Paige vs. Gal Gadot
(Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)



BEFORE:

Pair of fighters who would appear to have the physicals, but have not exactly covered themselves with glory in the FCBA, sporting a combined TWO wins between them. But, neither is lacking confidence before this one.

"No," says Gal with a shake of the head, "I haven't really had any FCBA success yet. But, all I need is the work. I've got the talent. And, I'll show that tonight."

"Look," says a hard-eyed Paige, "It's too late for her. She's already past 30 and she hasn't done a thing in the ring aside from getting a title shot she didn't deserve. But. I'm not even in my prime yet. I have time. And, I have all the physical ability in the world. It's going to happen for me. And that starts tonight."

ROUND ONE:

Gadot surprises everyone and doesn't aggressively come after Paige early. The Israeli's MO is getting physical immediately and trying to bring her power to bear, but, against a girl who's just as strong and athletic, Wonder Woman wants to box. And, with the length and hands she has, that's not a bad strategy. She sets up at range and gets to work. For Paige's part, she's fine with this. She moves very well, angles, and uses her feet to get to spots where she can get punches put together and on target. And, while those who expected these two to begin throwing bombs from the outside might be disappointed, true fight fans have to like what they're seeing, because both of these ladies have solid boxing skills and both are able to score with both hands and get their respective offenses going in a two-way round that's plenty close at the bell. When it rings, Paige has gotten the points narrowly and leads 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

Younger woman seems to have gotten the geometry down now and she takes control early. She's getting combinations on, forcing the older woman to cover up, and, eventually, to back up. A short right hook follows and THAT HURT GADOT! Gal quickly covers up and Paige lets the hands go in a big way. The wrestler hammers away with both hands, driving a wobbling Wonder Woman before her and trapping her on the cables. Beat down commences. Paige goes body, head, back to the body, getting leather all over her rival as Gal leans back in the ropes, taking, rolling with punches, keeping the guard high, hanging on desperately. Referee on a hair trigger, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation, but, somehow, the Israeli is able to hang on and keep him at bay until, mercifully, the bell rings. When it does so, Paige has grabbed the round wide and extended her lead to 20-18.

ROUND THREE:

Paige right back to the offensive, backs Gal into the ropes almost immediately, but, now, Gadot shows a new dimension. She's fighting counter off the cables. This isn't quite Britney Spears pocket stuff, but it's a decent imitation. Gal keeping the gloves high, moving the head and feet, slipping, dipping, countering sharply in spots. Early on, Paige gets the better of this, but, as the round goes on, Gal's offense improves. Soon, she's holding her own, and, in the final minute, she begins taking control, actually backing up the younger woman with some good right hands and throwing her onto the defensive. Israeli is now fighting lead, making up the stagger and slowly pulling ahead of the retreating wrestler. In the final seconds of the round, roles have completely reversed, with Gadot trapping Paige on the ropes and finishing strong with some heavy leather. At the bell, Gal grabs it close and cuts her deficit to 29-28.

ROUND FOUR: 

Gal able to keep up the momentum from the late third round. She's getting rolling now, getting that long left hand on, setting up Paige for hard rights, keeping the younger woman on the defensive. Wrestler unable to get anything going, unable to get off. Seems like all she's doing is covering up, waiting her turn, and her turn never comes. Corner shouting for her to move the feet, get off square, but Gadot's keeping her there, controlling her with the left hand. Paige taking too much hard, heavy shot. She's getting backed up and touched up. Gal, meanwhile, staying patient. She's dialing up the pressure, but only slightly. She's not going to get sloppy now that she's got everything going. Instead, she just keeps working, keep controlling her rival and piling up points. By the bell, Gadot's claimed the round wide and evened the fight at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Corner in Paige's ear between rounds, letting her know she's got to move the feet, play some angles, not hang around on the end of Gal's punches. Paige listens, comes out bouncing, circling, looking to work the jab. Gadot, though, quickly cuts the ring, gets some hard leather on target and ROCKS PAIGE WITH A RIGHT HAND! Englishwoman GOBSMACKED! Stumbling backward as Gadot pours into the breach, banging away with big right hands, driving Paige to the ropes and then giving her a thorough working over. Younger woman's sturdy legs are holding her up, but they're being severely tested by Gadot's power. BOOM! A short right hook and Paige drops past Gal's right shoulder to crash face first to the canvas! Gal quickly to a neutral corner to watch and wait. Paige unmoving for several seconds, finally tries to push to hands and knees at seven, but sinks back down to the canvas. It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Gal Gadot!

AFTER

Israeli beauty glowing in the post fight. She hasn't tasted victory often in the FCBA, and she's enjoying it. "This is just the beginning," the brunette says with a lovely smile. "I can fight with the top lightweights in the FCBA. I just need more opportunities like this one. And, if management gets them for me, they won't be disappointed."