Tale of the Tape:
Joan Smalls:
Age: 35
Height: 5'10 ½
W/L: 14-4 (14KOs)
Former BBU welterweight champion.
Vs
Alexina Graham:
Age: 33
Height: 5'11 ½
W/L: 7-4 (7KOs)

(Girls Friday Vs Free Agent)

(Written by Girls Friday/Results by Lookout!)

Intro:
Two Victoria Secret model alumni now do battle against each other. Former BBU welterweight champion Joan Small is looking to keep on her path back towards the title. Alexina Graham hasn't tasted gold yet but she knows a win over a former champion will get her closer to a chance at a title.

Before the contest both women were asked for a few words backstage. Joan Smalls was interviewed in her locker room as her stablemate Ivana Baquero is fighting. Joan telling the BBU TV interviewer Kate Abdo she can give her a few minutes with a smile as she stands in a white dressing gown.

"Boy I am so excited. I decided to take a backseat two years ago to Josephine (Skriver) so she could become a champion, I was so proud when she won the BBU title and I am sad she lost the belt. Now I feel ready to step back into the spotlight to try to reclaim my title" says Joan as she is beaming.

She then continues with "I should say that I respect Alexina a lot. Years ago we sparred and she was good then, of course she will be even better now. The thing is that I feel that if I test her chin we will see her crumble." Clenching her right fist with a wink as if to show what is coming her opponents way.

While Alexina did her interview earlier in the night in the back stage area. She is wearing a a pink blouse with black jeans and trainers. Kate gets a hug from her as they exchange pleasantries. Alexina admitting it feels way too long since she was in the BBU Arena.

Asked about the fight, Alexina replies "Joan is a former champion and a top fighter. This won't be easy but I am sick of being the bridesmaid around here. I have been close to getting title shots but keep losing as I am on the verge. Maybe after I beat Joan I will get a shot at the English title Leah Francis has."

Fighting time! First on the stage is Joan with her coach Taryn Terrell behind her. Joan looks to have an ice cold gaze aimed at the ring as she walks to it. She climbs into the ring wearing a black sports bra with gold trim, matching trunks and shoes, black gloves with gold thumbs, her hair tied into a braid. Banging her gloves together as she paces side to side in her corner looking ready for a fight alright.

Alexina walks down to the right now with her coach behind her. She waves to the crowd as she can't help but grin. She gets into the ring wearing a red sports bra with white trim, matching trunks and shoes, white gloves with red thumbs, her hair is braided too. Bouncing on her toes as she shuts her eyes to psyche herself up for the task ahead of her.

The referee waves the two fighters to the center of the ring. Both look intensely into each others eyes as this bout is important for them. They respectfully touch gloves before walking back to their corners. The bell rings to start 10 rounds of welterweight action.

Round 1:
Both women come out exchanging stiff jabs to start, some landing on the others gloves, others smacking straight into faces already. It isn't long till Joan tries a sweeping right hook that just finds air as Alexina dances back to range, peppering the cheeks of Joan in reply with a jab/straight to get her supporters cheering.

After a tensely fought opening minute; Joan manages to catch Alexina on her nose with a straight, a left cross follows to twist the head of Graham to make her back off. Now Smalls has her chance to work back her opponent towards the rope. Digging her fists into the body of Alexina to the delight of her corner crew.

Alexina nudges off Joan but can't get too far away from her. Alexina needing to keep her guard up tight as Joan is pressing the action. Joan stabs in more punches to the chest of the redhead to push her onto the ropes again. Alexina shelling up in the dying moments of the round as Joan looks to smack her with more power punches. Her guard holds up till the bell rings to end the round. Joan off to an impressive start but Alexina doesn't look too worried as she sits on her stool.

Round 2:
Alexina comes out looking to stick and move it seems. Both exchanging thudding punches in close till Alexina moves out back to the outside to pepper the cheeks of Joan with double jabs. Joan trying to press Alexina but getting clipped with short cross punches when she does.

As the round goes on Joan does start to get some success at muscling Alexina to the ropes, whacking away at her torso till Alexina manages to nudge her off and get back to a safe range to work. Keeping her jab square into the face of Joan to make her stay at a safe distance.

Late in the round with Joan showing a few hints of frustration as she misses with a few sweeping hooks. Alexina landing counter straight punches into her face up until the bell rings to end proceedings. Taryn telling Joan to keep her cool, while Alexina nods to her coach as they give her more advice on what to do to win this contest.

Round 3:
Resuming with their eyes locked; both is marking the others cheek up, though it's more noticeable on Alexina's porcelain like skin. Alexina slips a straight to land a counter right square into the face of Joan to knock her back a step. A four punch straight combination follows with jabs and straights slamming into the face of Joan to work her back onto her heels.

There's blood visible coming from the bottom lip of Joan as she finds herself on the ropes. Alexina working in hooks now as she plants her feet to work. Joan trying to fire back but decides it is best to hold onto her foe to slow her momentum. Both fighters grind cheeks till the referee physically breaks them apart.

Back at it they go with Joan looking more cautious. Alexina happy for that as she is outworking the former champion, plugging in as many punches to the body as she is up top to show off her elite skills. The bell soon rings to end the round with Joan looking to curse herself as she shakes her head. Taryn needing to telling her how to fix this as Alexina looks to be the one moving up gears in this fight.

