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15 August 2018 Amanda Righetti vs Yvonne Strahovski

Page history last edited by caspian2 4 years, 1 month ago

Posted by Bonzo Aug 16, 2018 at 4:43am

BONZO’S GYM SUMMER 2018 PPV EVENT

Circus Maximus, Rome: “FERRAGOSTO”, AUGUST 18, 2018

IV. (Main Event): Lightweight/Welterweight

AMANDA RIGHETTI (35 y/o, 5 ft 8, W: 80, L: 28) vs YVONNE STRAHOVSKI (36 y/o, 5 ft 9, W: 55, L: 25)

(Results: Lookout!, Words: Bonzo)

Before: Amanda Righetti, Yvonne Strahovski – you can’t get more elite than these two in their respective divisions, in which both have been among the top of the food chain for the good part of a decade, amassing five titles each plus ten and fourteen defenses between them. When Righetti fought at lightweight, she went from a promising talent to nothing more than a dark horse, left behind by other athletic television beauties, notably her long-time rival Erica Durance. Amanda and Yvonne met under these circumstances in 2008 – Strahovski’s third all-time fight, and – to put things into perspective – a time when Yvonne could still lose a KO2 to (!) Anne Hathaway of all people. Strahovski’s upstart mentality slugged out Righetti in a brutal TKO2 back then, introducing the Mentalist beauty to an absolute career nadir that would only end with a move to welterweight the year after. Naturally, Righetti still has feelings about that particular fight. Across her career, the redhead’s been occasionally confronted with the idea that she was an also-ran at light – subsequent ventures against lightweight champions including Durance, Biel, Garner and Palicki have wiped out those rumours, but there’s still extra motivation any time Righetti meets a light. Of course, if she had stayed there, Yvonne and her would have almost certainly become bitter, long-time rivals.

Division details don’t matter in this fight: Righetti’s supermodel troubles, Strahovski’s July PPV title loss ending an undefeated year and eight-fight winning streak don’t seem to play much of a role tonight – both women make clear how the pound-for-pound angle’s dominating this match-up. “Of course, I would have loved to fight Yvonne as champion” Amanda says. “But I’ve always made it clear that I wasn’t looking to fight just the lightweight champion – I wanted to fight the lightweight best pound for pound. I’m not looking to fight a diminished Yvonne, either. I want to beat her at her most confident. I don’t think the Torv loss has changed the pound for pound angle for this fight, though. If I had stayed at light back in the day, Yvonne would have become one of my biggest rivals and it’s a matter of pride to find out if I could have become as dominant at lightweight as I did at welter. Beating Yvonne’s the way to prove it.” – “It always feels good to be in a professionally competitive battle” Yvonne responds. “With Amanda and me, there’s no bitching, no trash-talking, no grandstanding. What I want to stress, though, is that it’s simply wrong to assume that in a battle of light and welter, the bigger girl’s bound to come out on top. Hand-speed, leg-speed, all these technical aspects – I just don’t think Amanda’s physicality can make that much of a difference against me, because there are so many other aspects to boxing where I think I have all the advantages.”

Last fight of the night…Bonzo’s Gym’s girls took a beating tonight, with all three fighters losing early, so it’s on their flagship fighter to save the night now, and Kira, Katrina and Camille are all in Amanda’s ring corner in support of her tonight…they’re a picture of misery, though: it’s like a first-row sickbay.

R1: Opening strides, early trades making clear this battle might come down to a confrontation of jabs – Amanda and Yvonne possess some of the most educated, strongest left hands in the business, and winning this fight will be about asserting that control against the most dangerous of foes. Strahovski introduces ‘Manda to her lightweight poke with a stunning enforcer’s mentality, as she’s rotating left around the jab, her bouncing gait allowing her to work effectively towards Amanda’s left eye when Righetti still negotiates, pedals. Yvonne’s elbows kept in, mitts up…she’s setting the pace across minute one, batting hooks to Righetti’s right ear, sending shockwaves down strong body, lathering ‘Manda’s firm chassis/flanks via lick-lick right hands. Righetti’s been introduced to faster fighters with the supermodel generation at welter, but early Yvonne’s annoyingly elusive for strong redhead jab, courtesy of blonde’s well-kept balance, torso movement – Strahovski’s impressive arsenal on display, as she’s taking pivots, slides-backs, feints when Righetti’s stomping forward, searching for the jab all while pestering her opponent’s guard via jumpy jabs.

