BEFORE:

"My FCBA debut has been too long in coming," says Haley with a smile. "But, I'll make it worth the wait."

"New year and new roster," says Gemma with a smile. "But, the same, old Gemma, going out and getting the job done."



ROUND ONE:

O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'Slam' you hear behind us..."

McCarthy: "This song is HORRIBLE..."

Cassie: "IF you read the prep material, you'd know that the song is from the film 'Music and Lyrics' and was written as an example of bad teen pop..."

McCarthy: "I don't read Lavigne's PROPAGANDA..."

Tess: "Um, Avril hasn't been at Front Street in SOME time..."

McCarthy: "Oh, she's still involved. Weirdo isn't fooling ME..."

O'Dell (sighing): "The song in question is being sung by the star of that film and the young lady coming to the ring right now, Haley Bennett!"

McCarthy: "Who is a typical Dancing Hooker Opponent with NO FCBA wins."

O'Dell: "Bennett into the ring and helped off with the robe to reveal a hunter green number that's gotten the crowd all hot and bothered, and, that's 'London Calling' hammering through the arena, and that can only mean that 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton, is on her way to the ring..."

Tess: "No question Gems looking for another shot at the gold in 2020, and, if that's going to happen, she needs to take care of business tonight."

O'Dell: "Arterton into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve. She's wearing that violet number we've seen before and looking very good in it. And, the ladies are about ready. Time for some picks. Tess likes Gemma. Mac?"

McCarthy: "Again, NO FCBA wins. Arterton."

O'Dell: "Cassie?"

Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"

O'Dell: "Two straight unanimous panels. And, Gems right to work trying to make us look good. She's stepping to Bennett behind that right jab, backing her rival up. Haley trying to hold canvas, but not getting that done at the moment, as the veteran brunette is having her way."

McCarthy: "Well, give Arterton credit. She must have learned something from Torv, because this is what you do against a girl you should beat."

O'Dell: "Go right after her. No question about that. Haley engaging in a fighting retreat, but retreating is what she's doing at the moment, no question about that. Gems working some body as well now, as she's getting right into rhythm early. GOOD right from Gemma there, and that got Haley's attention."

Tess: "Arterton giving Bennett ZERO time to get acclimated in there."

O'Dell: "Down to fifteen seconds in the first. Gemma's been in control the entire way, and that's not going to change in the final seconds. Good right hand by the blonde there, her best punch of the round, but it's much too little, too late. There's the bell and it's Arterton wide."



ROUND TWO:



O'Dell: "Gems continuing to pressure and Bennett tying her up in there now. Not a bad move for Bennett. Gems shoving free and HALEY CATCHES HER WITH A RIGHT HOOK! That wobbled Arterton! Ref was about to break the pair but didn't, so the punch is legal and it was effective..."

McCarthy: "We may be seeing a HUGE upset..."

O'Dell: "Bennett pouring fire on a wobbly Gems. Arterton backed to the ropes and taking. Blonde winging with everything she has, trying to take the brunette out of there, but, Gems hanging on, at least for the moment. She's jabbing back here and there, doing enough..."

Cassie: "Ref looking in closely..."

O'Dell: "Sure is, and the blonde is doing everything she can to finish this thing right now. She's literally throwing everything she has at Gemma, but the veteran playing good defense, rolling with punches, running clock, and there's the bell. Second in the books. Bennett, wide."

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



ROUND THREE:



O'Dell: "Bennett in control as we start the third. Gemma giving ground, staying on the defensive, still doesn't appear to have the legs back. Haley more than willing to fight lead here. She's stepping to Gems at every opportunity, sitting down on punches, trying to pile up hurt..."

Cassie: "And, she's piling up points while she's doing it."

O'Dell: "No doubt, but I think hurt is more important right now. Bennett can't be thinking about trying to get to the cards with a former champ like the brunette. She wants to try to end this thing before we get anywhere near that far, and that's what she's doing right now."

Tess: "And, Gemma knows it, which is why she's playing so much defense."

O'Dell: "No question. Twenty seconds to go in the third. Arterton lands a good right hand counter there. That's her best punch since the first. Blonde responds with a nice combination. Gemma banging back and we've got a firefight going on right now, but there's the bell before any more damage can be done. Bennett. Wide."

McCarthy: "And, the kid is up 29-28 after three."



ROUND FOUR:



O'Dell: "Bennett right back to the offensive as we start the fourth and Gems firing back at her and we're going to see another firefight to start the fourth! Ladies letting the hands go, looking to impose will and ARTERTON ROCKS BENNETT! Haley staggered by a BOOMING right hand..."

McCarthy: "Lucky punch!"

O'Dell: "Gemma going all in right now, backing up the blonde, letting her have it with heavy shot. Haley with the hands high, playing defense, backed to the ropes and Arterton starts digging body like Neve Campbell! Gems working the flanks, ribs, belly, wants to bring that guard down..."

Tess: "And, to her credit, Haley keeping it high..."

O'Dell: "Is, indeed. Fifteen seconds left in the round, Gems upstairs, back down, back up again. She's looking to close this thing out, but Bennett riding it out pretty well. She's taking shell, but shipping it and she'll do that right to the bell. No question it's Arterton's round wide, but Haley still standing and still even at 38."



ROUND FIVE:



O'Dell: "Arterton looking to finish this thing, stepping to the blonde early, backing her up with hard, accurate shot. Brit showing why she was Unified Lightweight Champion, combining skill and power as she picks the blonde's defense apart. Bennett firing back in spots..."

McCarthy: "Just got to keep throwing punches in a situation like that. Keep banging."

O'Dell: "And, that's what Haley's doing, to her credit. She's not backing down, but she's BEING backed UP, because Gems has the range and she's calling in the heavy artillery. Bennett covers up as Gems lands a hard flurry and Haley CRUMPLES FACE FIRST TO THE CANVAS!"

Cassie: "Couple of BRUTAL shots in there!"

O'Dell: "Bennett pools at Gemma's feet and the British brunette heads to a neutral corner. Count at three. Four. Five. Haley pushing to all fours at six. Seven. Eight. Not going to happen. Nine. TEN! It's OVER! The blonde still on hands and knees as the count passes her by, and your winner by KO5 is 'The Gravesend Gladiator', Gemma Arterton!"

Tess: "Not a bad effort from Bennett, but out of her depth."



AFTER:



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

Tess: "I have our winner, Gemma Arterton, and, Gems, she can HIT..."

Gemma (smiling): "No question. Knew that coming in. She can cause problems in this division with that power."

Tess: "But, it wasn't enough to beat YOU..."

Gemma (smiling): "Well. I'm in a different league. But. This girl might have the talent to get there. We'll see."