Another one-two shot to the tummy doubles her over, then a snap uppercut to the chin CRUMPLES her on the spot! Is it over before it began??

Not so - Danielle grumbling to herself as she rises back to her feet at the count of 8, looking more pissed than hurt. But she can’t deny those shaky legs of her trying to keep her upright. Finch looks ready to finish her off, but the bell saves Robertson to fight another round.

ROUND 5 and Danielle looking for some payback. Finch expects her to be hurt, not stride directly towards and then THUMP a right cross straight into her guard. Finch felt the power behind that blow, that’s for sure, as it sends her a few steps back - just enough time and space for Danielle to get in close and pound on the tummy. Good gosh - Danni not giving up on the body abuse, looking determined to break Finch in half, literally if she has to. Rachael fighting back by clinching up with her opponent, stopping the attack by eliminating the distance between them, and then only other option is to pound on Danielle’s sides and the ears, frustrating her with stiff shots dug into flesh. Danielle trying to get out of wrestling clinch, but the girls meet with an equal force as the time runs out on them both. Danielle almost cursing and resists the urge to take a last-minute swing at Finch’s head - thankfully gets restrained in time by the referee.

ROUND 6:
Both girls now rising from stool much slower than before, nursing some red bruises and bumps on their torsos. Rachael preps for the charge that never comes - instead, both girls circling each other, partly to catch their breaths, partly to not make a hasty mistake this late in the match. Of course, crowds came to see a fight, start chanting and urging them to get into each other’s faces. Rachael now first to get in range, shooting off a jab-jab combo that’s absorbed neatly on the arms. Rachael continuing to pound the long jab, occasionally slipping a punch past Danni’s defences, but doesn’t see that BIG counter-hook coming only after Danni successfully goads her into committing - right hand SWIVELS Rachael’s head on the spot as the former champ lets out a gurgle - she’s flung to the right from the wicked blow. Crowd on their feet as Danni steps in close to punish - right left right left up into the tummy keeps Rachael bent over as she’s draped helplessly on the ropes. Danni then snapping fists into the brunette’s chest and chin, sending her body convulsing in various directions. Where’s the bloody ref to call the match off when he needs to? Rachael looking all sorts of gone as her face is getting pounded silly, but the referee still refuses to issue a TKO decision. Instead, Danni hears the bell ring signalling the end of the round, lets out a crazed ‘NOO!! What the f*ck!?’ Rachael receiving saving grace by the bell, but honestly she’s looking like she’s in no condition to fight any longer: hunched over and gasping for air, examining damage to her body. Danni seems to agree, turning around to argue with the referee, who simply shrugs and orders her back to corner to prep for Round 7.

ROUND 7:
Doesn’t seem to be Danni’s night one bit - she just can’t seem to catch a lucky break so far in her career. She barrels out of corner looking to end the fight and regain her reputation once and for all. Rachael slow to rise and slow to start as well, but she seems ready for Danni: gloves start absorbing jabs and arms knocked about by the heavy hooks thrown at her face. Rachael regaining her footwork as she tries to use distance to negate much of Danni’s power punching. Danni instead getting tired out from chasing Rachael down, who doesn’t seem to want to engage. Suddenly, FInch rallies left just when Danni charges in right, with powerful hand designed to floor her - bad luck as Danni misses wide, goes barreling past Finch, spins back round and gets ROCKED by counter hook to the face from Finch, sending Danni pivoting on the spot and then crashing back into the ropes. Finch goes all in now: punches to unprotected stomach making Danni moan and groan on the ropes, then a ONE, TWO, THREE uppercut shots straight up between the forearms sends Danni’s head snapping back into the ropes and then SLIDING DOWN TO CANVAS IN A DAZE. It’s over folks! Danni’s knocked out completely - she’s making no attempt to climb back to her feet!

Official Decision: Rachael Finch defeats Danielle Robertson via KO7.

AFTER:
“Hell YES I’m back and already eyeing the gold. Danni was tough but she’s still fighting like a rookie. Once I found out her routine I was ALL over her.” Finch beaming and wide-eyed as she talks to reporters later.

Danielle Robertson finding herself in another hot mess as she recuperates in corner, tears forming at sides of eyes as she realizes she’s undeniably on a nasty losing streak. “F*ck this sh*t. I need to do something and fast,” is all she can manage to blubber to reporters, her voice shaking, before Head Trainer Henry Carvill carts her back to the locker room to reevaluate her future.