DANIELLE CAMPBELL VS FLORENCE PUGH

Results: Lookout Writing: Archer

Danielle: 26 YO, 5’3 (1.60 m), 27-16-0, 27 KO since 2014, Pretty Little Punchers

Florence: 25 YO, 5’3 ¾ (1.62 m), FCBA: 5-0-0. Since 2021, League of Mighty Women

Before: “I saw that Florence is undefeated in her first 5 FCBA fights and, well, I just had to check her out. She’s had some decent opponents like Katheryn Winnick and Maisie Williams, but now she going to have to deal with me,” Dani says at their re-PPV meeting with the press. “I think she may in for big shock.”

Florence just smiles: “I acknowledge you will be a challenge, Ms. Campbell, but I believe I will be up to it. I fear, Ms. Campbell, you are in the one in for a big shock.”

“We’ll see,” Danielle says clearly not impressed with the British actress’ warning. (She avoids answering questions about her Flyweight Title loss to Olivia Holt simply saying: “That’s history. I am looking to the future in this fight.”)

Come fight night Florence Pugh comes to ring and removes her robe, She’s in a black sports bra trimmed in white with matching trunks. White gloves and boots with black laces. Blonde hair in a ponytail. Danielle Campbell removes her robe to reveal a navy blue sports bra and blue jean trunks. Light blue gloves and boots with navy blue laces. Danielle’s dark hair pulled back in battle braid. Ring instructions go smoothly. Gloves are tapped and the fighters go to their corners. The bell rings…

R1: DC very aggressive as she goes at Florence firing to head and body while constantly moving to keep the newcomer guessing. Florence taking a lot of leather early, but keeps steady and pumps out a countering jab that lights up Dani’s face and breasts. Dani then seems to concentrate on a steady series of hooks to the body and looks to be trying to push Florence into the ropes. Florence hunched up, protecting her head and keeping that jag going as she back slowly, stubbornly to the bell. Result is a wide win for Danielle, but Florence looks stiff so she’s feeling all those Campbell punches, but her walk is firm as she returns to her corner.

R2: Out they come and Florence moves faster this time. Dani starts forward but runs into sharp cracking right off the jaw. Dani momentarily frozen as Florence able to clip DC’s chin with fast uppercuts before Campbell can cover up. Florence then starts in on Dani’s body with a steady, relentless barrage of hooks that tear into DC’s rib cage, belly and breasts. Dani doubled up, trying to keep her head covered and finally answering with body hooks of her own. Florence seems to brush off these counters while now swabbing away at Dani’s flanks with rib roasting punches. Round ends up with Florence smiling as Dani blinks at her with a surprised look on her face. Round goes to Florence Pugh by a wide margin.

R3: Danielle attacks Florence to the body as soon as she can get to her to begin the new round. Danielle driving hooks into ribs and belly, but Florence standing her ground and giving DC hooks right back to the body. Now the two of them are toe to toe, looking each other in the eye as they use short rights and lefts jerked up into each other’s straining bodies. Staying very even, but Florence seems to be getting extra leverage into her bows DC starts to shiver noticeably from the impacts of Florence’s mitts pounding her torso. Dani starting to give ground as she starts to gasp for air. DC still punching hard at bell, but losing ground to the newcomer. Judges give it to Florence by a narrow margin.

R4: Out they come again and Danielle on the offensive at the start once again, but this time she only feints to the body, while smashing big rights and lefts off Florence’s jaw. Florence looks to have been caught by surprise as she lurches back in confusion which allows DC to land a solid right uppercut to the chin. Florence’s legs tremble from the chin shot and she tries to back out of range, DC smiling grimly as she goes after the Brit blonde and there is a sharp exchange along the ropes. Dani trying to get Florence into the ropes, Florence trying to fight the veteran off and does manage to avoid being pinned on the strands. Florence slips out to mid ring, but Dani closes in again and she is banging shots off Florence’s head, then hooking her in the rib cage as the round ends. Danielle Campbell wins round wide and looks pleased with herself at the comeback. Florence breathing hard and shaking her head in dismay as he trudges to her corner. Getting worked over like that not in her fight plan.

R5: Florence trying to answer Danielle with an opening charge of her own, DC is smacked hard to the jaw and side of the head. DC circling away, but Florence in pursuit. Dani then strikes back with a straight right to the mouth and a left to the jaw. Florence’s advance stalls and DC steps forward to attack the blonde’s midsection. Florence on her heels at first, but digs and drives her gloved fists into DC’s body. Two now are in another body busting battle at point blank range. Sweat dripping down their bodies as each struggles for domination. Then Dani makes sudden step back, Florence lurches forward and takes a big right whack to the jaw. Florence stumbles to one side but gets her mitts up around her head to block DC’s follow-up. Dani goes back to the body and Florence able to answer which keeps the round close as the round ends and the judges total up the points.

R6: Bell sounds and both fighters move out quickly. Danielle lunges forward with a big swinging right hand aimed at Florence’s head. Florence swinging her right and manages to turn her head just enough so that DC’s punch whistles past her ear. BOOM! Florence’ right then crashes into Dani’s jaw and Dani staggers off to one side. Florence moves with the stricken Campbell and slams another big right off DC’s jaw. DOWN GOES DANI! Danielle slumps to all fours and then collapses in a heap. Referee moves in to count as Florence trots to neutral corner. Dani reviving, forcing herself up to all fours and finally making it to her feet at “NINE!” Referee looks uncertain as he checks DC who can be heard insisting: “I’m OK now!” Referee finally waves Florence in and Florence attacks DC with a furious barrage of head and body shots. Dani making a ragged retreat, has the ring cut off by Florence, who then drives her into a corner. Big, deep digging hooks jackknife Danielle and then a ringing right/left to chin slams DC back against the turnbuckle. Dani just hanging there, helpless and THE REF JUMPS IN! Official cradles a blank-eyed Dani to safety as Florence watches with obvious satisfaction.

THE WINNER: FLORENCE PUGH DEFEATS DANIELLE CAMPBELL TKO6!

After: “I said Danielle Campbell would be a challenge for me, but as you all saw, she was one I overcame,” Florence later tells the press. “I will admit she was a problem, but one I solved and punched her into a stoppage. I truly feel this fight was a major set forward for me. I think I am now a serious contender in the Flyweight Division.”

Danielle (for once) not so talkative post-fight: “I give her credit for having a big punch and knowing how to take advantage of an opportunity. I gave her that opportunity by being a little too rash at the start of the 6th. I missed with my right—and she didn’t. It was all downhill for me after that. I hope I get another crack at her down the road. I still think I can beat her. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time I got some rest.”

Florence Pugh and her LMW management has every reason to be encouraged by this victory. Danielle Campbell is a tough young fighter, but Florence cut her down. Perhaps she did get lucky, but seizing opportunities is the mark of a successful fighter and that’s what Florence did in the 6th. What comes next for the still undefeated (now 6-0) waits to be seen but FCBA flyweight fans are eager to see what comes next for Florence Pugh. As for Danielle Campbell, this had to have been a particularly painful defeat. Danielle was apparently hoping for a bounce back win after the disappointment of failed title shot against Holt, but now she’s lost a second time in 2021 with an overall record of 2-2. Fans hope she and her PLP management will find the way to right the ship and get Dani back on the winning path.