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Vanessa Hudgens versus Billie Eilish (Flyweight Title)
(Results: Lookout. Words: Wiz)
BEFORE:
Not a lot of hype needed for this one. In one corner, you have Eilish, the challenger, who's just turned 22 and already has 24 FCBA wins, including a whopping TEN KOs in the first three rounds, and four KO1s. In the other corner is 'Nessa, the champion, a SIX time Unified Flyweight Champion and Hall of Famer with over 100 FCBA wins and nearly 100 FCBA knockouts, one half of the greatest rivalry in FCBA history. And, as usual, the champion is, understandably, brimming with confidence. "She's beaten some girls," Hudgens admits with a shrug. "But, she hasn't beaten ME. And, she's not GOING to."
If 'Nessa isn't exactly pouring out respect for Billie, the challenger's take is a bit different. "Everyone knows she's the measuring stick in this division," the younger brunette says. "Until you've beaten Vanessa, you aren't an elite flyweight. Well. I become an elite flyweight tonight."
ROUND ONE:
'Nessa on the move from the very start, using the jab and circle routine, using all that quickness and athleticism. Thing is, Billie, a former dancer, is one of the few flyweights who's every bit as athletic as Hudgens. But, even Eilish has no answers when Vanessa's got everything clicking, and she's got it all clicking right away. She's bouncin' and misbehavin', snapping that jab, circling, turning the younger woman, stopping to pop with some nice combinations. Eilish reduced to the counter, and she scores some with it, but it's Hudgens who's in control from the opening bell to the end of the first, leaving no doubt about the points. It's 'Nessa wide and up 10-9.
ROUND TWO:
Eilish adjusting. She's not trying to match footwork and box with now. She's stepping to, cutting the ring, bringing 'Nessa to battle. And, that works, after a fashion. Because, the thing is, Hudgens can fight pitched battles, too. And, very, very well. Result of all this is that, not only does Vanessa score when she's able to stay on the move, she holds her own in the exchanges. As the round goes on, however, Billie's getting more and more of what she wants. She never hurts Vanessa and never gets anywhere near taking control of the proceedings, but she does do enough to, very narrowly, claim the points and even things at 19 after two.
ROUND THREE:
Hudgens does the adjusting. 'Nessa's on her bicycle from the beginning of the round, bouncing, circling, jabbing, giving ground here, reversing there, leading Billie a merry chase. Again, Eilish is every bit as quick and athletic as Hudgens, but, NOBODY adds quite as much "slick" to that combination as 'Nessa. Billie's game, trying to match footwork, trying to cut, trying to angle, trying to get something going. But, she mostly can't. Again, she's reduced to the counter while 'Nessa fights lead, controls things, piles up points. For the second time in three rounds, when the bell rings, there's no doubt about it. It's the champion and it's wide and Hudgens leads 29-28.
ROUND FOUR:
Eilish upping the aggression now. She's working forward, trying to cut the ring, doing anything she can to slow down Vanessa. BOOM! Hudgens with a RIGHT HAND and BILLIE IS HURT! Eilish stumbles backward, nearly goes down, and Vanessa goes all in! Champion winging away with both hands looking to end this thing and DOWN GOES BILLIE! A straight right sends the challenger crashing to her back! 'Nessa to a neutral corner to watch and wait. Billie to hands and knees at six, pushes to her feet and nine, takes the mandatory, and ON COMES HUDGENS! Vanessa batters the younger brunette into the ropes and HAMMERS AWAY looking to finish. Billie hanging on desperately as the ref looks closely, barely makes it to the bell. When it rings, Hudgens has taken the round 10-8 and now leads 39-36.
ROUND FIVE:
Hudgens dominant. Eilish is buzzed, unsteady, and Vanessa takes advantage. She's the one stepping to now, backing up the younger woman with hard right hands. Billie playing defense, giving ground, taking a thorough beating. 'Nessa trying to put an end to this, all while very effectively cleaning up. Billie's doing next to nothing, but she is managing to run clock and stay off the ropes, at least until the final minute, when the older woman pins her to the cables and works her over. Again, Eilish is keeping the guard high, hanging on, doing just enough to keep the ref from stopping the thing. At the bell, Billie's still on her feet, but the champ's pitched a shutout and leads 49-45 at the half.
ROUND SIX:
More 'Nessa early. She's taking the fight to Eilish, but, as Billie firms up her defenses and shakes the worst of the damage, Hudgens changes tactics and gets back to the stick and move. Billie, aware that she's down big, gets after her rival aggressively. She's staying sound, but she's going after the champion, bringing pressure, forcing exchanges, forcing Vanessa back. Slowly, Billie makes up the early stagger, and, in the final 30 seconds, she manages to pull slightly ahead as she tosses heavy leather that keeps Hudgens on the defensive. At the bell, it's very close, but the challenger has gotten back on the board. She still trails big, though, 58-55 with just four rounds to go.
ROUND SEVEN:
Billie pressuring early and BOOM! A straight right from the challenger and 'NESSA IS RUMBLIN', STUMBLIN', FUMBLIN' around the ring! Eilish immediately calling in artillery strikes, backing up a reeling Hudgens. She's tossing everything in the magazine at the champion, looking to claim those belts right here in the seventh round. But, 'Nessa is 'Nessa, a crafty, slick veteran. She's hurt and wobbly-legged, but she knows how to play defense, run clock, even when backed to the ropes. Champ invites the challenger to dig some body. Billie accepts, banging away at abs and ribs, then going back upstairs to try to finish. Ref looks in closely, but, no dice. At the bell, Hudgens has ridden it out, and, while Billie's pitched the shutout, 'Nessa still leads 67-65.
ROUND EIGHT:
Eilish pushing forward. Hudgens playing this smart. The legs are coming back around now, but she's not going to take chances. She's got the lead and she's not going to trade with a power-hitter like Billie who's looking to punch her way back into the fight. Instead, 'Nessa moves, snaps the jab, circles, stays away from power as much as she can. Eilish is clearly having the better of things, scoring effectively with both hands, but 'Nessa's running clock, slowly regaining the spring in her step. If she has to sacrifice points to do it, well, that's a trade she's willing to make. When the bell finally rings, there's no doubt about the result of the eight. It's Billie wide. But, 'Nessa's shaken the damage and still leads 76-75.
ROUND NINE:
Hudgens back to the jab and circle. She's got the legs back now, and she's back fighting on her terms. Eilish slowly in pursuit, working forward, angling, looking to cut the ring. 'Nessa making that very difficult to do, all while piling up points...BOOM! Right hand, EILISH AND HUDGENS IS HURT AGAIN! Billie winging away with both hands now, calling in all the reserves in one last push. Hudgens backing and covering and GOING DOWN AFTER A LEFT HOOK! 'Nessa down on her left side. Billie to a neutral corner. Referee counting down on the champion. Hudgens pushing to all fours at seven, pushing to her feet at eight and STUMBLING BACK TO THE CANVAS AT NINE! It's OVER! Hudgens can't beat the count and it's OVER! And your winner by KO9 and the NEW Unified Flyweight Champion is Billie Eilish!
AFTER:
Eilish not looking like a girl who's just won a fight. She's scuffed and puffy but also jubilant, with a belt over each shoulder and one around her waist. "She gave me everything she had," Billie says with a smile. "I took it all and just kept coming. It was far from easy, but I got her and I got THESE. Let's see who wants to try and take them." |
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