Righetti’s left launches across minute two as big redhead finds her own legs, adjusting to tempo…she’s a-bobbin’ her way forward, but struggling with Yvonne’s rightward pivots as blonde takes those loping turns around her, rolling body outside Righetti’s left mitt. ‘Manda ramping up work rate, risk throughout round, though, walking forward with more authority – she leans into left-handed hooks across the neck/shoulders, dropping stout two-three-four series of jabs to guard/skull slowing blonde down, thick-ish right hands plowing into solarplexus/core to freeze Strahovski’s swirling legs. Across minute three, Righetti’s power consolidates…she’s got Yvonne halted in spots, wading in immediately to lean in, reach around Yvonne’s hips to bull-rush her into ropes. Lashing body work from Righetti in spots now, stroking Strahovski’s lower back, flanks, ribs as blonde tilts into clinches, mouth opening into little gasps resting on Righetti’s shoulder. Opening round a blueprint of the battle to be: all strengths on display and judges rightfully resort to score it a draw.

R2: Yvonne steps back into the fray in stiff-jabbing mode, keeping the twitching left almost outstretched to apply firm, steady pressure, pik-pak, pik-pak. Righetti awaits her, starting out in big-legged stance mid-ring, hoping to roll her own jab into solid trade…’Manda steps into the harm, toeing away under some of the strokes, but just pretty much leaning inside/forward at some false moments. Short, chopping toe-to-toe exchanges end in Righetti fetching robust harm from Yvonne’s more mobile work – side-arms into flanks, driving righty hooks to jaw, short, drifting lefts to mouth – redhead accordingly forms peek-a-boo stance as action changes into motion. Strahovski’s pressure establishing…stiff-jabs to chest, tummy, followed by leftward, clockwise pivots to deny Righetti’s left angles to score, counter. Right hands to Righetti’s body follow, mostly palms-down, cuffing her lats…short, drifting uppercuts jolt redhead bra, sends ‘Manda hopping out in alarm.

Strahovski dominates ranges, angles: she’s stepping away wide, out of redhead reach, then dipping all the way back in to deliver straight, palm-down strokes into Righetti’s gut, ribs. Walk-down, Strahovski as second round turns into shut-out: double jab, thick right crosses staggering ‘Manda on the spot to mouth/jawline. ‘Manda forms rope-side stances, her face almost in gloves, riding out Yvonne’s lashing body work, elbows tucked in, weight on right leg. Yvonne’s hips/torso torquing left, right in exquisite fashion as she’s licking her foe strokes across the gut, hoping short right hooks will split Righetti’s mitts. Big Rigs too wild and strong to hold/clutch into ropes for more than firm stretches at this point, and Straho doesn’t attempt it yet – she’s content to let a haymaking Righetti out, then step out wide again, pick her up again via the stiff jab, form new short, dominant moments at the ropes.

