BEFORE:
"Let's do some calculations here," says Jessica with a smile. "Last time I was here, I gave Winter all she wanted and should have beaten her. And, Winter is five times the fighter THIS girl is. Even McCarthy can do THAT math..."
"The only math Simpson will be doing when I'm done with her," says a thin-lipped Peyton, "Is counting the lights above the ring while she's flat on her back."
ROUND ONE:
O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'', and here comes the singer of this cover version of the song, Jessica Simpson!"
McCarthy: "Who is going to deal with ME if I hear one more smart remark out of her!"
O'Dell: "Simpson bouncing down the aisle and into the ring, clearly having fun being here tonight. She's helped off with the robe, and the crowd popping for Jessica in that coral number we've seen before..."
McCarthy: "I should go up there right now and strip down and totally CRUSH her ego..."
Tess: "Well, you may not be good at math, but you're good at STRIPPING..."
McCarthy: "SHUT UP, WALMART!"
O'Dell: "Drink up, boys, and, listen up to 'Cherry Licorice' by the Felice Brothers, which can only mean that 'The Cobra', Peyton List, is on her way to the ring..."
Cassie: "Peyton's done very well for Front Street since she was signed last year. But, the bantamweight division around here is plenty crowded, so, she's definitely looking to get a result tonight..."
O'Dell: "List into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve to reveal that baby blue number she prefers, and, the ladies are about ready. Time for some picks. Tess likes Peyton. Mac?"
McCarthy: "Simpson's a smarta**! List!"
O'Dell: "Cassie?"
Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"
O'Dell: "And, we're underway. Simpson wasting no time coming forward, getting in the younger woman's grill, and making with the heavy leather. LOTS of hard shot being tossed by the older blonde right now, but this strategy can't be a surprise, can it, Mac?"
McCarthy: "Not at all. Simpson giving away reach here. She wouldn't want to sit outside and box even if her game wasn't power."
O'Dell: "And, right now, she's bringing that power to bear, backing up Peyton again and again with hard leather. List willing to play defense right now. She's banging back in spots, but only in spots. Playing defense, being careful the rest of the time. And, while that might be wise at the moment, it can be overdone..."
Cassie: "Ask Rose Namajunas about that..."
O'Dell: "Just fifteen seconds remaining in the first, and it's been a great round for Jessica, who's been in control throughout. Simpson working body in there now as the final ticks come off the clock. There's the bell. Not close at all. Simpson's going to take the points in this stanza."
Tess: "And, she also takes the 10-9 lead."
ROUND TWO:
O'Dell: "Simpson continuing to work past Peyton's defenses. List unable to keep the older blonde at range at the moment, and, the result is Jessica being right in her face, working her over to head and body. Peyton looking more than a little uncomfortable in there right now..."
Tess: "And, that's clearly what Jessica wants..."
O'Dell: "This is good stuff from Simpson. You wonder if she can keep this up if this goes rounds, but, she's clearly in great shape and showing no signs of slowing down, at least for the moment. NICE combination there by Simpson, backs up Peyton yet again..."
McCarthy: "The way this is going, nobody has to worry about it going rounds..."
O'Dell: "You may be right, Mac, because Simpson's landing hard shots a-plenty, and, once again, all List is able to do is bang back in spots. She's staying on the defensive, staying on the back foot, and Jessica's piling up points and punishment right to the bell. No doubt again. Simpson."
Cassie: "And, Jessica's lead is now 20-18."
ROUND THREE:
O'Dell: "Finally a tactical change from Peyton, as the taller blonde gets more aggressive. She's doubling and tripling up on the jab, using it to stop Simpson and then following on with hard right hands. Simpson being left out on the end of her rival's punches, which is not where she wants to be..."
Cassie: "But, it's exactly where Peyton wants her..."
O'Dell: "And, it's where List is KEEPING her, at least for the moment. Simpson still getting inside on occasion, and making good use of her time there, but we're mostly fighting on completely different terms right now, and those terms are far more friendly for the younger blonde."
Tess: "List really has a nice left jab. Quick and pretty heavy for this weight..."
O'Dell: "No doubt about that. We're coming down the stretch in the third, and Peyton's had much the better of things in this round. Good combination List and another and that backs Simpson up. Might be the first backward step Jessica's taken in the fight. And, there's the bell. Wide again. This time for Peyton."
McCarthy: "But Simpson still leads 29-28."
ROUND FOUR:
O'Dell: "Adjustment from Simpson now. Jessica into a half-crouch, working forward with the head tucked, avoiding that jab or catching it on the gloves, then getting in Peyton's grill and working her over again to head and body. Good stuff from the veteran right here, Mac..."
McCarthy: "This is why there's no substitute for experience!"
O'Dell: "List on the defensive. Giving ground, covering up, trying to slow this attack down somehow, but Simpson's getting a LOT of work done right now to both head and body. And, all that stuff to the body is going to have an effect at some point, you would think..."
Tess: "And, that's clearly the plan."
O'Dell: "Down to twenty seconds to go in the fourth, and, like in the first and second, it's been Jessica in control the entire way. Simpson going tummy, then back upstairs. Nice counter from List got the older woman's attention, and there's the bell. Jessica. Wide once again."
Cassie: "And, Simpson is back up two, 39-37."
ROUND FIVE:
O'Dell: "Simpson forward again, still in that half-crouch, keeping the head tucked, blocking and slipping the jabs, dipping past List's defenses and going back to work in the phone booth. Peyton firing back now, though. She's not going to Let Simpson control things in there..."
Cassie: "Holding her own pretty well."
O'Dell: "Indeed, she is, though Jessica is still getting a bit more done and SHE'S HURT! List with a short uppercut and Simpson's legs give a shimmy! List going all in now, backing Jessica into the ropes. Simpson covering up, hanging on, and GETTING DROPPED WITH A RIGHT HOOK!"
Tess: "NASTY punch. NASTY."
O'Dell: "List to a neutral corner. Simpson down on her right side, parallel to the ropes. Referee's count at three. Four. Five. Jessica not moving at all. Six. Seven. Not going to happen. Eight. Nine. TEN! It's OVER! Jessica is down and out and it's OVER and your winner by KO5 is 'The Cobra', Peyton List!"
AFTER:
O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"
Tess: "I have our winner, Peyton List, and, Peyton, things weren't going all that well for a while..."
Peyton (nodding): "Yeah. She was determined to get in there and bang. I wanted distance, but, after a while, I realized I was going to have to punch for respect. So, that's what I did."
Tess: "So, what's next for you?"
Peyton: "I want to stay busy. The regular work has been very important for me. I'm getting better every time out. So, I'm ready for whatever is next!"
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