Kara Del Toro vs. Rachel Barnes

(Front Street Gym vs The Fighting Academy)

Results: Lookout!; Story: Front Street)

Contrast between these two models' level of success in the FCBA couldn't be greater. Rachel, after coming over from the BBU in 2019, hasn't managed a win in three tries. Meanwhile, Kara, who debuted in 2020, has run off eight straight wins. But, if Barnes is impressed...well, let's just say, she's NOT impressed. "Look, I haven't gotten a win yet, that's true," Rachel says with a smile. "But, I've been in with REAL fighters. This girl? She's nothing special. And, I'm going to PROVE it."

"The only thing she might prove," says Kara, "Is that she looks good sucking canvas. Because, that's what she's going to be doing when this is over!"

ROUND ONE:

Ladies get it ON early in the round. Far from playing the counterpuncher as we've seen before, Barnes goes right after Del Toro and plays into her hands. BOOM! A straight right hand from Kara and Rachel is HURT! Barnes stumbles back into the ropes and Kara goes all in, LATHERING her rival with flurry after flurry. But, here's where Barnes' defensive skills play. She's able to block, roll with, limit the damage. Oh, Del Toro's landing and scoring, but she's unable to find the finisher she's looking for, and, in fact, by the final minute, Barnes is firing back, giving as good as she gets. Last 30 seconds see Rachel work her way off the ropes and get to counter-punching, and she looks plenty good doing it, actually having the better of the exchanges late. At the bell, though, Kara's early work has carried the round wide and Del Toro leads 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

Kara pushing the action and NOW Rachel's counter punching really comes into play. The older model playing excellent defense, moving the head, hands, and feet, making Del Toro miss or blocking her, then filling the resultant openings with hard, accurate leather. Kara staying aggressive, but she's TOO aggressive and Barnes is taking full advantage, stinging the younger brunette again and again in counter. Del Toro's never hurt, but she's getting touched up in a major way, as the older woman gets into a nice rhythm, controlling things more and more from the counter as the round goes on. Last thirty seconds sees Barnes go onto the offensive, surprising Kara, backing her up with heavy leather and finishing off an excellent round in style. When the bell rings, it's Barnes and wide and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Kara still fighting lead, but toning down the aggression now. She's not going to make Rachel's job as counterpuncher easy. But, Barnes doesn't need it to be easy. She's good enough to score without her opponent getting overly aggressive and accurate enough in her rejoinders to give every bit as good as she gets even when Del Toro is more careful with her offense. Result is our first two-way round of the bout. Both fighters get work done, but neither is able to create any space. For every solid right landed by Kara on the attack, Barnes is able to land one in counter. Back and forth they go all the way into the final seconds when, yet again, Barnes jumps to the offensive, backing up Del Toro with a series of hard, accurate flurries. And, the late offense is enough to give Rachel the round and the 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

Pattern set as we begin the fourth. Kara on offense, Rachel fighting on the counter. And, again, both brunettes are getting work done. Del Toro playing it smart. Setting up right hands with the jab, getting punches out and back quickly, but Barnes still scoring well in the counter, slipping, blocking, then responding with sharp right hands. For the second round in a row, not a lot in it until...BOOM! A straight right from Kara and Barnes is HURT! Rachel wobbles and KARA DROPS HER WITH A RIGHT HOOK! Rachel crashing face first to the canvas. Del Toro quickly moving to a neutral corner. Ref counting down on the older brunette, who's trying to push up to hands and knees with no success. And, it's OVER! The count passes Barnes by and it's OVER! And your winner by KO4 is Kara Del Toro!

AFTER:

Del Toro's a little scuffed but clearly pleased with her performance. "She's slick defensively," Kara admits. "Tough to get with anything clean. So, you have to dial it back a little bit at times. But, eventually, I was GOING to get her. And, when I did, well. You saw where she ended up."