R3: Righetti starts establishing her own jab now, rotating behind it in concentrated, patient counter-clockwise pivots…she’s often bobbing rightward on the spot, luring Straho’s left arm out, then making blonde eat blunt right hands across the side when pivoting in. Yvonne shunted, bullied to mouth, cheeks by Amanda’s left…Righetti steps forward in the crouch, tilting into driving uppercuts that bash Straho upside her temple, graze her hairline in thick, thumping fashion…sudden wallop’s got Yvonne stepping gingerly, spooked. ‘Manda bodyin’ up on Yvonne with welter authority when blonde’s back-pedalled into ropes…she’s stepping with Yvonne’s sliding gaits across the cables, hands steadily palming blonde’s hips, setting her girl into right positions, then reaches arms back for sweeping thwacks into Strahovki’s mid-section. Yvonne grunting on receipt, punches thrashin’ out, trying to bully her way out of Amanda’s shove n’ slug – Righetti crowds, mauls her blonde, chin out across Vonnie’s left shoulder blade, not shying away from shoulder bumps, forearms across Straho’s gut, flanks. When action moves away from the apron, Righetti’s jab work asserts itself: Yvonne such a skillful, savvy range fighter, but she’s struggling against Amanda’s physicality when redhead’s got the initiative established, finding it difficult get inside Righetti’s jab rhythms…’Manda’s pumping jabs and short hooks across the neck/guard constantly batter Vonnie back into ropeside across the round, her tempo/work rate relentless.

R4: Amanda confident, her sophisticated lopes in pursuit of browbeaten blonde seeming easy, in control…she’s got her fists low-slung in rangy approaches across Yvonne’s left flanks, then crouching the left shoulder, picking out strong, firm jab pressure over Straho’s left shoulder/neck/biceps as Aussie stays boarded up via both mitts. Strahovski allowing these ranges, not walking forward into ‘Manda’s fists, back-pedalling in dosed, controlled fashion, anticipating to prompt wide righty hammers off her shoulder. Righetti sets jabs at high-pace, using them to stamp palms-down right hands thudding to Straho’s rack and tummy, leaning shoulders/back into whacking blasts across blonde’s chassis.Work rate, intensity of combinations (jab, jab immediately followed by rights, all the time) slam Yvonne onto her heels, spur her into ropes time and time again. Strahovski’s a strong-legged beauty, certainly not helpless at the ropes, but increasingly entrapped: her counter rights, lefty hooks growing a little sheepish in spots, just not applying dangerous front-door pressure against stalking redhead here. Second minute winding down at Righetti’s hard-handed mastery: jabs keep Straho’s right hand firmly at face, straight rights process her gut, ribs, boobs…’Manda not afraid to body up on Vonnie, fix her torso right when blonde stoops forward off ropes, or hangs on to clinch…no doubt, Straho’s a disheveled beauty, her mouth opening in exhaustion against Amanda’s brutality.

Thumping rope-side battle-sites remain the standard set-up this round, but Yvonne’s legs still carry her out of harm’s way at times…’Manda continues her stalking approach with depressing patience each time, immediately drillin’ jabs to stay in control. Forty seconds to go, and FINALLY, Vonnie’s got the jab one-two intercepted, fitting back a STOUT, short swipe across Righetti’s left jawline, and ‘Manda’s eyes GO BLANK for a second: brusque shock’s got her flabbergasted! Righetti still in that loose pursuit stance, her hands at waist, just slightly pedaling backward…Vonnie steps-with her in forward pursuit, pasting limber left-handed slaps to ‘Manda’s face as she’s walking ahead, tagging the redhead’s chin, and TAGGIN’ IT…Righetti’s turn to stagger into ropes to her right, finally raising mitts to deny further danger before Straho can clip her the right hand. Yvonne turns to stalk, battering her redhead foe some belting, shuddering blasts across the lats, flanks, beginning the hard task of diminishing Righetti’s physicality in a wide Righetti round turned VERY close.

R5: Match-ups of jabs goes Straho’s way early, leaning in bendy and limber, halting Amanda’s own forward initiative via the bobbin’ crouch, the joltin’, lungin’ jabs to Righetti’s mouth, eye. Vonnie’s receiving redhead’s stiff, short jabs to block on guard/arms, exploding into angular lefty hooks, moving Amanda’s flanks, torso in circular turns, clockwise pivots, sneaking up on Big Rigs by way of the left-handed shrugged uppercuts, making redhead bump into her punch whenever ‘Manda steps in righty. Minute one exchanges end in Righetti forming peek-a-boo stance in frustration, falling off Straho’s pace, picked up steady, so steady by Yvonne’s masterful left hand, feinting, trudging her into harm…pretty much all redhead offense ends in Straho’s poke, and Vonnie’s cuffing uppercuts to rack have ‘Manda’s bra all in waggle, impact rocking her off stance. Strahovski being physical, too, strappin’ the Righetti gut in limber, whippin’ fashion – Amanda slides, turns away from the harm.