Round 4:
Both women ram more straight punches through their opponents guard. Joan hissing each time a jab lands on her busted lip to cause more blood to run onto her chin and onto her chest. Joan catches Alexina near the end of the opening minute with a short left hook as the English fighter tries to step forwards to press her back.

An uppercut soon follows to knock back the head of Alexina. Who finds herself backed into a neutral corner. Joan looking to pound Alexina with hooks. Alexina takes a few clean shots but blocks several others before she can grab onto Joan to hold onto her. Forcing the referee to split them up as Joan has Alexina pinned against the turnbuckles to get into her head over who is stronger.

They resume with Alexina doubling up her jab to keep Joan back. That defensive style only holds back Joan for about twenty seconds before Joan deflects a jab to step in with one of her own into the chest of Alexina to knock her onto the ropes. Joan pins her down as she swarms her till the bell dings to end the round. Joan tapping her gloves together as she walks to her corner looking fired up.

Round 5:
Stepping back out with both landing more punches as they open up. Alexina annoying Joan with punches landing on the bloody lips. Joan lands a left hook in reply to send some sweat flying as Alexina's head is turned around. Joan looking to drive forwards but getting clipped with punches around her jaw to make her think about it.

Alexina slips a straight with a counter left hook landing on the ear of Joan to make her take a step back. Alexina pressing forwards now with a jab/straight to knock back the head of Joan. The Puerto Rican fighter finding herself on her heels as she is smacked around her cheeks by Graham.

On the ropes Joan uses her left forearm to nudge back Alexina. Firing back as both slug it out near the ropes. Joan trying to back up Alexina, problem is she is being met with solid shots back into her own face. The round soon ends with both women looking marked up and sweat dripping off their brows. Back they return to their stools with Alexina looking the more relaxed of the fighters.

Round 6:
Fighting around the center of the ring. Alexina doubling up her jab right away but Joan soon steps around it to land a right cross to the cheek of the redhead. Before Joan can get her rhythm going she is met by a left cross/straight combo to push her back to range. Both women looked to have stepped up a gear as they look to win this bout.

It's Alexina who looks to grab control with a double jab slicing through the guard of Joan to knock back her head. Joan finding herself forced to retreat back to the ropes. Alexina throwing in hooks around the guard of her opponent. Joan taking several hits around to her cheeks. The supporters of Alexina roaring her on.

A nudge to the chest of Alexina creates space between them. Joan catches the English fighter landing a harpoon like right into the belly button of Alexina. That looked to wind Graham as her cheeks turn red. Joan pounding more body shots in as she muscles back her opponent to the opposite set of ropes. Alexina has to clinch up to stop her body being beaten as she grits her gumshield.

The bell soon rings to end a round where both were hurt at times. Alexina is taking in deep breaths as she definitely was winded there. Joan meanwhile winces when her bottom lip is patched up. Both stare hard at each other before pushing to their feet for the next round.

Round 7:
Exchanging stiff punches as Alexina looks to beat Joan around her head. The former champion meanwhile is trying to use feints to open to her up. Both women not as much on their toes, digging them into the canvas to thrust through with their punches as leather cracks on sweat soaked skin.

Joan catches Alexina on her nose with a jab to push her back a step. Joan follows with another clean right to the body to make the English fighter gasp as her eyes half shut in agony. More piston like body shots follow as Alexina is bullied back into a neutral corner. Alexina tries to hold onto her but is pushed back by a left to her chest. IT SEEMS THAT ONE TOO MANY RIGHTS INTO THE BELLY BUTTON OF ALEXINA HAVE TAKEN THERE TOLL! ALEXINA GOES DOWN TO HER KNEES HOLDING HER BODY!

Walking to the neutral corner across the ring, Joan can't help but smile as she knows she is in a tough fight here. 1....2....3....4... Alexina spits out her gumshield to breath harder. 5....6... Cheeks flushed red as she is fighting back tears. 7....8....9....10 Alexina can't find the strength to beat the count!

Winner Joan Smalls KO Round 7

After:
Over comes Joan to her opponent, checking on Alexina to show there isn't any malice here between them. Alexina nods to Joan that she will be okay, right now she is more focused on getting her breathing back under control as she her coach gets into the ring to help her.

Joan walks back to her corner and gives Taryn a fist bump before she sits on her stool. Joan looking relieved to have overcome this test. Taryn wipes her face down and her body. Taryn praises Joan but makes sure to let her know there are things she needs to improve upon so she doesn't get too ahead of herself on this comeback run.

Across the ring Alexina is on her stool knowing that she missed a big opportunity here to score another big win in her career. She looks at her blood stained gloves as they come off and it really sinks in as she sees that she hurt Joan at times. Her coach needing to console her and make sure she nods that tomorrow is another day.

Both women walk to the middle of the ring for the final result to be announced. Joan getting her left hand raised in victory as she Alexina nods. They share a friendly handshake after but Alexina looks keen to test Joan again someday as she stares with a hint of intensity in her eyes.

Alexina leaves the ring with some help from her coach. She waves to her fans as she gets her name chanted by some. Joan even applauds her from the ring as there is a lot of respect around Graham. The bigger picture is that she needs to prove she can do it at the highest level. An English title fight might be out of the frame after this so we will most likely be seeing her rebuilding herself for the time being.

Joan meanwhile is two and zero on this run. She walks around the inside of the ring blowing kisses to the crowd. She looks more relaxed in herself after this victory. It will be intriguing to see who she faces off with next as she tries to get back into the title picture. With Romee Strijd right now the end goal with the gold she once held.