Posted by Bonzo on 1/4/2011, 9:11 am

Before: A lot on the table for hot young welters – both coming off tough losses in fights they could have been winning. Cassidy Freeman, of Smallville fame and one of the strongest bodies at lightweight, takes another tour at welter, although after Amanda Righetti she’s relegated to a more little-known welter out of the Bonzo gym – plans to go straight from knocking out Biel to knocking out Amanda to get a good shot at title business in either division dashed for now.

Freeman exceeded expectations in the Righetti fight, doing significant body damage, dominating a lot of rounds – never goes out without taking the other girl to the limit first. The ‘going out’ is what’s worrying. She’s reached a point where people are seriously questioning her long-time potential – she needs to answer those questions, in this fight, and in the whole of 2011. Nobody doubts her physicality, but some folks are starting to say that Cass doesn’t lose good fights because she’s unlucky, but because she lacks the true spirit of a great fighter.

Law wants to rise up in the gym of her stable. She’s picked on Nadia Bjorlin as a target in the press and in the gym. Normally doing something like that to a multi-time champion and long-established welter top name would lead to ridicule, maybe firing – says a lot about Bjorlin’s botched year – early exit in the welter tournament, later thrashed by Regan – that the mutiny by a newcomer hasn’t been put out with authority by now. Obviously the fight is going to happen soon – it is planned to take place at the next official PPV – Law using every good fight she can as buildup/training for the big brunette. ‘But I won’t make the mistake I did in the Lancaster fight’, she makes clear. ‘I’m not thinking about anybody else while I’m in the ring with Cassidy’. Asked to assess her opponent, Katrina’s a little more reserved: ‘She’s strong, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Cassidy really be a good boxer in the ring – this is certainly going to be a grueling, damaging fight, and of course I’ve seen Cassidy’s fights against Jessica, Amanda or Erica – but I’m not just about the physical – I’m gonna prove I’m better than her. She has strength – I have strength, smarts, technique and much more.’

‘Smarts?’, Cassidy laughs. ‘You mean the kind of smarts that lead you right into a baited Sarah Lancaster KO punch, falling for the same silly act she pulled on you, like, three rounds before? Yeah, that was smart, Katrina – sure. You know, I love girls like Katrina. They give you a lot of bullsh- in these press conferences before the fight. Is she actually talking serious about taking Nadia Bjorlin’s place in her stable? What has she done that would not immediately make anybody who knows boxing break down in laughter? She’s a nobody – she hasn’t fought any truly great names ¬– and now she stages a mutiny against a legendary multi-time champion? My feeling is we won’t be hearing any more from that clown after Nadia lays her out for a sweet KO1 – and I’ve got no problem laying out the groundwork for Nadia in this fight – I’ll beat her into a wreck, then let Nadia mop up and kill her for good – then I can move against Bjorlin. That’s the real fight you should be talking about.’

Strong, sturdy welters in for an electric battle – stakes are high, they suitably dislike each other already, both are hungry, vying for welter attention – leaving the other behind in ruins the clear goal for this fight. Law in her Spartacus shape – broad-shouldered, beefy/broad back, muscled – Freeman not any less impressive with her athletic physique – in a division that is still filled with a lot of women close to or in their 40s who grew into welters by law of nature it’s a refreshing look to see two young hotties sporting those thick bodies.

R1: Tall, built welters circling each other, clearly testing the other’s legs and strength. Close round – slight advantage to Law using her jab to take initiative. Strong, quick jabs for Katrina all round, while Freeman stays more inactive, allowing her opponent to trade with her on Law’s terms. Katrina takes a close round on activitiy – nothing fancy happening – despite all the wild talk before there IS a lot of respect for each other’s punches.

R2: Freeman getting her pumping jab into the action now – outpunches Katrina’s respective attempts at jabbing for dominance. Active Cassidy powerfully walking her foe backwards, authoritative, strong and quick hands have Katrina stepping away, rocked in spots. Redhead exchanging her jabs with thudding rights that get into Law’s chest. Katrina shuddering under the impact – body’s getting punched and punished. Freeman backs Katrina into the ropes, slugs her. In the pocket: Freeman loves body to body, toe to toe, shoulder to shoulder – redhead steadily forward, really getting to Katrina here, has her hurt by the end of the round. Law concerned, pretty reduced by the multitude and the average punching power behind Cassidy’s attacks.

R3: Turnaround: Now Law is outjabbing Freeman, showing these two are on even physical terms, now it’s Katrina’s punches that have Cassidy lumping up, slowing down. Fight stays mid-ring, as the brunette uses her jabs carefully to prevent a full-out body battle. Katrina will occasionally allow Cassidy to engage in series of toe-to-toe exchanges – redhead eager to get close on her foe, trying to bash Katrina into doing what she wants her to – doesn’t always work. Katrina shearing off to the side before Freeman can wade all in. Cute angles Law have Cassidy hitting air at times, taking a step too late – Katrina making her move her feet – doing quite a clever job keeping Freeman occupied, busy while keeping the battle on her own terms. Good punches for Cassidy when she does get close, but you gotta like how Katrina’s obviously having ideas here, thinking/trying out.