Straho rolling in the pocket at apron positions throughout later stretches of round…her right crosses batter thru to ‘Manda’s earmuff…Yvonne takes slide-steps back, allowing Righetti’s back to dislodge from cables, although the redhead’s stooping forward slightly. Vonnie baits Rigs the lefty uppercut…’Manda leans in left via jab just as Straho expected, and blonde corks her the right cross, wham…Rigs arches her back from hips, and Straho misses it juuussst – now SHE’S the one walking into Amanda’s counter poke, getting picked up majestically by a wild, swinging righty uppercut from Righetti’s hips to the left ear, pitching head aside whup! Both girls stagger to mid-ring, hands low…lots of baits, feints, clinches happen, girls riding it out until the bell despite ref’s hasty breaks.

R6: Girls stepping out in those clockwise, counter-clockwise pivots, propping backs/shoulders into pumping left hands, both looking to score big, then stalk the other girl from there. Some pressure from Righetti: two, three-ish jab sequels to Vonnie’s mouth/ears, extensive, sweeping left hands cramping up blonde’s firm tummy meat. Jabs competitive, but Straho’s hand-speed, all-rounder’s punching arsenal outstrip redhead output across first minute. Leggy escapes around ‘Manda’s flank let ‘Vonnie nick Righetti’s tummy, lats, lower back in effective attacks, clobbering redhead face via sprucin’ jabs to face as Straho rolls into range…she forces Rigs into passivity via whirlwind-ish hazes of left, right punches, left, right hooks, combinations…Amanda’s left hand a patient, devastating pursuer of Straho’s guard/skull, but it’s the speed (legs, hands) that’s getting to her…more and more, ‘Manda’s mitts stay up, sloshing to protect her face against Strahovski’s torrent of punches!

Yvonne does what few can here: she’s out-punching Amanda in solid toe-to-toe, finally walking redhead backward and backward, has her stepping delicately away from Vonnie’s all-around poke, her steps a little wobbly, head dizzy from steady turns-away from Straho’s short, wide, straight, hooked, crossed punchwork. One and a half minutes of breezy, leggy torment in textbook fashion: this is how Straho’s team must have put it on their blueprint for this fight. Phase two: hurt Amanda. Righetti retained on the outside from Strahovski’s mid-ring stance, loping away from the harm…Yvonne’s penetrating, gaiting, spurting into range fast…right cross to Amanda’s chin, and a dipping, ripping left uppercut to sternum bunches ‘er up hurt, has Big Rigs wobbly-butt on the spot! Strahovski’s weight on right leg, leaning back for a walloping hook between ‘Manda’s mitts, tagging the chin again: girls move left, right in the pocket, lockstep…Amanda in earmuff, Straho hands loose, rolling, blocking Righetti’s lefty hook on elbow/forearm, then tidies up on the Righetti jaw via short-chop right.

Vonnie weaves away from redhead’s wild-ish body hooks, dippin’ below the jab, then blasts her to chin AGAIN – the palm-down full-throttle right sweeps Righetti off her feet, PITCHES HER her onto canvas in devastating fashion! Amanda staring at the lights on back/elbows, her mouth open in shock, finally heaving her head to roll onto side, stagger up with a groan, form guarded stance to ref – she’s good to go at 7! Long forty, fifty seconds for Righetti on the clock, but her leggy strides out of Straho’s range look legit – ‘Manda digging into trenches of defense, answering back stout, brutal top hooks, guh-uh, guu-uh, to the point of exhaustion just to keep blonde away from her guard/face here. Vonnie SO disappointed at Righetti denying her the finish, taking solid bashes upside the head, face just to get back at ‘er until she finally pedals out…but down the stretch, Yvonne’s lefty jab lunges in to Righetti’s teeth again, snapping her head starboard and folding redhead torso into ropes just before the BELL – wow! Crowd on its feet: Yvonne’s versatility, her limber punching frenzy simply on fire this round, making Righetti give up her jaw to blonde time and again.

