Emily Vancamp versus Troian Bellisario
(With snark contributions from Special Guest Writer)

BEFORE: This is definitely one of the premiere matches on the card, with a lot of interest around the league in how the Pretty Little Punchers will fare in their follow-up following their well-received debut against HISC. While Emily VanCamp might be favored, Troian definitely showed real class against Danes and shows no signs of being intimidated by EVC. No physical animosity between the two as they head up to the podium, but they meet at the top before sitting down. The two of them chest up against one another, eyes meeting coolly, face to face and nose-to-nose. Neither of them retreating for a moment, just looking over one another sizing up their opponent and as it appeared, playing a game of mental chess. From the blazing staredown the two were exchanging, both Emily and Troian were probably several steps ahead of the room. The two of them had lips curling up in soft smirks before, as if by mutual agreement, the two of them shoved each other apart and headed to their respective seats.

Emily VanCamp speaks first: “This has been a long time coming. I've been after Troian for quite a while, but the Pretty Little Liars have closed ranks to delay me. Shay Mitchell set me back in my plans for conquest of the PLL, but I will not be denied. Before, I've beat the Vampire Diaries, so irrespective of their wishes, I'll be taking down the Pretty Little Punchers starting with Troi. I've been following Troian for a long time – for example, if you go back and check the video over her win over January Jones, you'll see me there, studying her every move. But, that means I've been studying her for a long time and I know just how to pick her apart. No disrespect to Troian – I think she may be the best that the PLL has to offer, but the simple fact is I'm better. Much better. Too bad for Troi.”

In the audience, you can see Nina Dobrev and Candice Accola – arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Annalyne McCord and Aly Michalka sit a few seats down – smirking at seeing the veiled insult tossed towards the Vampire Diaries stars. However, they and a few other interested celeb parties, definitely look up as Troian responds.

“It’s funny, everyone’s talking about how much pressure I’m under going into this fight, everyone’s talking about the need to strangle PLL in their cradle because apparently we’re going to rise up and crush the flyweight and bantam ranks if we develop unchecked. So the Consortium, in a move designed to gloss over the fact that everyone but Claire has had a craptacular year, sent its star-studded hit squad against the four of us. Everyone knows how that went down and guess what? Aside from some highlight reel footage for Krissy K to play back when she’s crying into a tub of Rocky Road after Beauty & the Beast gets cancelled, the only thing that came out of it was a knot on Lucy’s head. And you know what? It’s already started to heal. Let me make this perfectly clear to any and all who think they’re going to get an easy win at our expense. We’re not going anywhere. Doesn’t matter if the overrated, PAMPERED tramps of 90210 or the overrated plastic fantastics of Vamgina Monologues, excuse me, Vampire Diaries, align against us, we’ll survive and more importantly, we will thrive.”

Bellisario paused to catch her breath, quietly basking in the hate radiating her way from the CW sector of the crowd. “And that brings me to Emily VanCamp. The pundits and wags out there were so eager to crow about how I only went seven rounds with Claire and yet none of them have brought up the fact that this ‘Sure Thing’, you know, the one that two of the most domineering stables in the FCBA went to war for? They all seem to have forgotten the fact that her last two fights have gone a grand total of ten rounds and she was sleeping at the end of both. You want to talk about pressure? Em’s too cool to show it at the podium, but she’s getting it from all sides. Minka, Elisha, Leighton and of course that capering slut bag Neens and her spineless winged monkey, Candice Accola. They’re ALL lining up to pile onto ol’ Dead Eyes. Give the Devil its due, Lookout is STACKED at bantam and suddenly VanCamp’s looking down the barrel of being just another failed draft pick. My road back to Claire Danes starts here. It won’t be easy. Emily might be in a slump right now, but anyone who really doubts her efficacy just needs to ask Jordana Brewster what she brings to a boxing ring. But here’s the thing, Em’s. Your gloves don’t scare me. Your glares don’t scare me. And your threats sure as HELL don’t scare me. No matter the outcome of this fight, be it a ten round decision or thunderclap KO, I’m not done with Emily after one go, it’s too much fun punching that smug look off her face.”

Troian stepped away from the podium, made to leave, then changed her mind. “One other thing,” she said to those assembled, “there’s an old saying that goes ‘whatever doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. That’s all well and good for motivational speakers, but I like my version better. Whatever doesn’t kill me… better start running.”

Somewhere out there, Kelly Clarkson wasn't happy. Neither, by the look on her face, was Emily VanCamp. The assembled press turned back to Emily to see whether she would step forward to respond and she certainly did, moving to the podium with an icy glare, “I'm not going to discuss Troian's misperceptions about the security of my place within Lookout! Boxing, which is absolute, for one second or the accuracy of her paranoia regarding the entire FCBA allegedly coming after her. Who is coming after her and Shay is me. Emily Van Camp. Right now. I don't care whether Troian is scared of me. The simple fact is she should be and she will be. A lot of people declare me “cocky” or “the snootiest blonde in boxing.” But it's just confidence. I know what I can do and I know what I will do – which is take down Troian Bellisario. She is right about one thing though – I don't plan on being done with her after one fight. Now, whether she'll back for more punishment is up to her. If I were her, once I'm finished delivering her well-deserved beating, I'd stay out of my way. That'll be the safest place for you, Troi – just Stay. Out. Of. My. Way. Understand?”