R4: Question of who is using her jab and who isn’t is shaping the course of the fight: it’s Law setting tempo via the jab again, so Freeman has to go Law’s tempo, always reacting instead of initiating. That’s looking pretty good for Katrina: she’s able to hurt Freeman with quick attacks, hooking her flank, bunching up her torso. Compact and strong punches – combined uppercuts, short left/short right, clipping Cassidy’s body, testing her legs. Slightly wobbly Freeman forming peek-a-boo, on the defensive, visibly hurt by the accumulation of Law’s action this round. Final minute: Freeman bashing out of the ropes, furiously and bravely getting herself back into compete mode, punching Law off-stance – it’s still Katrina’s round, though.

R5: Law using her powerful jab to yield initiative, allowing her to tame strong Freeman – it’s her tempo, her terms, her fight. Cassidy relegated to defending herself which she does with effective power. Sweeping offensive Law has the redhead scowling, grimly whacking at Katrina to get her to back off. Freeman’s strong blasts enough to prevent Law from thinking about any finishing runs – gritty welter battle slowly going Katrina’s way still. Katrina targets Cassidy’s abs, biceps – Freeman covers up earmuff – abusing her, collecting points as well as harming Cassidy’s long-term strength. Pretty redhead disheveled, sweaty, face showing war-signs by the bell - Freeman’s not quite able to get into her groove on this night yet, letting Katrina force her fight upon her. Corner wants Cass to get inside, trade on equal terms to harm Law – Cass not able to do that just now.

R6: Law coming out strong and confident, hoping to get right back going at fading Cass – that’s not what Freeman has planned. Redhead’s pounding Law with everything she’s got, right from the bell. Early on Cassidy jabs-with, out-punching her foe. Katrina in close, getting clobbered and belted about her head, moving backwards with a frown. Freeman applying a steady, heavy rhythm of jabs to move forward, once close, shocks Law with the body damage! Smiled wiped off brunette’s face – she’s punched sick this round. All-body work-over from Freeman – doing damage to Law’s arms, shoulders especially. Stays like that to the bell: ALL Cassidy.

R7: Law trying to put down Freeman’s uprising immediately – comes out wildly swinging, just whacking away at her opponent. VICIOUS hitting into Freeman's gut has the redhead in pain, short on punches, walked down by Katrina. Law all over Freeman’s body, just ramming and hammering away at her foe. Poor Cassidy sliding along hurt – but punching back! Stunning toe-to-toe going Law’s way, but Cassidy’s sturdy frame is remaining upright – refusing to bend. Incredible legs, Freeman – Katrina can’t get her to even go wobbly-butt! What furious punching power – brunette calm and cool trying to break down Freeman’s body, using the hardest punches she’s ever thrown. Freeman’s still standing! Shocked Law unable to grasp how Freeman’s not going down – monster stamina from Cassidy, although she’s obviously being pasted here.

R8: Freeman enters the round brave and stubborn, but the brutality of last round’s beatdown has her legs finally shabby – Freeman’s wading into the battle hurt badly. Law smart enough to initiate toe-to-toe here, knowing that Freeman probably can't afford to swap punch for punch at the moment. Cassidy stubborn – going shoulder to shoulder with heavy-hitting brunette. Freeman’s landing punches on Katrina – bombing away on her biceps, getting a good uppercut on the chin in. But oh what she’s taking here! Bombs landing on her body, shaking her up, rocking her. Close action – normally Freeman’s strongest suit – but Law’s using her power up!

Law starting to dominate the toe-to-toe! Katrina is giving Cass a dose of her own medicine – wild body slug-out too much for the weakened redhead! Freeman cannot take it anymore – sliding backwards, staggering or tottering under Katrina’s onslaught. Desperate Freeman! Eyes dimming, body drained, face battered – trying to hit back but Katrina’s merciless – drifting her right hands on the chin! Cassidy just being stacked up for punishment by the ropes, proud redhead rallying on her last energy. Katrina’s left hand cripples Freeman to the body – right hand hitting her at the side of her head loosens her for good! Head splashing backwards – glassy expression – Cassidy collapses forward into the mat! Law stepping out to let Freeman slide down in a battered heap at her feet – cleanly knocked out for good – KO8 Katrina Law.

After: Katrina triumphs in what may be her best performance yet – no lucky punches, no shocking mistakes – just winning more rounds, breaking Cassidy down, taking her out when she was ready – impressive. Her freckled face all sparkly, bubbly, looking at big Cass getting groggily led to her corner, all but a tamed amazon in wretched condition – this is extremely tough for the proud redhead. Freeman criticized for her defensiveness – after a very good jab-heavy round 2 she pretty much let Law take the fight and lead it wherever she wanted. Freeman’s always tough – but Katrina’s probably the kind of girl she should beat if she wants to set herself off, get attention. Cassidy hasn’t quite fulfilled her potential yet – going 2-6 with this.

So, does Katrina really think she’s ready for Nadia Bjorlin? ‘Sure!’, she says. ‘I’m pretty excited about facing Nadia soon – when I came in at Bonzo’s she was really arrogant, you know, treating me like a third-class sparring partner for her to pound out – but I’m here to accomplish something. Titles, yeah – why not? If Nadia can’t accept other good welters at her gym, I’ll have to pound some sense into her.’