R7: Righetti imperatively shrewd, lures Strahovski ever more forward into all-out drive, falling back herself from pressure on slidin’, draggin’ feet while regaining her own legs….back-pedalling ‘Manda presents Vonnie with slick, unsuspected poke…she’s greasing the Strahovski front via short, glib counter jabs to guard, mouth, hairline, darting deft lead right hands in sudden gaiting lunges, forward tacks to rack/sternum, slipping and weaving to emerge unscathed from Vonnie’s orderly jab set-ups across first minute. Straho obviously bothered by Righetti’s legginess at this stage, but she’s self-obliged to do the stalkin’ now, pumping the long-stick to get weight, range on redhead, just not able to use the same sort of variety as before. Some nasty surprises for blonde, but a well-tagged Strahovski’s trekking thru the swamp of ‘Manda’s counter licks – finally fixing Righetti’s butt-in-apron after fraught minute and a half of leading her ‘round the ring. Things don’t get easier for Vonnie – Righetti’s feet planted wide, parallel, leaning in with extended lefts palming Straho’s head/shoulder to open space to pour the right crosses against the blonde’s skull, lefty uppercuts from arched back clipping Yvonne on her way in, all from a very tight, compact stance to roll with Vonnie’s punches…Righetti does a gorgeous job of denying her opponent the anticipated leverage, dominance at ropes.

YVONNE GOES DOWN! Shrug left hook from weight on planted right foot socking Yvonne’s temple in SMACKING fashion…Strahovski’s staggering backward in a haze of wobbly steps until she finally sits down on her butt, thud, shaking her head in disbelief, blonde beauty all disheveled as she’s scrambling her legs to rise. Straho’s serviceable after taking a robust five count! Righetti moves out of her ropes now, planting herself mid-ring to drill Vonnie backward via set-piece jabs, counter-clockwise pivots, working out of a bobbing crouch as she’s stepping forward – ‘Manda careful with her range, just keeping steady, always be touchin’ poke on Yvonne, focusing on some lanky body shots to blonde’s flanks, lats. Straho moving well, lock-stepping away from ‘Manda’s left, but stays in earmuff for rest of round. Good, thumping pressure, Righetti – hard series of right, right, right battering into Straho’s guard late, the short lefty shovin’ blonde into ropes just before the bell.

R8: Righetti kicking out of her corner with wide, belligerent steps, introducing Strahovski to strappin’ licks across the tummy, tucked in sweet and mean under Straho’s elbows, looking to own blonde tummy, rotating her torso from the crouch to lean full body into her left/right whacks, just a-shovin’ blonde girl backward via pure weight of shots. Strahovski responding with the adequate groans, grimaces to her torment, staying peek-a-boo as legs bob/see-saw her out of the hurt…’Manda’s jabs bore into Yvonne’s reserves, just numbingly battering into Vonnie’s defensively placed arms, one-two, one-two pressure forming steady as redhead’s looking to outpace Straho on delivery, impact. Righetti steps right, spinning almost-sidearm lefts into gritty gut hooks. Vonnie punched onto heels on occasion…blonde desperate to force trades, more thumping exchanges throughout minutes two, three as elegant Aussie tries to fetch raw power to change momentum, those WILD, swingin’, lungin’ haymakers non-characteristic for sleek blonde technician.