The two of them get up, exchanging the coolest of stares at one another, getting right into one another's face, with Troi making it clear she has no intention of staying out of Emily's way and Emily, on the other hand, has no plans of running. In regards to Twitter, #BetterStartRunning and #StayOutOfMyWay were trending high after their respective speeches.

Emily VanCamp clad in a teal bikini with matching gloves – hair in a tight ponytail that cascades to her shoulders; Troian Bellisario wearing a dark blue bikini with matching gloves, hair also in a fighting ponytail.

Both girls touch gloves without incident, apart from another intense stare down as neither fighter will take their eyes off each other as they retreat back to each of their corners, eager for the fight ahead.

R1: Both Emily and Troian wade in cautiously, both of these fighters coming closer and approaching each other mid-ring with their gloves up and eyes flickering in cool, focused determination. Emily pushing off of her right foot, pivoting around Troian and working towards her opponent with speedy combinations, leaning forward to batter her gloves down around Troian's ribcage to work the body early. Troian, on the other hand, favoring straight combinations of one-two punches towards Emily's head. Early on in the round, one of her gloves sneaks through to catch Emily right in the face to send her back down to the canvas on her rear. Emily quickly rises to her feet, but Troian pounces on her from the moment she's back on her feet. Troian bodies her back to the ropes, just using those one-two combinations to tattoo VanCamp's ribcage and torso to beat her ragged until the bell sounds. Emily's face is stunned, a mask of shock, as she staggers wobbly-butt to her corner at the bell in a huge Troian round for the first.

R2: Emily VanCamp battles back as the two head to the center of the ring, with both of them seeking to maneuver around the other and cut off any routes of retreat. Neither of them backing down as they continue to negotiate, just raking each over with scrubbing hooks and rangy jabs to body. Pushing one another around the ring, determined to take control, trading speedy combinations and displaying good footwork in a technical display that fans are clearly enjoying. Sliding around the ring, playing tic-tac-toe, mixing up their attacks, dipping their gloves down low and then switching up high to keep each other off balance. Down the stretch though, in the final minute, it's Emily who manages to surprise Belliario with a quick hook to her tummy, doubling her over slightly and a straight left to her face, with the combination of blows sending Troian down to her derriere now. Dazed, Troian manages to get back to her feet before the count, but Emily pushes her back to the ropes at the bell but doesn't get to do much more. However, the knockdown answered Troian's success and that will send a message on all its own as VanCamp bumps shoulders with Troian on the way to her corner.

R3: The pace definitely picks up after the two traded knockdowns in the previous round, increasing the tempo as the two head right to the center of the ring for another blistering exchange. Emily the aggressor, leggy about the ring, constantly harassing Troian by tagging her tummy, sending left and right hooks from her hips to hammer against her torso. Seeking to work Troian over, but Bellisario keeps pace, and then some. Troian countering nicely, ringing up Emily with some sneaky clipping shots and jabs to keep Emily from getting into the offense that she'd prefer. Emily tries to slide around Bellisario to catch her from some different angles, but Bellisario patient, stuffing in right hand to VanCamp's breadbasket or slamming in a quick shot to Emily's temple. Troian's attacks are definitely disruptive and smart, outboxing and outworking Emily down the stretch, to everyone's surprise but Troian's. Troian takes another round and the opportunity to bump shoulders with Emily heading back to her corner.

R4: Troian immediately lunges forward, loading up and attacking EVC early in the round, coming forward behind that one-two jab again. Penetrating VanCamp's defenses, she pokes her glove right into Emily's face, spooking her and sending her backpedaling towards the ropes. Pouring through Emily's defenses, she keeps after her blonde opponent to send her gloves lathering around VanCamp's head and shoulders. Troian is just continuing to rake her gloves across Emily's forearms and chest as she covers up in the ropes, clearly dazed under the barrage from Bellisario, although manages to fight back with some left and rights, whacking away at Troian's torso. Troian is relentless though, still punching through the gaps, catching Emily with an overhand cross that sends Emily DOWN to the mats with a thud in the final minute. Emily spilling down horizontal to the ropes, but manages to beat the count and bell, shaking her head as Troian sends Emily down again. VanCamp's corner is definitely concerned and rattled, reminding Emily that she's been studying Troian all this time. Clearly, Troian has been studying her too and that definitely motivates VanCamp coming into the next round.

R5: Emily comes out, eager to reset the direction of the match as she pressures Troian from behind the jab, eager to punish Troian now as she bobs and weaves, stalking Troian across the ring. Guard up, elbows out, just constantly manuevering with those one-two combinations that Troian used to vex her earlier. Troian shut out this round, trying to bend down and present a smaller target, sending her gloves out towards VanCamp's abs, but Emily keeps buffeting Troian around the head and shoulders, preventing her from getting any kind of offense as she slams leather into her foe's face. It's a classy round of boxing for EVC, just using that jab to outbox Troian this time around.