Neriah Fisher versus Caylee Cowan

(Results: Lookout. Words: Wiz)

BEFORE:

Pair of promising young bantams squaring off here, with both looking to get a win and get back on track. Cowan burst on the FCBA scene in 2020 with three straight impressive wins, and, since the most impressive of those, over Natalie Alyn Lind in January of 2021, she's lost five in a row, as opponents have game-planned effectively for her pressure tactics. Fisher, meanwhile, has alternated wins and losses since her debut last December, with the most recent effort being a spanking at the hands of Troi Bellisario. But, if neither of these two beauties is coming off a win, both are showing plenty of confidence that things are about to turn around.

"Yeah, I've been in a slump," says the blonde with a smile. "But, that ends tonight when Neriah EATS CANVAS."

"Here's what it comes down to," says Fisher. "I'm better than her, and I'll prove it."

ROUND ONE:

No surprise early as Fisher sets up at range with plans to box...and Caylee's having none of it. Cowan works forward, past the jab, gets inside, and begins banging away, making the younger woman hella uncomfortable. Fisher tries tying up and backing up and everything but firing back in kind, as she's desperate to get some space, space the blonde has absolutely ZERO intention of allowing her. Instead, Caylee's right in Neriah's grill, working her over to head and body and leading to Fisher looking pleadingly at mom in her corner, while Burke shouts for her to get the feet moving and start punching. Late in the round, Fisher heeds that advice and manages a respite from the blonde's assault, but, it's far too little and much too late to matter on the cards. The first goes to Cowan and wide, as Caylee takes the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Better for Fisher. She's moving the feet, giving ground here and there, keeping the jab in Cowan's face as Caylee looks to work past her defenses and get inside. Now, Neriah's still not doing well when the blonde's in her grill, but, that's to be expected, as Caylee's plenty good inside. But, the brunette's getting the range she wants in spots, and, when she does, she's doing enough to offset what Cowan's getting done in the phone booth. Result is a good, two-way round in which neither beauty is able to gain much of an advantage. Going into the final thirty seconds, there's nothing in it at all. And, that's when Fisher pulls a veteran move and gets VERY busy, firing off a series of quick flurries at her blonde opponent, flurries that throw Caylee to the defensive and score just enough to give Neriah the points by the slimmest of margins, evening the cards at 19.

ROUND THREE:

More two-way stuff, and, it all comes down to which fighter is getting the terms she wants. Unlike in the first round, when the blonde was able to close and bang with the brunette pretty much at will, Fisher's doing a better job of keeping Cowan off, using the feet and the left hand to create space. And, when they're working at range, Neriah's getting much the better of things, putting punches together well and scoring in bunches. But, when Cowan's in Fisher's grill, it's all Caylee, as she works head and body, knocks her rival off balance, and generally makes her very, very uncomfortable. And, much like in the previous round, things are close throughout, with no one able to establish any sort of control. At the bell, though, it's Caylee who's gotten a bit more done, taking the points close and moving back into the lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

More of the same. Cowan working forward to crowd Fisher, then get physical with her, banging both head and body. Neriah trying to keep these engagements short, tying up, slipping away, getting the jab going and the feet moving, working on the move. Then. BOOM! Everything changes with one punch as FISHER CATCHES COWAN A GOOD ONE AND CAYLEE IS HURT! Neriah times a right hand as the blonde pushes forward and Cowan is STAGGERED, while Neriah, smelling blood in the water, is ALL IN! She's winging away with both hands, backing up the blonde, working her over, looking to finish this thing. Caylee with the guard high, all defense, backed to the ropes and taking, hanging on, running clock as the ref looks in. Final seconds see a NASTY right from Neriah wobble Cowan again, but, before the ref can act, the bell rings, leaving the blonde to fight another day. As for Fisher, she's taken the round wide and evened things at 38, but, she's clearly thinking bigger.

ROUND FIVE:

Fisher's the one coming forward now, and she's doing it plenty soundly. She's walking the blonde down behind the left hand, taking full advantage of Cowan's iffy legs to punish her to both head and body, looking to finish this thing. Neriah's sitting down on her punches, but tamping down the urge to just let the hands go, wary of a possible dangerous counter from the power-hitting blonde that might turn the fight on its axis. Instead, Fisher gives her rival a thorough beating, staying active, keeping the hard shot coming...BOOM! Right hand, NERIAH and DOWN GOES CAYLEE! Cowan crumples face first to the canvas, probably more from the accumulation of shot than of the right hand that felled her. Fisher to a neutral corner, hands raised. Ref counting down on the blonde. Caylee gamely to hands and knees at seven, but that's as far as she can get before the count passes her by! It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Neriah Fisher!

AFTER:

Fisher scuffed but smiling. It's definitely a big win for the brunette, who continues to show improvement every time out. "She wanted to get in there and bully me," says Neriah, shaking her head. "I knew she'd try that. But, it didn't work and it won't work. And, anyone who tries to do that in the future is going to get what Caylee got!"