Amanda SO alert during these moments, though – she’s stepping, hopping left/right, tacking her skull away, crouching low under the wallops, all while walking forward behind the jab poke – just no instant relief for battered blonde here. Third minute ALL Amanda: now she’s bodying up again, bull-rushin’ Straho into ropes, wrapping up her shoulder to pump in rights to tummy/tits, leaning her left forearm onto blonde’s upper back big-girl to make her take weight. Methodical work: left hands to gut, right hooks thudding to temple – it’s the short, shrug right hand snapping Vonnie’s head back over top cable that has the blonde’s torso stumbling into ropes, tying up in shock until ‘Manda wriggles free, shoves her girl steady via palming arms, gets back to work relentlessly. Oh, Yvonne’s a busted-up vixen at the bell, leaning back into ropes during break, eyes blank with exhaustion!

R9: Righetti extending via the jab, drawing thudding forward pressure behind it from the bell, pumping ‘em…right hook bashing Vonnie’s left arm, short, spearing straight-left to blonde’s solarplexus bunching blonde up hurt, shrugging uppercut battering side of Straho’s ear/cheek in knockout lusty swing. Crowd-pleasing spank pulling audience to its feet – suddenly Straho’s drawing the short right from her peek-a-boo stance inside the incoming jab, catching redhead upside left jawline…now suddenly ‘Manda’s wobbly-butt! Girls start trading heaviest toe-to-toe of the night: Righetti bobbin’, hoppin’, but now on the backfoot, pullin’ huge, throbbin’ uppercuts from her hips, both arms strapping wide – Straho approaching again, too, lunging into short, vicious hooks across Righetti’s front. Amanda’s heavy right missing blonde jaw…Vonnie’s jab combo clobbering Righetti’s temple, mouth stiff…girls move in lock-step, their feet parallel. A Righetti jab to Yvonne’s mouth, whack…but the righty whizzes past blonde’s shoulder…Strahovski explodes into jerking, shrugging little hook across redhead teeth, has ‘Manda stepping away, back-pedalling, her head lowered…blonde steps right, pulling gigantic righty uppercut, bashing into Amanda’s cheek/ear! What a blast…her strong legs save Righetti, but she’s the vulnerable vixen now, her eyes staring in shock as her butt hits ropes, torso loose on thick legs.

Strahovski wide-eyed, groaning with exhaustion as she’s ramming ‘em straight jabs to stabilize Amanda…it’s all lefts, smashing Righetti’s face into gloves as Big Rigs steps-with, falters, guard a-shuddering. Haymaker from Righetti’s lap! Huge, pulling blast catching Straho upside her right eye…Vonnie kinks starboard, then rising to lunge into short, vicious counter right to jaw…now Righetti’s stunned, too hurt to answer! Vonnie’s legs to her rescue, rotating around a hunched, earmuffed ‘Manda now, the left exposed, outstretched, keeping redhead buttered…blonde dictates range again, allowing her to roll around a slower Righetti now, PUNISH HER by way of the left-hand pump, and she does! ‘Manda rolls, hops as best as she can, tacking out of the toe-to-toe trade now, seeming hurt. Devastating jab pressure from Strahovski, but Amanda’s legs suck ‘em up like a warrior, her buttocks shuddering under these howitzer blasts, giving up her tummy/ribs for safe-ish earmuff guard. Down the stretch: big, bad Righetti butt in ropes, head bent to chest, shoulder almost rolled into top rope, left at temple, right crossed across tits…a wide-eyed, wide-legged Straho positioned off of her, picking out spots to hurt her redhead via the left, more right hands bashing in. Girls don’t know, but judges got the fight even after nine vicious heats as legendary fighters erase their opponent’s advantage again, again and AGAIN…one round a draw, one knockdown each, four rounds each…what a scenario as fight goes full distance into the tenth!

R10: Some caution on both sides in decisive tenth round, but it won’t last long…some pivots, turns-away, some outstretched left pokes from clockwise, counter-clockwise circles, jabs just a-pawin’ their way forward, chins tucked in, heads alert/springy, torsos rotating, rights at guard…girls straining their last reserves from battered legs to hop, roll out of incoming punches, form new regular stances. Strahovski’s legs marvelous throughout minute one…she’s starting to cut off the ring, stepping up tempo and pinging the jab steady to find ‘Manda’s mouth, temple as Righetti’s bobbin’, weavin’, blocking to feint jerking answer jabs. Angles, ranges both seeming to favor blonde Aussie now, see her stepping away and away from redhead’s jabwork as round progresses, forming left shoulder toward redhead’s right flank, turning around her in fast steps (in the tenth!) – Righetti stays patient in her strong stance, stalking blonde via the shorty jabs, trying to time Vonnie’s turns, pivots better, nicking short jabs across the guard/neck in spots, trying to halt those legs for punishment.

Clock ticking down…Straho’s still elusive, but ‘Manda’s jab ups the pressure. Scene from late in minute two: ‘Manda dragging her foot, almost sliding into ropes…and FITS Vonnie the short, brutal left hook, steered from her hips onto Yvonne’s right ear/cheekbone! Blonde corkscrewing to her side in a hurry from brusque impact, lock-stepping away on sinewy, wobbly legs…Righetti walks out of the corner, her hands low, then starts strapping ‘em. Thumping wallop across Straho’s flanks has blonde forming peek-a-boo stance, her elbows placed defensively. Wide left strap, Righetti, pummels blonde’s ribs…wide right strap, pummels blonde’s rack…’Mands ducks, rolls outta the Strahovski jab, lunges into strong, drifting lefty uppercut to Vonnie’s mouth. Thud impact LIFTS Aussie onto her heels, then tilts her back the other way…she’s just staggering into Big Rigs…’Manda palms ‘er hips, tying up on arms while leaning her back/shoulder forward, and shoves Straho into ropes! Step back: a short, jolting jab from Righetti, drifting to Vonnie’s mouth, jawline, guh…and YVONNE ROARS BACK from the ropes, crushing the left haymaker beneath ‘Manda’s jaw, her fangs all bared!

Righetti’s grimaces in hurt, stumbling backwards a few steps…Straho’s treading onward, torso sliding back and forth on loose legs, extending arm into the jab, but ‘Manda’s head’s bobbing past it, and SHE explodes into a shrugging right hand uppercut, all shoulder-powered blast, weight behind it…and she’s got Vonnie walkin’ into it. Yvonne’s chin getting TAGGED, she drops her hands to lap as she’s staggering backward, her head toggling back n’ forth, and Righetti just shoves the lefty hook smiting across Vonnie’s jaw one more time, bombing Strahovski’s stiffening torso onto her back in overwhelming fashion. Yvonne crashes down fast, her arms flopping to the side, eyebrows in frown, eyes glassy…she’s OUT! Righetti standing over her fallen foe, then roaring out, pounding mitts to chest in triumph…last minute KO10 Amanda Righetti!

After: Action does turn civilized in the Bonzo’s Gym corner despite flashes of mayhem in instant celebration of the stable’s only victory in what was supposed to be a showcase event. After the ref’s done his counting on battered Yvonne, with Strahovski propped up, getting smelling salts, Amanda’s there to hug her rival all right. Lightweight vs welterweight, with a clear pound for pound angle…how Righetti and Strahovski battered each other in this thrilling back-and-forth battle all night long was a ten-round thriller. This fight had it all: Strahovski, the leggy ring magician, Righetti turning counter-puncher, as both girls were able to rally against their opponent’s strengths, steadily adjusting against things that didn’t work, either by the necessary technical changes or by using brute-force power. Loss leaves blonde Strahovski shell-shocked after back-to-back defeats following the title fight against Torv, just ahead of her entry into the upcoming lightweight tourney …Righetti avenges her 2008 loss, now striking together a formidable string of wins after failing to wrest the title from Tahnee’s hands earlier in the year. As for the latest title fight at welter, Righetti says: “Upton/Atkinson needed to happen in a title bout now…it’s the biggest fight that could have happened at this point. I just want back into the title fray as soon as possible, too.”